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1980
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The
much heralded Austin Mini Metro is launched, using Mini subframes
in a hatchback body. Eighteen years later, as the Rover 100,
it stops production - outlived by the Mini itself.
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1984
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All
Minis get 12inch wheels and front disc brakes as standard.
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1985
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Rover
takes control of Mini Sales in Japan, a prelude to a massive
explosion of sales there.
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Small
is beautiful. The Mini. Page 4 of 6
| One
of the last Mini-clones is the Mini Moke, which appears
in 1964. Originally designed for the Army. It must be light
and should be able to survive a landing by parachute. But
it doesn't work. The wheels are to small and frontwheeldrive
alone is not suitable for the terrain it's designed for.
It would have died a silent death if the public wouldn't
have picked it up. It turned out to be an excellent export-car,
being used in seasideresorts as Nice in France. Brigitte
Bardot drives one, and calles it her 'petit Anglais'. America
and especially Australia are buying in bulk. In 1968, the
production is moved to Australia, to maximise production-capacity.
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Publicity shot, late 60's
| The
Mini is also produced in other countries. They are produced
in Belgium at Seneffe, and at Innocenti in Milan. British
Leyland buys the factory after the owner Innocenti dies
for 3 million pound. Innocenti minis are however not fames
for their quality, as they use recycled steel for production.
They rust even worse. The Innocenti factory builds a new
body, designed by Bertone, using the Mini-structure. these
appear on the market as the Innocenti 90 or 120. De Tomaso
introduces a Italian successor to the Mini Cooper in 1976.
It has a top of 160km with a 1275cc engine producing 74bhp.
The design is modern, and can be delivered in any color,
as long as it is rustbrown.
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| Technically,
the Mini keeps improving. The Riley and Wolseley all have
the so called hydrolastic suspension, copied from the Austin
and Morris 1100. Fluid is being stored in rubber cones,
which results in a more comfortable ride. BMC adopts it
and the dry suspension disappears, but only for a few years.
In 1965, the year the 1 millionth Mini rolls off the assemblyline,
BMC introduces a 4 speed automatic gearbox. The system is
ingenius, but doesn't work too well. When fast cornering,
the oil jumps to one side, which result in the revving going
into the red. Several adaptions are being made before it's
put right. Only in 1967, the normal Mini receives next to
a 848cc engine, a 998cc one. It also receives a synchroniser
on the first gear. In 1967, the Mark II was introduced.
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| Despite
the fact that the Mini sells extraordinairy - 318.475 are
sold in 1971 alone, the 3 millionth Mini rolls out of the
factory in 1972 - British Leyland anticipates the end of
the Mini. Issigonis has already designed a successor in
1968, the 9X, a hatchback. But this project is cancelled
due to lack of funding. Ford and VW are to score very well
with similar designs in later years. In 1969, a 'compromise'-model
is introduced: the Mini Clubman. The Clubman, which simultaniously
replaces the Elf, Hornet and Cooper, has a proper interior,
with dials in front of the driver. The Mini Clubman Estate
replaces the Countryman and Traveller. Standard, the Clubman
has a 998cc engine. |
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1986
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The
five millionth Mini is driven of the Longbridge production line
by Noel Edmonds.
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1988
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Sir
Alec Issigonis dies aged 88.
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1990
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Rover
takes the wraps off a new Mini Cooper. Initially a Limited Edition
with Cooper's signature on white bonnet stripes, it is soon
the best selling Mini. Cooper Garages also markets it's own
Mini specials, later devising a hot latter-day Cooper S.
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