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1992
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The
biggest 1275cc engine is now the only choice. A catalytic converter
is fitted.
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1993
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The
Mini Cabriolet goes on sale at £12,000. Development with
Karmann in Germany, 414 are made.
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1995
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Autocar,
celebrating it's 100th birthday, names the Mini as Car of the
Century.
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Small
is beautiful. The Mini. Page 5 of 6
| The
complete production of the Mini is being transferred to
Longbridge, to free the Cowley-factory for the Austin Maxi
and Morris Marina. John Cooper still gets two pound for
every Cooper sold, that's why British Leyland (BL) decide
to axe the Mini Cooper in 1971. During the seventies, BL
keeps on trying to find a successor. After a number of failures,
the Austin Mini metro is introduced in 1980. Originally
intended to replace the Mini, it is being produced alongside
it. Technically, the Metro resembles the Mini, but optically,
it is completely different. Still, it doesn't really catch
on. By 1980, the Clubman an Cooper replacement Clubman 1275GT
are axed, as are the Pick-Up, the Estate and the Mini Van
in 1982. This only leaves the orginal Mini. As from 1979,
only with a 998cc engine.
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Mini Production seizes in 2000.
| The
late seventies and eighties see a steady decline in Mini
sales and production. The Mini faces stiff competition.
To renew interest in the Mini, BL and later Austin Rover
produce special edition Minis. these are not different from
normal minis technically, but only have cosmetic differences,
like color, decals and interior. It works to a certain extent.
But still it looks that the days of the Mini are over. Rover
did a study to define the average Mini driver; it doesn't
excist. Minis are mostly bought by women, 70%. According
to the Rover Group, 56% of the drivers are married, 13%
are younger than 24 and 16% are older than 65. The main
use for the Mini is as a second car to be used in the city.
The Mini Driver is true to its origins; 76% of buyers has
previously owned a car from Rover.
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| The
Mini has become a classic, together with the likes of the
Volkwagen Beetle and Citroen 2CV. No more so than in Japan,
where they go absolutely crazy for them. In 1991, more Mini
were sold in Japan than anywhere else, even the UK. The
demand form Japan grew very strong for the Cooper. John
Cooper eventually put a kit on the market to improve the
standard Mini-engine. This proved so successful, that Rover
invited John Cooper for a 'chat', resulting in the Mini
Cooper reappearing again in 1990. This limited edition Mini
proved so successfull, that Rover started to produce them
standard next to the normal Mini.
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| And
this is what really saved the Mini. October 4, 2000 saw
the last Mini rolling off the production line. In 1992,
the Mini and the Cooper got a 1.3 injection, 63bhp (52 in
a standard Mini) engine to meet the emission demands. The
production has been stabelised to 40.000 a year. Now, 40%
of all produced Minis are Coopers. A cabrio is briefly intoduced
which sells very quickly. The Mini is back in the nineties.
Two magazines are started entirely devoted to Minis. The
already substantial amount of Mini Clubs is enlarged by
dozens more, and by the late nineties, there is no stopping
the Mini. That is, until BMW, the new owner of Rover, decides
to call it a day. The Mini will finally be replaced by a
New Mini in 2001. This ends a run of over 40 years of production,
but ...... |
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1997
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In
the last major revamp, the Mini - now available in just 1.3
injection or Cooper forms, and starting at almost £9000
- comes with a driver's airbag as standard.
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1999
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Rover
announced production will end in 2000. Production is likely
to top 5.4 million cars, making it Britain's single best-selling
car ever. Bodies will continue to be made for spares.
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2000
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The
all-new MINI(tm) is unveiled in Paris, and a month later in
the UK.
The last Mini Rolls off the Production line on October 4, 2000.
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