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Please see the Notes and Sources listed at the end of the article.
1906
Alex
Issigonis born in Smyrna, Turkey.
1923
July
John Newton Cooper born.
1955
Alex Issigonis asked by Leonard Lord to go to work in the BMC design headquarters
as Chief Engineer.
1956
September
Nasser closes the Suez Canal, the main route for oil
to the West. ìBubbleî
cars are born in response to scarce fuel.
1957
March
Leonard
Lord, in reaction to the Bubble Cars, gives the OK for the Mini
project, code named ADO 15, and early on referred to as
the Austin Newmarket.
1958
July
Leonard Lord takes a short drive in one of
the Mini prototypes and gives
the OK for the car, saying he wants it in production in 12 months.
1959
March
The Morris Mini Minor later to be known as the first one built (621 AOK)
comes
off the ìpreî-production line.
May
Actual production starts.
August
Austin Seven and Morris Mini Minor in Basic and De-Luxe versions go on
sale, August 26th. Basic, 500UKP.
De-Luxe (the most popular), 537UKP.
The Morris was available in Red, White, or Blue. The Austin in Red, Grey or
Blue.
The De-Luxe versions had such extras as carpets instead of rubber mats,
passenger adjustable seat, opening rear side windows,
bumper overriders, full
width wheel trims and a heater!
September
First works Mini
in an international event driven by Marcus Chambers.
Viking Rally. YOP 663. 51st overall.
Misc.
19,749
produced.
1960
January
Van goes on sale. Longer by 9 5/8î. Wheelbase 4î longer.
6-gallon (UK)
fuel tank under the rear floor. Longer rear suspension trumpets, spare wheel
and battery behind the
front seats under the leading edge of the load floor.
Passenger seat and rear view mirror were extra cost options!
April
First international class win for a works Mini: Don Morley on the Geneva
Rally, 618 AOG.
June
Australian assembled CKD Minis tested.
September/October
Countryman
(Austin) and Traveller (Morris) Estate cars (with wood) go on
sale. Same ìlongî wheelbase and length as the Van. Unlike
the Morris Minor
Traveller, the Miniís wood was non-structural. Because of trim levels, the
Estates weighted over
120 pounds more than the Van and over 160 pounds more
than the saloon. Initially, the gas tank was located inside the
car in roughly
the same position as a saloon tank (although it was of a different shape).
Misc.
116,677
produced. Total to date, 136,426.
1961
January
Pickup goes on sale. Longer
than the Van by about 5/8î and using the same
ìlongî wheelbase. Weight 34 pounds more than the saloon and 8 less than
the
Van.
Australian Mini production starts.
March
Australian
Morris 850 goes on sale for $1,550AUS.
June
Austin 850 and Morris Mini Minor (Standard
and de Luxe) are on sale in South
Africa. (The exact starting has not been determined at this time.)
July
997 Cooper shows itself at a press release.
September
Super
version goes on sale. The same body and exterior specifications as
the soon-to-be-sold Mini Cooper; except, the grilles
were unique to the model.
The power unit and brakes remained 850 Mini with the exception of the introduction
of the
16-blade fan.
October
997 Cooper goes on sale. By stroking the 848 and reducing the bore slightly,
997cc was achieved. The long stroke engine with a good cam, twin HS2 carbs,
and other modifications produced 62% more
horsepower (55) than the 848. A
remote gear change was added and 7î disc brakes were fitted.
Riley
Elf and Wolseley Hornet go on sale. Mechanically the same as the Austin/Morris.
Same wheelbase as the saloon. With the
extended boot they were 8.5î longer
than the saloon and just shorter than the Van and Estates. Weight for the
Elf
was 114 pounds more than the standard saloon with the Hornet a little
less. Extended boot and traditional Riley/Wolseley
grille. Full width wood
dash in the Elf and center pod wood dash in the Hornet. Leather faced seats
(not on all cars).
Different bumpers and exterior trim. Whitewall tires optional!
Misc.
157,059
produced. Total to date, 293,485.
1962
January
Austin Seven name changed
to Austin Mini.
Austin 850 Countryman and Morris Mini Traveller go on sale in South Africa.
May
First outright international win for a works Mini: Pat Moss on the Tulip
Rally in a 997 Cooper,
737 ABL.
June
Austin/Morris Mini Cooper (997) go on sale in South Africa.
September
First overall, Baden-Baden Rally, Pat Moss, 737 ABL.
October
De-Luxe and Super models dropped. Replaced by Super De-Luxe. Generally
regarded as a step back
from the Super model in trim level.
Countryman and Traveller offered for sale without wood.
Australian
997 goes on sale.
November
Riley Elf and Wolseley Hornet Mk I discontinued. Mk IIs go
on sale. 998
engine. Twin-leading shoe brakes. Leather trim standard. Bumper overriders
standard. (Total production
of Mk I: Elf, 3,522; Hornet, 3,166)
Misc.
John Love wins the British Saloon Car Championship
driving for the Cooper
Car Company.
216,087 produced. Total to date, 509,572.
1963
January
The Austin versions show up in South African sales literature as Austin
Minis and
no longer as Austin 850s. Also, the de Luxe name is replaced by
Super.
March
The Cooper
S goes on sale in 1071cc form. Horsepower from the first of
the ìbig boreî engines was up from the Cooperís 55 to 70.
The engine was strengthened
in a number of ways and the brakes (with servo) went to 7.5î diameter. Optional
wheels
at 4.5î wide were offered. Externally, there were very few clues to
differentiate the new Cooper S from the Cooper.
Misc.
Rob Slotemaker wins the 1300cc class in the European Championship driving
for Downton Engineering.
236,713
produced. Total to date, 746,285.
1964
January
997 Cooper replaced by 998 version.
(Total 997 Cooper production: approx
24,900 split evenly between Austin and Morris.) The 998cc engine is a performance
version of the engine first introduced in the Mk II Elf and Hornet. Brakes
are improved over the 997ís, but, at 7î
diameter, are not as good as the Cooper
Sís.
Mini Moke production starts at Longbridge. One can have any color
one wants
as long as it is Spruce Green. Same mechanicals and wheelbase as the saloon.
ºî shorter. Supplied with driverís
seat. Other seats, optional, as were side
screens and a heater.
Australian 997 replaced with the 998. (ìEarlyî
in the year.) (Total 997
production: approx. 2,800)
Hopkirk wins the Monte Carlo Rally in a 1071 Cooper S, 33
EJB.
February
Australian Van introduced.
March
970 and 1275 Cooper
S go on sale. The 1275 was introduced just before the
970. With its 76bhp it was almost twice as fast to 60 mph as the
Cooper and
could reach 100 mphÖwith a little tail wind. The 970 was down a bit on horsepower
(65) and a lot down on
torque but was a very smooth, high revving engine.
April
Makinen wins the Tulip Rally in a 1275,
AJB 66B.
July
The Mini Cooper S (1071) goes on sale in South Africa. Note: the Cooper
S versions of the Minis were not produced in South Africa but were CKD from
England and assembled in South Africa.
Minor changes in specification from
the English cars were incorporated during assembly.
August
1071
Cooper S dropped. (Total production: approx. Austin, 2,100; Morris,
1,500)
September
Clutch
changed to diaphragm spring.
Hydrolastic suspension starts (saloons only). It was not fitted to other
models during
Mini production.
Twin leading shoe brakes start on Austin/Morris as previously introduced
on the Mk II Elf and
Hornet.
Misc.
Australian 998 Cooper production ends. (Probably, December) (Total production:
approx.
1,100)
Issigonis elected a Royal Designer for Industry and awarded the CBE.
Warwick Banks takes 1st overall
and 1st in the 1000cc
class in the European Championship driving for Tyrrell.
John Fitzpatrick takes 1st in the
1300cc class in the British
Saloon Car Championship driving for the Cooper Car Company.
The Austin/Morris Panel
Van shows up in the sales literature. Start date
unknown.
244,359 produced. Total to date, 990,644.
1965
January
Makinen wins the Monte Carlo Rally in AJB 44B. Considered one of the greatest
rally
drives ever.
March
Australian Mini Deluxe (998) introduced.
Hopkirk wins the Circuit of
Ireland in CRX 89B.
May
Australian Van production changes to roll-up windows.
June
Australian Minis get roll-up windows in more models.
Aaltonen wins the Geneva Rally in EBL 55C.
July
Aaltonen wins the Czech Rally in EJB 55C.
Aaltonen wins the Polish Rally in CRX 89B.
August
Makinen wins the 1000 Lakes Rally in AJB 33B.
September
Australian Cooper S Mk
I 1275 goes on sale for $2,280AUS including tax.
Roll-up, quarter light windows and exterior hinged doors.
October
Automatic gearbox introduced.
Australian Minis get roll-up windows across the line.
Aaltonen
wins the Munich-Vienna-Budapest Rally in CRX 89B.
November
Reclining seat option offered on Cooper
and Cooper S.
The Italian-built Innocenti Mini 850 introduced.
Aaltonen wins the RAC Rally in DJB 93B.
The
South African Mini 1000 is announced with the 998 and hydrolastic suspension.
Misc.
Aaltonen wins
the European Rally Championship.
John Rhodes wins the 1300cc class in the British Saloon Car Championship
driving
for the Cooper Car Company.
Warwick Banks takes 1st in the 1000cc class in the British Saloon
Car Championship
driving for the Cooper Car Company.
The Mini Cooper S (1275) goes on sale in South Africa (probably October).
221,074
produced. Total to date, 1,211,718.
1966
January
Oil cooler and twin tanks made standard
on Cooper S.
Makinen, Aaltonen, and Hopkirk take 1st, 2nd, and
3rd at the Monte Carlo Rally before being disqualified
on a non-performance
related technicality. GRX 555D, GRX 55D and GRX5D.
February
Moke Mk I
goes on sale in Australia.
March
Innocenti Mini Cooper (998cc) available.
April
ìHarderî
hydrolastic units start in Cooper S.
Fall wins the Circuit of Ireland in DJB 92B.
Aaltonen wins the Tulip
Rally in GRX 310D.
May
Hopkirk wins the Austrian Alpine Rally in DJB 93B.
June
Fall
wins the Scottish Rally in DJB 93B.
July
Aaltonen wins the Czech Rally in JBL 494D.
August
Fall wins the Polish Rally in GRX 309D in 970 S form.
Makinen wins the 1000 Lakes Rally in JBL 493D.
October
Riley Elf and Wolseley Hornet Mk II discontinued. Mk IIIs go on sale. Roll-up
windows.
Flow through ventilation. Cooper-type remote shift. Over time the
Elf/Hornet adopt more standard Mini Mk II characteristics
but retain the small
rear window. (Total production of Mk II: Elf, 17,816; Hornet, 16,785)
Makinen wins the Munich-Vienna-Budapest
Rally in HJB 656D.
Misc.
Mokes available in white instead of just Spruce Green. (Mid-1966)
John
Rhodes wins the 1300cc class in the British Saloon Car Championship
driving for the Cooper Car Company.
213,694
produced. Total to date, 1,425,412.
1967
January
Aaltonen wins the Monte Carlo Rally
in LBL 6D.
March
Hopkirk wins the Circuit of Ireland in GRX 5D.
Hopkirk is 1st in Class
in the Sebring 3 Hour Race in GRX 309D.
May
Hopkirk wins the Acropolis Rally in LRX 830E.
June
Fall wins the Geneva Rally in LRX 827E.
August
Makinen wins the 1000 Lakes Rally
in GRX 195D.
Fall, Vernaeve, and Hedges take 1st in class at the 84 Hour
Marathon.
September
Hopkirk
wins the Alpine Rally in LRX 827E.
The Wolseley 1000 goes on sale in South Africa. Powered by the 998, it
combined
the standard saloon rear with the Hornet front.
October
Mk I Austin/Morris saloon models discontinued.
Mk II models go on sale.
Super De-Luxe saloon starts with 998cc. (Total production: Morris Mk I 850
saloon, approx.
510,000; Austin Mk I 850 saloon, approx. 435,500; Austin Mk
I 998 Cooper, approx. 18,000; Morris Mk I 998 Cooper, approx.
23,500; Austin
Cooper S 1275, approx. 6,400, Morris Cooper S 1275, approx. 8,200)
Austin Countryman and Morris
Traveller Mk I discontinued. Mk IIs start
(with and without wood) with 998cc engine. (Total production Mk I: Austin,
approx.
85,500; Morris, approx. 75,500)
998 offered as an option on Van and Pickup.
Mokes adopt some of the MK II
features; although, they were not sold under
a Mk II name.
Authi 1275C available.
Australian Mini becomes
available with 998.
Misc.
Automatic transmission finally available on the Elf/Hornet.
John
Rhodes wins the 1300cc class in the British Saloon Car Championship
driving for the Cooper Car Company.
237,227
produced. Total to date, 1,662,639.
1968
January
Australian Mini Deluxe Auto Mark
I launched.
Although taking 1st, 2nd, and 3rd in class
and winning the Manufacturersí Team Prize, the Monte Carlo
win streak is ended.
The Minis were 3rd, 4th, and 5th overall.
ORX 7F, ORX 707F, ORX 777F.
March
Innocenti
Mini Cooper (Mk I) production stops. (Total production: approx.
6,500 ñ 8,500)
Running changes made to the Innocenti
Mini Cooper to upgrade the Mk I to
Mk II (March ñ September) (Total production: approx. 2,500)
August
All
synchro gearbox starts.
Australian Mini Deluxe Auto Mark I productions stops.
September
Australian
Mini Deluxe Auto Mk II introduced.
Innocenti Mini Cooper Mk II available.
October
Moke
production in England stops. (Total English production: 14,518; Austin
5,422; Morris, 9,096)
Misc.
John
Rhodes wins the 1300cc class in the British Saloon Car Championship
driving for the Cooper Car Company.
John Rhodes
takes 1st in the 1300cc class in the European Championship
driving for the Cooper Car Company.
Gordon Spice takes
1st in the 1000cc class in the British Saloon
Car Championship driving for Arden.
John Handley takes 1st overall
and 1st in the 1000cc
class in the European Championship driving for British Vita.
The Austin and Morris Mini
1000 Mk. 2 go on sale in South Africa. (Probably
November.) The exterior is much like the English Mk II with the changed
grille,
etc. There are four models: Mini 1000, Mini 1000 de Luxe (with a remote gear
shift and vent-wing wind up windows),
the Mini 1000 ìSî, and the Mini 1000
Station Wagon.
246,066 produced. Total to date, 1,908,705.
1969
January
All synchro gearbox available on the Innocenti Mini Cooper Mk II.
All synchro
gearbox available on the Australian Cooper S Mk I.
March
Australian Mini Deluxe Mark
I production stops. Australian Mini Deluxe Mark
II K (known as the Mini K) was shown. $1,780AUS.(with 1098)
April
Authi 1000S (Standard) and 1000E (Especial) introduced.
Australian Cooper S Mk I production
stops. (Total production: approx. 5,000)
Australian Moke gets the 1098 and 13î wheels.
May
Australian
Moke Mk II in production.
Australian Mk II Cooper S introduced at $2,385AUS.
July
British
Leyland buys 51% of Authi.
August
Riley Elf and Wolseley Hornet discontinued. (Total production:
Elf, 30,912;
Hornet 28,455; Mk III Elf, 9,574; Mk III Hornet, 8,504)
The
South African Wolseley 1000
is discontinued. Approximately 450 were produced.
September
Hopkirk takes 1st in class
at the Tour de France in OBL 45F.
October
Mk II models discontinued. Mk III models go on sale,
badged as Mini rather
than Austin and Morris (in most markets). ADO 20, with roll-up windows and
negative earth. (Total
production: Austin Mk II 850/1000 saloon 154,000; Morris
Mk II 850/1000 saloon, 206,000; Austin Cooper S Mk II, 2,400;
Morris Cooper
S Mk II, 5,300; Austin Van from the start of production, approx. 174,500;
Morris Van from the start
of production, approx. 155,000; Austin Pick-up from
the start of production, approx. 18,000, Morris Pick-up from the start
of
production, approx. 13,500)
Mk II Super De-Luxe Saloon replaced by Mini 1000.
Mk II Countryman and
Traveller discontinued. (Total Mk II production: Austin,
22,500; Morris, approx. 23,500)
Clubman Saloon and Estate
start. Both feature the ìsquare noseî look. The
Estate is not available with wood sides but has a fake wood decal running
the length of the car.
1275 GT starts.
Hydrolastic dropped on all but Cooper S and 1275GT.
Rhodes
and Handley are 1st and 2nd at the Salzburgring
in LBL 666D and LRX 827E.
November
Mini Cooper
discontinued. (Total 997 & 998 Cooper production: approx. 100,100.
Total 998 Mk II Cooper production: Austin, 9,900;
Morris, 21,800)
Misc.
Issigonis awarded Knighthood for services to automotive engineering.
Alex
Poole takes 1st overall and 1st in the 1000cc
class in the British Saloon Car Championship driving for Arden.
The
Mini 1000 Mk 3 goes on sale in South Africa. This car features the
round nose style of the English Mk III but has the
tail of the Elf and Hornet.
254,957 produced. Total to date, 2,163,662.
1970
February
Innocenti
Mini Cooper Mk II production stops. (Total production unknown.)
Innocenti Mini Cooper Mk III available.
Authi
850cc model available.
November
Innocenti Mini Cooper gets opening quarter light door windows.
Misc.
The last works Mini drive; Brian Culcheth, 4th overall on the
1970 Rally of the Hills
in Australia driving RJB 327F.
278,905 produced. Total to date, 2,442,567.
1971
January
Authi
1275GT introduced (used standard body shell, not clubman like the
English 1275GT)
June
Hydrolastic
dropped from 1275GT.
July
Cooper S discontinued. (Total production: 45,442. Mk III, 1,600 plus
approx.
18,000 CKDs shipped abroad)
Australian Cooper S Mk II production stops. (Total Mk II production: approx.
2,400)
August
Australian Clubman 1100 and GT sales start.
Misc.
Australian
Moke Californian goes on sale.
Issigonis retires. Continues on as a consultant.
318,475 produced. Total to
date, 2,761,042.
1972
January
Innocenti Mini Cooper Mk III production stops. (Total
production unknown.)
February
Innocenti Mini Cooper 1300 in production.
April
Australian
Minis named Leyland Minis.
May
British Leyland buys the motor vehicle portion of Innocenti.
October
Authi Mini Cooper 1300 available.
Misc.
British Leyland Motor Corporation buys
the remaining shares in Authi. (pre-October)
306,937 produced -- highest one-year production total. Total to date,
3,067,979.
1973
January
Alternator becomes standard.
Rod change boxes start.
March
Innocenti Mini Cooper 1300 production stops. (Total production unknown.)
Innocenti
Mini Cooper 1300 Export announced. Some similarities to ìMk IVî
English cars. Also built at Seneffe in Belgium.
April
Australian Mini S goes on sale.
Inboard CV joints start.
July
The
Austin Mini 1275 GTS goes on sale in South Africa. It looks much like
the English 1275GT having the Clubman body but underneath
is very much like
a Cooper S in specification and performance.
Misc.
295,186 produced. Total
to date, 3,363,165.
1974
255,336 produced. Total to date, 3,618,501.
1975
September
Australian Minis revert to 998.
October
Standard engine on the Clubman changes
from 998 to 1098.
Misc.
Innocenti Mini Cooper 1300 Export production ceases. (ìEarlyî in the year.)
Authi Mini Cooper 1300 production stops. (ìEndî of the year) (Total production:
approx. 5,000)
The South
African Mini range adds a standard HS4 to the Mini de Luxe and
the GTS converts to 12î wheels and bigger brakes (probably
in June). The range
also includes the Mini Clubman.
200,293 produced. Total to date, 3,818,794
1976
January
Mini 1000 special, Limited edition goes on sale. (Total production: approx.
3,000.)
ìCosmetically enhancedî Mini 1000. Special paint and interior. Reclining
seats.
May
Rubber
mounted subframe starts.
Misc.
Australian Mini SS introduced at the Sydney Motor Show. Eventually
went
on sale for $3,895AUS.
203,575 produced. Total to date, 4,022,369.
1977
March
Australian
Mini LS (998) goes on sale for $4,495AUS.
October
Australian Mini Sunshine goes on sale for $4,395AUS.
Misc.
Three standard Minis make up the 1977 range of Minis in South Africa: Mini
de Luxe (the
base Mini offered and still in round nose form), the Mini Clubman
and the GTS.
The Sunshine Mini is announced
by Leyland South Africa (probably January
1977). The car is a dolled up Mini 1100 de Luxe (round nose form) in Dolomite
Yellow with appropriate decals and features a soft folding type sunroof.
The Moonlight Mini is announced by Leyland
South Africa (probably August).
This is another dolled up version of the Mini 1100 de Luxe (round nose form)
featuring
a soft folding type sunroof Zircon Blue metallic paint and appropriate
decals.
214,134 produced. Total to date,
4,236,503.
1978
August
Australian Mini LS (1275) goes on sale.
October
Australian Mini production ceases; except for Mokes. (Total production:
176,284, excluding Mokes.)
December
Van and Pickup badged as Mini 95.
Misc.
The Mini Vanden Plas is announced by Leyland
South Africa (probably August).
This is another version of the Mini 1100 de Luxe (round nose form) and was
called
the most luxuriously equipped Mini ever seen in South Africa. Official
brochures stated, ìSuch features as cashmere pure
wool upholstery, a French
polish walnut fascia dashboard, folding sun roof, tinted and shaded windscreen
and tinted
glass on all windows, leather-bound steering wheel, bronze metallic
paintwork, mahogany pile carpeting and many more,
make the Mini Vanden Plas
an exquisite saloon car.î
196,799 produced. Total to date, 4,433,302.
1979
August
1100 Special limited edition goes on sale at 3,300UKP. (ì20th
Anniversaryî edition.)
(Total production: approx. 5,100.) 45bhp 1098 engine.
Choice of two special paint colors. Vinyl roof. 165x70 tires on
5î rims. Clubman
bumpers, etc.
October
Mini 1000 called Super.
Misc.
165,502
produced. Total to date, 4,598,804.
1980
August
Clubman discontinued. (Total production:
Saloon, 331,675; Estate, 176,688.)
1275 GT discontinued. (Total production: 117,949.)
September
Mini
1000 City starts.
October
Mini 1000 Super changed to HL.
November
848
option dropped on Pickup.
Misc.
Australian Moke changes to galvanized body panels, among other
things.
The Mini 1275E (with the Clubman body and 1275 engine) is announced by
Leyland South Africa (probably
August). (It is unclear whether the car is
going back into production after being out of the market or if it is just
the
Clubman style being reintroduced with the larger engine.)
150,067 produced. Total to date, 4,748,871.
1981
Australian Moke production stops. (Total production: approx. 26,200)
69,986 produced. Total to date,
4,818,857.
1982
April
City changed to City E.
HL changed to HLE.
October
HLE changed to Mayfair.
December
Van and Pickup discontinued. (Total production:
Van, approx. 520,000; Pickup,
58,000; 850 Van 1970 to end, approx. 94,899; 1000 Van 1970 to end, approx.
82,356; 850
Pick-up 1970 to end, approx. 12,130; 1000 Pick-up 1970 to end,
approx. 15,397.)
Misc.
The
Mini Rebel is announced by Leyland South Africa (probably October).
This is a dolled up 1275E with a flip up sunroof,
appropriate decals, special
wheels and a few other additions.
56,297 produced. Total to
date, 4,875,154.
1983
October
Mini Sprite limited edition starts at 3,334UKP. (Total production:
approx.
2,500.) Special paint and stripes. Wheels and tires like the 1100 special.
Different interior.
September
The South African Mini Panda goes on sale. Alpine White paint, Panda decal,
white wheel covers,
radio/tape combination, twin rear-mounted speakers, rear-mounted
telescopic aerial, window air deflectors, twin spotlamps,
synthetic sheepskin
seat covers front and rear, leather gearknob and rubber floor mats front and
rear.
October
The final South African built Mini, a 1275E, rolls off the assembly line
at Blackheath. Total
production is quoted at 77,686. It is believed that this
number includes the CKDs assembled in the early years.
Misc.
Moke production starts in
Portugal with basic Australian specification.
49,956
produced. Total to
date, 4,925,110.
1984
June
25th Anniversary limited
edition starts at 3,865UKP. (Total
production: approx. 5,000.) Silver with red accents inside and out. Lots of
ì25î
decals. Leather steering wheel. Radio/cassette. Most notably: 12î wheels
and 8.4î disc brakes, soon to become standard
on all Minis.
Misc.
35,036 produced. Total to date, 4,960,146.
1985
June
Ritz
limited edition starts 3,798UKP. (Total production: approx. 3,725.)
Silver outside with Ritz decals. Accented with Nimbus
Grey. Multicolored interior.
In other words, a Mini City with some fancy paint and decals ñ a similar theme
to many
of the limited editions and specials.
Misc.
34,974 produced. Total to date, 4,995,120.
1986
January
Chelsea limited edition starts at 3,898UKP. (Total production: approx.
1,500.) A City
E painted Targa Red with decals.
June
Piccadilly limited edition starts at 3,928UKP. (Total production:
approx.
2,500.) A City E in Cashmere Gold. Dark velvet interior. Full width wheel
trims in plastic.
Misc.
Moke changes introduced, including going to 12î wheels.
33,740 produced. Total to
date,
5,028,860.
1987
February
Park Lane limited edition
starts at 4,194UKP.
(Total production: 4,000.) Black exterior with bigger
decals.
May
Advantage limited
edition starts 4,286UKP. (Total production: 4,675.) City
E in Diamond White with tennis motif decals.
Misc.
32,717 produced. Total to date, 5,061,577.
1988
February
Red Hot and
Jet Black limited editions start at 4,382UKP. (Total production:
approx. 6,000.) Red or Black. Tinted windows. Decals.
June
Designer limited edition starts at 4,654UKP. (Total production: approx.
2,000.) Black
or white. Tied in with designer Mary Quant with daisy motif
and her signature on the seats.
October
Servo
standard on all models.
Alex Issigonis dies at the age of 81.
Misc.
36,554 produced. Total
to date, 5,065,131.
1989
February
Sky, Rose, Racing and Flame special editions start.
(Total production:
Sky/Rose, approx. 1,100; Racing/Flame, approx. 2,000.)
June
Mini 30 (30th
Anniversary) special edition starts. (Total production:
approx. 3,000.)
Misc.
Moke production
in Portugal stopped. (Mid-1989)
ERA Turbo introduced. (Total production: 435 of which 58 were built from
existing
Minis.)
40,998 produced. Total to date, 5,139,129.
1990
February
Flame Red
and Racing Green special editions start. (Total Production with
Checkmate, approx. 2,500.)
Checkmate special edition
starts. (Total production with Flame and Racing,
approx. 2,500.)
June
Studio 2 special edition
starts. (Total production: approx. 2,000.)
July
RSP Rover Mini Cooper goes on sale. (Total production:
approx 1,650 with
650 of them going to Japan.)
September
Rover Mini Cooper goes on sale.
Misc.
Moke production rights sold to Cagiva (an Italian company).
46,045 produced. Total to date, 5,185,174.
1991
February
Neon special edition starts. (Total production: approx. 1,500.)
June
75 Lamm Cabriolets built in Germany and completed by Rover in Cowley for
UK sale.
December
The
Mini Cord is reborn in Venezuela. The fiberglass-bodied Mini is built
in two models, both with 998cc engines. (A 1275
was never produced.) SB was
the standard version with cloth interior trim and steel wheels. (Although
versions exported
to Colombia all had Minilite style GB wheels.) DB was the
deluxe version and had air conditioning, leather interior, center
console
with a tachometer, chrome bumpers, spotlights and GB wheels. In December,
113 were made.
Misc.
Moke production starts, again, in Portugal under Cagiva.
35,070 produced. Total to date, 5,220,244.
1992
May
998cc engine replaced by 1.3.
City replaced by 1.3 Sprite.
June
British Open Classic special edition goes on sale. (Total production: approx.
1,000.)
October
The Italian Job special edition goes on sale. (Total production: approx.
1,750.)
Misc.
A
total of 768 Mini Cords were produced for the Colombian, Venezuelan, and
Antilles markets ñ the best year of production.
Colombia received 164.
26,197 produced. Total to date, 5,246,441.
1993
April
European specification British Open Classic goes on sale.
May
Mini Rio goes
on sale. (Total production: approx. 750.)
June
Rover built Cabriolet goes on sale.
September
Mini Tahiti goes on sale. (Total production: approx. 500.)
Misc.
Moke
production under Cagiva in Portugal stops. (Early 1993)
Minor changes were made to both the SB and DB Mini Cord models;
e.g., interior
trim, mirrors and the bonnet emblem. Production was 391. Only 62 units were
exported to Colombia and
the Colombian dealer, Mini City, ceased to function.
20,468 produced. Total to date, 5,266,909.
1994
May
UK version of the Mini 35 goes on sale. (Production for the British market
totaled 200.)
European and Japanese versions to follow.
July
Mini Cooper Monte Carlo special edition goes on
sale.
Misc.
Mini Cord production shut down for a time and restarted with two special,
convertible prototypes built. They didnít go into production. Instead, a John
Cooper model is started, still with
the 998cc engine. It had 13î Revolution
wheels and leather interior, among other changes. All were scheduled to be
silver,
but some were special ordered in other colors. Only 24 cars were built
of all versions in 1994.
1995
May
Sidewalk goes on sale. (Total production: approx. 1,000.)
Misc.
The
Mini Cord goes out of production after only 15 units being built in
1995. Total production is just over 1300.
1996
April
Equinox goes on sale.
October
Cabriolet discontinued.
Twin point injection introduced with crank triggered ignition (no distributor),
front mounted radiator. 2,7 final
drive. Wooden dash, drivers airbag and half
leather interior standard on all models. 13" wheeled "Sport pack"
option
introduced. No longer any technical differences between "Mini"
and "Cooper".
1997
1998
1999
2000
October
Production ceased October 4. The
car designated as the last one off of
the production line is registered as X411JOP and goes to the Heritage Museum
to
share space with 621 AOK.
December
John Cooper dies.
Misc.
Total
Mini production quoted as 5,387,862.
Notes:
The above information applies mainly to English
produced
cars for sale in the UK. Some differences are noted for cars produced
in other countries or for sale in other countries.
Caution is suggested when
applying the general information to all Minis no matter where produced.
Change points
may vary by model.
Where possible, the earliest introduction dates found are listed.
Most production figures are
taken from Goldingís,
Mini, Thirty-Five Years On, Hubnerís, The Big Mini Book, and
Ruppertís, Mini, and are worldwide
production figures; except, figures
from 1983 on do not include Mokes. The majority of the production figures
listed
are approximates. The published literature gives varying numbers.
Starting dates for some models (especially, the
Specials or Limited Editions)
vary depending upon the source used. Some of the differences may be accounted
for by
whether the source is using the date the model is announced, the date
production starts, or the date the model actually
is available for sale. Often
which date is being used is not clear.
Sources:
Bardsley, Alec
Issigonis, The Making of a Designer, 1998
Browning, The Illustrated History of the Works Minis In International
Rallies
and Races, 1996 (2nd Edition)
Davis, Spotlight on Mini Minor Downunder, 1990
Factory workshop manuals, (various)
Golding, Mini, Thirty-Five Years On, 1994
Haynes, Owners Workshop Manuals, (various)
Hubner, The Big
Mini Book, 1992
Mini Moke Club (England), A Guide to Mini Mokes, 1997
Nahum, Alec Issigonis, 1988
Nye,
Cooper Cars, 1983
Parnell, Original Mini Cooper and Cooper S, 1993
Plano, Miguel & Ricardo, Bogot·, Colombia.
Supplied the information on the
1990s Mini Cord.
See http://www.minipassionmini.50megs.com/gb/default.htm
Ruppert, Mini, 1997
Verster, Ryno. Supplied much of the information on the South African Minis
based on magazine tests and other period literature.
Chuck Heleker
Article Date: Feb 05, 2001
Car Accociations: MINI
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