The history of Mini
The timeline covering the history of Mini production from 1959 to 2000.
1959 – 1961Production of Austin Se7en
Details: 2 models available – The Basic and the De Luxe in either Farina Grey, Tartan Red or Speedwell Blue.
Engine size: 848cc
Original price: £497 (Basic) £537 (De Luxe)
1959 – 1967
Production of Morris Mini-Minor
Details: 2 models available: Standard or De Luxe in either Clipper Blue, Cherry Red or Old English White. Super model launched in 1961 but replaced in 1962 with Super De luxe model. Hydrolastic suspension from September 1964. Automatic gearbox available from 1965.
Engine size: 848cc
Original price: £497 (Standard) £537 (De Luxe) £561 (Super De luxe) £606 (De Luxe Automatic)
1960 – 1961
Production of Austin Se7en Countryman and Austin Se7en Van
Details: Countryman featured wood framing. Both the Countryman and the Van had an increased wheelbase over the saloon and double swinging doors at the rear. Wheelbase increased by 4”, overall length increased by 10”.
Engine size: 848cc
Original price: £623 (Countryman) £360 (Van)
1960 – 1967
Production of Morris Mini-Traveller Mk1
Details: Morris version of the Austin Se7en Countryman. All metal version produced from October 1962.
Engine size: 848cc
Original Price: £623 (Woody) £532 (All metal body)
1960 – 1969
Production of Morris Minivan
Details: Specification as with Austin Se7en Van. Austin Minivan produced from 1962 to 1969 with different badges to Morris Minivan. Larger engine option available from 1967.
Engine size: 848cc / 998cc (from 1967)
Original price: £360
1961
Production of Austin Se7en Pick-Up
Details: Utilised the same floor pan as the Austin Se7en / Morris Minivan but had a flat loading bay and self-contained cabin. A drop down tailgate was fitted to the rear of the load bay.
Engine size: 848cc
Original price: £360
1961-1962
Production of Austin Super Se7en
Details: Improved interior and sound deadening over existing Austin Se7en models. Two tone paint incorporating a black or white roof. Different slatted grille with 9 wavy horizontal bars and 12 straight vertical bars.
Original Price: £592
1961 – 1967
Production of Austin Se7en Cooper, Austin and Morris Mini-Cooper 997cc
Details: Introduction of front disc brakes. Fitted with a close ratio gearbox. Austin version had 11 grille slats whereas the Morris Cooper had 7 although both included a contrasting roof colour.
Engine size: 997cc
Original price: £679
1961 – 1969
Production of Austin Mini Pick-up and Morris Mini Pick-up
Details: Name and badges changed to reflect availability of both Morris and Austin versions. Larger engine available from 1967. 850 model discontinued in late 1980.
Engine size: 848cc / 998cc (From 1967)
1961-1969
Production of Riley Elf and Wolseley Hornet.
Details: Two more luxurious versions of the mini saloon produced to cater for a slightly different market. Body length was extended by 8½ inches. The front and rear appear different to the standard saloon with upright grille and rear fins with a top-opening boot-lid. The Mk2 brought with it a larger engine in January 1963. Loss of external hinges in 1966. Mk3 released in 1969. Riley Elf and Wolseley Hornet similar in specification although quality of trim slightly higher with the Elf.
Engine size: 848cc / 998cc (From 1963)
1962-1967
Production of Austin Mini
Details: Austin Se7en models renamed as Austin Mini. Standard, De-luxe and Super models available. De-luxe and Super models superseded by Super Deluxe model in October 1962. Hydrolastic suspension from September 1964. Super Deluxe name changed to Deluxe in late 1964. Automatic gearbox available from 1965.
Original price: £561 (Super Deluxe) £606 (Deluxe Automatic)
1962 – 1967
Production of Austin Mini Countryman Mk1
Details: Renamed version of Austin Se7en Countryman. Produced with all metal body from October 1962.
Engine size: 848cc
Original price: £623 (Woody) £532 (All Metal Body)
1963 – 1964
Production of Austin and Morris Mini-Cooper 'S' 1,071cc
Details: Similar specification to the existing Austin / Morris Cooper but with larger, more powerful engine, different badges and 120mph central speedometer.
Engine size: 1071cc
Original Price: £695
1964 – 1967
Production of Austin and Morris Mini-Cooper 998cc Mk1
Details: Engine specification changed to improve performance over 997cc Coopers. Hydrolastic suspension from 1964.
Engine size: 998cc
1964 – 1965
Production of Austin and Morris Mini-Cooper 'S' 970cc
Details: Limited production number of 963. Similar specification to the Cooper 'S' 1071cc accept for the engine. Often referred to as the Mini-Cooper 1000.
Engine size: 970cc
Original Price: £693
1964 – 1967
Production of Austin and Morris Mini-Cooper 'S' 1275 Mk1
Details: Similar specification to existing Mini Cooper 'S' models but with 130mph central speedometer and single colour later in production. 4 ½ rims as standard. Hydrolastic suspension from 1964. Twin fuel tanks as standard from 1966.
Engine size: 1275cc
Original cost: £778
1964 – 1968
Production of Austin and Morris Mini Moke
Details: Very basic commercial version of the mini intended for light off road usage. Produced until the early 1990s abroad where it was more popular than in Britain.
Engine size: 848cc
Original price: £405
1967 – 1969
Production of Austin Mini Mk2 and Morris Mini Mk2
Details: New front grille design, larger rear window and rectangular rear lights. Brakes also improved. 2 models available- basic and Super De Luxe. Models changed to Mini 850 and Mini 1000.
Engine size: 848cc or 998cc (Super De Luxe only)
Original price: £509 (848cc basic) £555 (848cc Super De Luxe) £579 (998cc Super De Luxe)
1967 – 1969
Production of Austin Mini Countryman Mk2 and Morris Mini-Traveller Mk2
Details: All changes in line with the Mk2 saloon model. Increase in engine size over Mk1.
Engine size: 998cc
Original price: £610 (All metal body) £629 (Woody)
1967 – 1969
Production of Austin and Morris Mini-Cooper Mk2
Details: All changes in line with the Mk2 non-cooper model. Grille style standardised between Austin and Morris.
Engine size: 998cc
Original price: £631
1967 – 1970
Production of Austin and Morris Mini-Cooper 'S' Mk2
Details: Similar specification to the Mini-Cooper model but with twin fuel tanks, 4½ inch rims as standard, different badges and a larger engine. Outlived the other Mk2 models until the Mk3 'S' was introduced.
Engine size: 1275cc
Original price: £849
1969 – 1979
Production of Mini 850
Details: Move to Mk3 bodyshell with internal hinges and wind up windows. Loss of Austin / Morris branding.
Engine size: 848cc
Original price: £596
1969 – 1980
Production of Mini Clubman and Mini Clubman Estate
Details: Move to Mk3 bodyshell with internal hinges and wind up windows with redesigned front. First appearance of the two clock instrument binnacle. Clubman model used hydrolastic suspension until 1971 whereas Clubman Estate used dry cone suspension throughout production. Clubman estate similar in appearance to the Austin Countryman/Morris Traveller but wood panels not an option.
Engine Size: 998cc / 1098cc available from 1975
Original price: £720 (Mini Clubman) £763 (Mini Clubman Estate)
1969 – 1980
Production of Mini 1275 GT
Details: Same facelift bodyshell as the Mini Clubman. Rostyle steel wheels were changed to 12 inch in 1974 to cover front disc brakes. Features close ratio gearbox and additional rev counter.
Engine size: 1275cc
Original price: £834
1969 – 1982
Production of Mini 1000
Details: Move to Mk3 bodyshell with internal hinges and wind up windows. Higher quality interior than the Mini 850 with inertia seatbelts and reclining seats. Renamed Mini 1000 Super in 1979. Renamed again to Mini 1000HL in 1980.
Engine size: 998cc
Original price: £675 (Mini 1000) £3,122 (Mini 1000HL)
1969 – 1983
Production of Mini Van
Details: Name changed from Austin/Morris but otherwise a similar specification.
Engine size: 848cc / 998cc
1969 – 1983
Production of Mini Pickup
Details: Name changed from Austin/Morris but otherwise a similar specification.
Engine size: 848cc / 998cc
1970 – 1971
Production of Mini Cooper 'S' Mk3
Details: Same grille as the other production models and similar overall appearance. Internal door hinges and wind up windows. No two tone paint option. Hydrolastic suspension.
Engine size: 1275cc
Original price: £942
1976
Release of Mini Limited Edition 1000
Details: Green and white with a gold body stripe. Featured recling seats and face level ventilation.
Engine size: 998cc
Original price: £1,406
1979
Release of Mini 1100 Special
Details: Painted in either Silver or Rose metallic with 10 x Mini Special 5inch alloy wheels and wide 165/70/10 tyres. Unique centre console fitted along with larger engine as with the Mini Clubman model.
Engine size: 1098cc
Original price: £3,300
1979 – 1980
Production of Mini 850 City and Mini 850 Super De Luxe
Details: Houndstooth check cloth upholstery, City decals and black bumpers. Super De Luxe has striped fabric seats, face level ventilation and fitted carpets.
Engine size: 848cc
Original price: £2,482 (Mini 850 City) £2,482 (Mini 850 Super De Luxe
1980 – 1992
Production of Mini City
Details: Similar specification to the previous Mini 850 City but with a larger capacity engine. Changed to 2 models in 1982- the Mini City E with economic 2.95 final drive ratio and 1000HL Saloon. Front disc brakes and 12 inch wheels from 1984. Two dial instrument pod from 1985. City E Model replaced with City model in 1988. Brake servo fitted from 1988.
Engine size: 998cc
Original price: £2,796 (Mini City) £2,999 (Mini City E) £3,363 (1000HL Saloon)
1982 – 1992
Production of Mini Mayfair
Details: A more luxurious model compared to the Mini City. Radio, head restraints, locking fuel cap and tinted glass fitted as standard. Front disc brakes and 12 inch wheels from 1984. Brake servo fitted from 1988.
Engine size: 998cc / 1275cc (after May 1992)
Original price: £3,363.
1983
Production of Mini Sprite
Details: Available in either Cinnabar Red or Primula Yellow with 'Sprite' body decals. Fitted with Mini Special alloy wheels and wheel arch extensions.
Engine size: 998cc
Original price: £3,334
1984
Production of Mini 25
Details: Based upon the Mayfair model to celebrate 25 years of Mini production. Painted silver with 'Mini 25' decals and fitted with 12 inch wheels and front disc brakes.
Engine size: 998cc
Original price: £3,865
1985
Production of Mini Ritz
Details: Based upon the City E model and painted in metallic Silver Leaf. Fitted with 12 inch alloy wheels and locking fuel cap as standard.
Engine size: 998cc
Original price: £3,798
1986
Production of Mini Chelsea and Mini Piccadilly
Details: Based upon the City E model. Painted in Targa Red with red and silver body stripes with 'The Chelsea' decals applied. Picadilly model was painted Cashmere Gold with Picadilly logos and full width plastic wheel trims.
Engine size: 998cc
Original price: £3,898 (Mini Chelsea) £3,928 (Mini Piccadily)
1987
Production of Mini Park Lane and Mini Advantage
Details: Mini Park lane painted in black with 'Park Lane' decals and tinted windows. Mini Advantage came painted in Diamond White with tennis themed decals. Both were produced with full width wheel trims.
Engine size: 998cc
Original price: £4,194 (Mini Park Lane) £4,286 (Mini Advantage)
1988
Production of Mini Red Hot and Mini Jet Black
Details: Based on the Mini City and painted in red for the Red Hot and black for the Jet Black. Both were produced with silver wheel trims and tinted windows.
Engine size: 998cc
Original price: £4,382
1988
Production of Mini Designer
Details: Style influenced by Mary Quant with stripey seats and 'Designer' decals. Painted in either Black or Diamond White.
Engine size: 998cc
Original price: £4,654
1989
Production of Mini Racing, Mini Flame, Mini Rose and Mini Sky
Details: Mini racing was painted in British Racing Green whereas the Mini Flame was produced in Flame red. Both included a sports steering wheel, white roof and rev counter. The Mini Rose and Mini Sky were painted in white with a pastel blue roof for the Sky and a pastel pink roof for the rose. All were fitted with full width wheel trims.
Engine size: 998cc
Original price: £4,795 (Mini Racing / Mini Flame) £4,695 (Mini Rose / Mini Sky)
1989
Production of Mini Thirty
Details: Based upon the Mayfair model to celebrate 30 years of Mini production. Painted in pearlescent Cherry Red or Black and produced with special '1959-1989' decals.
Engine size: 998cc
Original price: £5,599
1990 – 1996
Production of Rover Mini Cooper Carb and SPI
Details: Specification based upon the Mini 30 with similar specification engine to the MG Metro. Featured white bonnet stripes and roof. Available in green, red or black. Alloy wheels fitted as standard along with a black leather interior and red steering wheel. Became a full production model from September 1990. Mini Cooper 'S' conversion available from 1991. Equipped with single point fuel injection from October 1991. Engine size: 1275cc
Original price: £6,995 (Mini Cooper Ltd. Edition) £6,595 (Rover production model) + £1,751 (Cooper 'S' conversion) £7,845 (with SPI engine)
1990
Production of Mini Racing Green, Mini Flame Red and Mini Check Mate
Details: All three models similar in specification with Minilite-style wheels and appropriate body decals. Mini Racing Green came in British Racing Green, the Mini Flame came in red and the Check Mate was painted in black. All were painted with a white roof.
Engine size: 998cc
Original price: £5,455
1990
Production of Mini Studio 2
Details: Based on the Mini City model. Produced in three colours- Black, Nordic Blue and Storm Grey.
Engine size: 998cc
Original price: £5,375
1991 - 1996
Production of Mini Cabriolet
Details: Originally supplied as a limited edition from the company 'LAMM'. Produced by Rover from July 1993. Similar specification to Mini Cooper 1.3i model but with manually adjustable colour-coded soft top and Revolution 5 spoke alloy wheels. Produced with colour coded body kit and full length burr walnut dashboard.
Engine size: 1275cc
Original price: £12,250 (Mini LAMM Cabriolet) £11,995 (Rover Mini Cabriolet)
1991
Production of Mini Neon
Details: Based on the Mini City model. Painted in Nordic Blue with pink and green 'Neon' decals.
Engine size: 998cc
Original price: £5,570
1992
Production of Mini British Open Classic
Details: First special edition fitted with the larger 1.3i engine. Featured full length electrically folding sunroof and part leather interior. Painted in British Racing Green
Engine size: 1275cc
Original price: £7,195
1992
Production of Mini Italian Job,
Details: Based upon the Minis used in the 1969 film, 'The Italian Job' and produced in four colours – Flame Red, Diamond White, British Racing Green and Electric Blue. Fitted with twin spot lamps and Minilite-style wheels.
Engine size: 1275cc
Original price: £5,995
1992 - 1996
Production of Mini Sprite and Mini Mayfair 1,275cc
Details: Sprite had black wheel arch extensions and full width wheel trims but otherwise a similar specification to the City model. Mini Mayfair had added chrome and Chevron fabric interior. Full width burr-walnut dash from 1993, metro based front seats and internal bonnet release. Alarm/Immobiliser also fitted to Mayfair from 1993.
Engine size: 1275cc
1993
Production of Mini Rio and Mini Tahiti
Details: Based on the Mini Sprite model and only 750 cars sold in the UK. Produced in Black, Caribbean Blue and Polynesian Turquoise with 'Rio' decals. Only 500 Mini Tahitis ever built. This model came with alloy wheels and Tahiti Blue paintwork.
Engine size: 1275cc
Original price: £5,495 (Mini Rio) £5,795 (Mini Tahiti)
1994
Production of Mini-Cooper Monte Carlo
Details: A visual upgrade from the standard Mini-Cooper model to celebrate the 30th anniversary of Paddy Hopkirk's 1964 Monte Carlo Rally victory. Featured special Monte Carlo Rally decals and an extra pair of spot lamps. This model was produced in January. In July 1994, another edition was launched to celebrate Paddy Hopkirk's return to rallying. This version was also available in black and it featured gunmetal alloy wheels.
Engine size: 1275cc
Original price: £7,195 (January Monte Carlo edition) £7,995 (July Monte Carlo edition)
1994
Production of Mini 35
Details: Based on the Mini Sprite model to celebrate 35 years of Mini production. Painted in Nevada Red, Arizona Blue and White Diamond.
Engine Size: 1275cc
Original price: £5,695
1994 - 1996
Production of Cooper Grand Prix
Details: Special model created by John Cooper Garages with an increased power output of 86bhp. Luxury leather interior with walnut dashboard and additional gauges. Only 35 built- 34 in British Racing Green and one in Tahiti Blue.
Engine size: 1275cc
Original price: £13,495
1995
Production of Mini Sidewalk
Details: Based on the Mini Sprite and available in Charcoal Metallic, Kingfisher Blue or White Diamond. Blue tartan interior trim.
Engine size: 1275cc
Original price: £5,895
1995
Production of Cooper S
Details: Up-rated version of the Rover Cooper. The first Cooper 'S' available from new for 25 years. John Cooper styled features and a more powerful engine. Fitted with a unique chassis plate.
Engine size: 1275cc
Original price: £9,975
1996
Production of Mini Equinox
Details: Special edition model based on the Sprite. 'Sun, moon and stars theme' produced in Amaranth, Charcoal Grey and Platinum Silver.
Engine size: 1275cc
Original price: £6,195
1996
Production of Mini Cooper 35
Details: Produced to celebrate 35 years of Mini Cooper production. Painted in Almond Green with a white roof and body coloured wing mirrors / arches. Included a green leather interior and special anniversary decals. Only 200 were produced.
Engine size: 1275cc
Original price: £8,195
1996 – 2000
Production of Mini MPI
Details: Engine now utilised Multi-Point fuel Injection to lower emissions, noise and increase performance. Front mounted radiator fitted along with strengthening door bars and driver's airbag. 12 inch Pepperpot alloy wheels as standard. The Classic Mini Se7en was introduced in April 2000 in either Solar Red, Old English White or Black as the last non-Cooper Mini.
Engine size: 1275cc
Original price: £8,995 (Mini) £9,495 (Mini Se7en)
1996 – 2000
Production of Mini Cooper MPI
Details: Engine now utilised Multi-Point fuel Injection to lower emissions, noise and increase performance. Front mounted radiator fitted along with strengthening door bars and driver's airbag. Extra features included additional spot lamps, bonnet stripes, sports alloy wheels and Monaco trim. Sports pack option available for an extra £795 including wider 13inch wheels and wider wheel arches. The names Classic Cooper and Classic Cooper Sport were introduced in April 2000. The Classic Cooper model gained silver and black leather seats whereas the Classic Cooper Sport gained black and nickel leather seats and also alloy door furniture.
Engine size: 1275cc
Original price: £8,995 (Mini Cooper) £9,895 (Classic Cooper) £10,895 (Classic Cooper Sport)
1997
Production of the Mini Hot Rod and Mini Limo
Details: Built as one-offs for the 1997 Frankfurt motor show. The Mini Hot Rod featured a 16 Valve version of the 1275cc A-series engine with a power output of 160bhp. The Mini Limo was a luxury show car featuring electric leather seats, satellite navigation and polished 13inch alloy wheels.
Original price: Around £50,000 (Mini Limo)
1998
Production of Rover Mini Paul Smith
Details: Styling by fashion designer Paul Smith. Painted in Paul Smith Blue with Citrus Green detailing and with black leather upholstery.
Engine size: 1275cc
Original price: £10,225
1998
Production of Mini Cooper Sports
Details: Only 100 of this model were made. Available in either Brooklands Green or Black, all with a green leather interior. Distinguishing feature is the twin coach-line featuring a BMC rosette at the rear. Sportspack style arches and 6x13 inch alloy wheels.
Engine size: 1275cc
Original price: £10,525
1999
Production of Mini Cooper S Touring
Details: 'Cooper S Touring' decals, with tuned 86bhp engine. Optional Sportspack add-on available for £400. Similar spec to other existing Cooper models.
Engine size: 1275cc
Original price: £11,595
1999
Production of Mini Cooper S Sport 5
Details: Fitted with Sportspack and Jack Knight 5 speed gearbox.
Engine size: 1275cc
Original price: £13,650
1999
Production of Mini Cooper S Works
Details: 90bhp tuned engine which was the most powerful engine ever fitted to a full production Mini. 'S Works' badges and decals. Sportspack was an optional add-on as was a Jack Knight five speed gearbox.
Engine size: 1275cc
Original price: £12,495 - £14,595
1999
Production of Rover Mini 40
Details: Created to celebrate the 40th year of Mini production. Available in Island Blue, Mulberry Red or Old English White. Wide wheel arches and 13 inch sports alloy wheels.
Engine size: 1275cc
Original price: £10,995
1999
Production of John Cooper LE
Details: Produced to celebrate the 40th year of the Mini and also the 40th anniversary of the first Cooper Formula 1 World Championship win. Painted in Brooklands Green with Old English White roof, bonnet stripes and matching mirrors. Featured Red leather interior and CD player.
Engine size: 1275cc
Original price: £10,995
Production of Cooper Sport 500 LE
Details: The last 500 of the 'Classic Cooper Sport' models manufactured. Similar spec to the Classic Cooper Sport but with official glovebox mounted 'Cooper Sport 500' plaque.
Engine size: 1275
4/10/2000
Last Mini built at Longbridge was a Red Cooper Sport.
