FIFTY years ago today a motoring legend was born in Oxford.

The first Mini to roll off the production line emerged from the Cowley car plant on May 8, 1959, ready for its debut on forecourts later that summer.

Half a century later, and having spawned more than 5,300,000 descendents in a 41-year lifespan, that original car came back to its birthplace.

The sparkling classic — which was given the registration plate 621 AOK — is owned by the Heritage Motor Centre in Gaydon, near Banbury, and has done just over 40,000 miles.

Current BMW worker Ian Cummings, from Abingdon, who is one of four generations of his family to have worked at the Cowley plant, greeted the car with affection yesterday.

The 57-year-old said: “I joined what was Pressed Steel Fisher in August 1969, so it’s 40 years this summer.

“I’m the third generation and my son is the fourth generation, although he worked here during his summer holidays from university.

“My paternal grandfather started working in this factory in the 1940s. My father started in Morris Motors in 1959 and my mum worked in what was the trim shop of Morris Motors, sewing the seat covers on the original Minis.

“It’s 50 years now since the first Mini rolled off the production line in what was Morris Motors in 1959 and we’re fortunate enough now to produce the new Mini in what was the old Pressed Steel building.

Mr Cummings said the car will be forever linked to Oxford.

He said: “You only need to drive past the factory and you instantly recognise it as the Mini factory — it’s part of the landscape.

“My first car, like many of my generation, was a white Mini, very similar to the first ever one, and I can even remember the registration — AY 924B.

“I think it was a car of its time. It was a car that was affordable and cheap to run. It was perfectly suitable for me as a first car but also it was a car for all ages and an icon of filmstars in the 1960s, so it appealed to a complete cross section of people.

“I think the replacement here is exactly the same, it’s an icon of motoring. I think it’s a car that you gain an emotional experience with. It’s very personal, the Mini.”

Production of the Mini at Cowley lasted nine years, in which time 602,817 were built there.

Since 2001, more than 1.4 million of the BMW versions have been produced there.

Dr Jürgen Hedrich, managing director at the Oxford plant, said: “Little did anyone know just how popular Sir Alec Issigonis’s car for the people would be — or that half a century later it would be reborn as the Mini and once again be built in Oxford.

“This is a really momentous day in the plant and car’s history. Everyone at the plant is proud to be part of both the heritage and future of this car.”

BMW bosses last night promised to keep the Mini name alive in Oxford for the foreseeable future, despite recent redundancies and falling sales.

Frank-Peter Arndt, BMW Group member of the board of management for production, said: “Anniversaries are always a wonderful opportunity to look back at the past.

“But on days like today, it’s also good to look ahead to the future.

“Therefore, our target objective is absolutely clear — we are going to continue the success story of Mini and even strengthen it.

“Where is Mini going? Where will it be in 10, 20 or even another 50 years’ time?

“Perhaps it’s rather ambitious to look that far ahead, but one thing that is certain, is that Mini is a brand not only with a great tradition, but also a fantastic future.”

Andy Lambert, the plant’s assembly director, right, said: “The original Mini was certainly the right car at the right time and I believe the car we are building now is still the right car for the right time.”

Asked whether there is likely be a 50th birthday celebration for the new Mini, he replied: “Yes, I absolutely think so, in the current climate we are doing particularly well, with recent higher-than-expected sales. So, even in the current difficult circumstances, the Mini’s faring very well.

“The car is class leading in its emissions output and CO2 emissions, so with those attributes we really have the right car for the right time.”

Asked whether Oxford will continue its historical ties with the motor industry, he added: “I think we certainly have a dedicated and extremely skilled workforce in the area.

“The history of Oxford is clearly linked with motor manufacture and we are very proud to be associated with the heritage and the future.

“At the end of the day, Oxford is home of the Mini. The skill of the workforce, the flexibility we have on the plant and our production system meeting and responding to customer demand is what really remains the substance of keeping it the home of the Mini.”