Mini Time Line
Part 3 – 1968 Through 1976
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.
1968
January
March
August
September
October
-
Moke production in England stopped. (Total English production: 14,518; Austin 5,422; Morris, 9,096)
Misc.
-
The Austin and Morris Mini 1000 Mk. 2 went on sale in South Africa. (Probably November.) The exterior was much like the English Mk II with the changed grille, etc. There were four models: Mini 1000, Mini 1000 de Luxe (with a remote gear shift and vent-wing wind up windows), the Mini 1000 “S”, and the Mini 1000 Station Wagon.
- John Rhodes won the 1300cc class in the British Saloon Car Championship driving for the Cooper Car Company.
- John Rhodes took 1st in the 1300cc class in the European Championship driving for the Cooper Car Company.
- Gordon Spice took 1st in the 1000cc class in the British Saloon Car Championship driving for Arden.
- John Handley took 1st overall and 1st in the 1000cc class in the European Championship driving for British Vita.
- British Motor Holdings (see 1966) became British Leyland Motor Corporation (BLMC) when it merged with Leyland Motor Corporation (LMC).
- 246,066 were produced in 1968. Total Minis to date, 1,908,705.
1969
January
March
April
May
July
August
-
Riley Elf and Wolseley Hornet were discontinued. (Total production: Elf, 30,912; Hornet 28,455; Mk III Elf, 9,574; Mk III Hornet, 8,504)
- The South African Wolseley 1000 was discontinued. Approximately 450 were produced.
September
October
-
The Mk II models were discontinued. Mk III models went on sale, badged as Mini rather than Austin and Morris in most markets. (Some sources say November was the start.) ADO 20 came with roll-up windows and negative ground. (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)
- The Mk II Super De-Luxe Saloon was replaced by the Mini 1000.
- The Mk II Countryman and Traveller were discontinued. (Total Mk II production: Austin, approx. 22,500; Morris, approx. 23,500)
- The Clubman Saloon and Estate started. Both featured the “square nose” look. The Estate was not available with wood sides like its predecessors the Countryman and Traveller, but had a fake wood decal running the length of the car.
- The 1275 GT started. Originally it was fitted with a 3.65:1 final drive.
- Hydrolastic suspension was dropped on all but the Cooper S and 1275GT.
- Rhodes and Handley were 1st and 2nd at the Salzburgring in LBL 666D and LRX 827E.
November
-
The Mini Cooper was discontinued. (Total 997 & 998 Cooper production: approx. 100,100. Total 998 Mk II Cooper production: Austin, 9,900; Morris, 21,800)
Misc.
1970
February
November
December
- The 1275 GT final drive was changed from 3.65:1 to 3.44:1.`
Misc.
1971
January
June
July
-
The Cooper S was discontinued. (Total production: 45,442. Mk III, 1,600 plus approx. 18,000 CKDs shipped abroad)
- Australian Cooper S Mk II production stopped. (Total Mk II production: approx. 2,400)
August
Misc.
1972
January
February
April
May
October
December
Misc.
1973
January
March
April
May
- First U.S. Mini Meet was held the 26th – 28th in Reno, Nevada. There were 43 paid registrations. Eventually, the Meet became known as the first Mini Meet West after the start up of the Mini Meet East events in 1975.
July
Misc.
-
295,186 were produced in 1973. Total Minis to date, 3,363,165.
1974
June
- The 1275 GT went to 12” wheels, 8.4” disc brakes, and the 9 US gallon fuel tank
July
-
The second North American Mini Meet was held the 5th - 7th in Vancouver, B.C., Canada. Eventually, the Meet became known as a Mini Meet West after the start up of the Mini Meet East events in 1975,
Misc.
-
255,336 were produced in 1974. Total Minis to date, 3,618,501.
1975
April
August
September
October
Misc.
1976
January
-
The Mini 1000 special, Limited Edition went on sale. (Total production: approx. 3,000.) It was a “cosmetically enhanced” Mini 1000 with special paint and interior; including, reclining seats.
April
May
-
The rubber mounted subframe started, along with bigger pedal pads, twin stalks on the steering column, and two-speed wipers.
September
-
The 3rd Mini Meet West was held on the 3rd – 6th in Renton, WA. (The 3rd was to have been in Los Angeles, CA, in 1975, but was canceled.) It was held at the Sheraton-Renton Inn.
Misc.
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