Mini Time Line
Part 2 – 1963 Through 1967
Last Updated August 13, 2012. Information added and corrections made.
Please, see the Notes and Sources listed at the end of the last Time Line article.
1963
January
March
November
- The first 998cc Austin and Morris Coopers were built on the 20th.
Misc.
1964
January
February
-
With production of the 998 Cooper already started the previous November, the discontinued 997 was replaced by the 998cc version, even though the last 997 didn’t roll off the assembly line until April 1964. The 998cc engine was a performance version of the engine first introduced in the Mk II Elf and Hornet. Brakes were improved over the 997’s, but, still at 7” diameter and thin, they were not as good as the Cooper S’s.
- The first 1275cc Austin Cooper S was built on the 14th and the first Morris version on the 25th.
- The Australian Van was introduced.
March
-
The 970 and 1275 Cooper S went on sale. The 1275 was introduced just before the 970. With the 1275’s 76bhp it was almost twice as fast to 60 mph as the Cooper and could reach 100 mph…with a little tail wind. The 970 was down a bit on horsepower (65) and down a lot on torque but was a very smooth, high revving engine.
April
-
The last 997 Austin Cooper was produced on the 21st. It was replaced by the 998cc version. The 998cc engine is a performance version of the engine first introduced in the Mk II Elf and Hornet. Brakes were improved over the 997’s, but, still at 7” diameter and thin, they were not as good as the Cooper S’s. (Total Austin production: approx. 12,400. Total all 997 Cooper production: approx. 24,900.)
- Makinen won the Tulip Rally in a 1275, AJB 66B.
June
- The first 970cc Austin Cooper S was built on the 17th and the first Morris version on the 1st. (See, March. The first 970s went on sale in March but were listed as not built until June. Incorrect data or sales started for a car that was not available, yet?)
July
August
September
Misc.
1965
January
March
April
- 970 Cooper S production stopped. The last Austin was produced on the 5th and Morris on the 1st. (Total production: 963.)
May
June
July
August
September
October
November
Misc.
1966
January
February
March
April
May
June
July
August
October
-
The Riley Elf and Wolseley Hornet Mk II were discontinued. The Mk IIIs went on sale with roll-up windows, flow through ventilation, and a Cooper-type remote shift. Over time the Elf/Hornet adopted more standard Mini Mk II characteristics but retained the small rear window. (Total production of Mk II: Elf, 17,816; Hornet, 16,785)
- Makinen won the Munich-Vienna-Budapest Rally in HJB 656D.
December
Misc.
1967
January
March
May
June
August
September
October
-
The Mk I Austin/Morris saloon models were discontinued. Mk II models went on sale. Super De-Luxe saloon featured a 998cc engine. (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)
- The Austin Countryman and Morris Traveller Mk I were discontinued. The Mk IIs came with the 998cc engine (still with or without wood). (Total production Mk I: Austin Countryman, approx. 85,500; Morris Traveller, approx. 75,500.)
- The 998 was offered as an option on the Van and Pickup.
- Mokes adopted a few of the MK II features; although, they were not sold under a Mk II name.
- Authi 1275C became available.
- Australian Minis became available with the 998 engine.
Misc.
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