OUR STORY
MINI HISTORY
1959
Introduction of the Austin Seven, Morris Mini-Minor and Morris Mini-Minor DL 2-door saloons, all with transversely mounted 848 cc engine and 4-speed manual gearbox.
1960
Introduction of the Austin Seven Countryman and Morris Mini-Minor Traveller 3-door estates, both with 848 cc engine from the saloon models. 116,667 cars built in the first full year of production.
1961
Introduction of the Austin Seven Super and Morris Mini-Minor Super 2-door saloons.
Introduction of the Austin Mini Cooper and Morris Mini Cooper 2-door saloon, both with larger 997 cc 55 bhp (41 kW) engine.
Introduction of Riley Elf and Wolseley Hornet variants
1962
All former Austin Seven models now officially called Austin Mini.
pvc seat covers replaced cloth upholstery on entry level model ("basic Mini").
De Luxe" and "Super" designations discontinued. "Super de Luxe" designation introduced. Modified instrument panel now included oil pressure and water temperature gauges
1963
Introduction of the Austin Mini Cooper 1071 S and Morris Mini Cooper 1071 S 2-door saloons, both with larger 1071 cc 70 bhp (52 kW) engine.
1964
Introduction of the Mini Moke.
Introduction of the Austin and Morris Mini-Cooper 998, Mini-Cooper 970 S and Mini-Cooper 1275 S. 1275 S models have 1275 cc 76 bhp (57 kW) engine. Automatic transmission available as an option for the 998 cc Austin Mini-Cooper 998 and 1275 S. Previous Mini-Cooper 997 and 1071 S models dropped.
1965
Mini Cooper 970 S discontinued.
Automatic transmission now available as an option on standard Austin/Morris Mini and Morris Mini SDL.
1967
Mark 2 range launched with facelift and upgraded equipment. Austin Mini range as follows: 850, 1000, Cooper 998 and Cooper 1275 S 2-door saloons and 1000 Countryman 3-door estate. Morris Mini range as follows: 850, 850 SDL, 1000 SDL, Cooper 998 and Cooper 1275 S 2-door saloons and 1000 Traveller 3-door estate. Optional automatic transmission available on all Austin models (except 850) and Morris Mini 1000 SDL saloon.
1968
Manual four speed gear box with synchromesh on all four forward ratios introduced.
1969
Launch of the Morris Mini K an Australian-only model manufactured in the Australian British Motor Corporation factory at Zetland NSW using 80% local content
Riley Elf and Wolseley Hornet variants discontinued
Separate Austin and Morris badging now merged into Mini 850/Mini 1000 badging. Range reduced to: 850, 1000, Clubman, Cooper S and 1275 GT 2-door saloon and Clubman 3-door estate. Optional automatic transmission available on all except 1275 GT.
The Mini MK3 is introduced in South Africa. The MK3 combined the booted rear of the Riley Elf / Wolseley Hornet with the standard rounded front of the ADO15 Mini.
1980
The Mini becomes the Austin Mini
1988
The Mini becomes a marque in its own right, although V5 documents often show "Rover" as the marque, this is incorrect.
2000
Mini production ends
