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Mini History - Timeline
1959
On the 26th August 1959 the MINI was introduced to the Public as the
AUSTIN SEVEN and MORRIS MINI MINOR all models had an 848cc engine and
drum-brakes front and rear. DeLuxe versions had 3 instruments and opening
quarterlight windows.
1960
The MINI saloons were joined by estate- versions, COUNTRYMAN and TRAVELLER
and by the VAN and PICK UP. Although developed for military use, the MINI
MOKE was brought to the public
1961
The first MINI COOPER, the 1071 S was introduced with 70 hp along with the
997 COOPER with 55 hp. The Cooper received 7" and the Cooper S 7,5" disc
brakes. The Cooper engine was a modified 848cc but the 1071 S engine was a
complete new development. All Minis except 850 received remote gearboxes.
1964
Three new models were introduced: 970 and 1275 Cooper S and 998 Cooper. The
1071S and 997 Coopers were discontinued. The 998 Cooper had a newly
developed 1 Litre engine and the 1275 S was the next step in the Cooper S
series. The 970 S was a pure racer built almost solely for the 1 Litre class
with less than 1000 in total production between 1964 and 1965. One of the
production changes that affected all models, was the introduction of
Hydrolastic suspension.
1967
The MINI MKI was replaced by the MKII which meant bigger rear lights and a
larger rear windscreen.
1968
The MINI MOKE MKI is discontinued. The Moke was later licence-built by other
countries
1969
With the introduction of the MINI CLUBMAN, the last of the MKII 1275 Cooper
S and 998 Coopers were built. The Cooper S engine was discontinued and
replaced by the Cooper S MKIII engine which didn't have anymore tappet
covers. The 1275 Clubman GT engine only had 9 cylinder head bolts. The new
998cc engine only put out around 30 hp. Rubber-cone suspension was
reintroduced to all models. The MINIs were found with 850cc, 998cc and MINI
CLUBMANs were found with 850cc, 998cc, 1098cc and 1275cc engines.
1970
All MINIs took over the Clubman concept of wind-up windows and had the
door-hinges moved out-of-sight.
The 1275 COOPER S MKIII was discontinued.
Only in MINIs built in foreign countries e.g. the Italian B39 Innocenti
Cooper or Spanish MINI 1275 GT, did one still find the MKIII S engine up
until 1975. The 998 Cooper engine could be found in the B38 MINI 1001.
1972
The remote change gearbox was replaced by the rod-change type. The Mini
Clubman 1275 GT received 8" disc brakes and 12" wheels.
1976
Front sub-frames were rubber-mounted from here on. The MINI also received
the 1098cc engine.
1981
The MINI VAN, PICK UP, CLUBMAN, the 1275cc A-Series and the 1098cc engine
were discontinued. In this year the A-Series A-Plus engine from the METRO
was introduced to the MINI. From 1981 to 1989 there was no 1275cc engine
actually built into the MINI by the factory, except for the E.R.A.TURBO in
1988.
1984
In May of this year the last of the 10" wheel-MINIs left the factory. It
was the rebirth of the Clubman 1275 GT´s 12" suspension in all MINIs.
1986
The 850cc engine was discontinued.
1990
The first ROVER MINI COOPER 1275 left the production line with 62hp.
1992
The first factory-built injection-MINI-engine left the factory in a ROVER
COOPER 1.3i.
1993
The 998cc engine was discontinued and all MINIs received one of the two 1.3i
engine versions with either 54 or 63hp.
1996
The latest 1275cc MINI is
introduced to the press on the 1st October. Modifications include the
radiator moving in front of the engine (new front panel), a 2-point
injection system, an MGF-type steering wheel with air-bag, reinforced doors
and a seat-belts tensioning system. The cylinder-head casting has a bracket
included for the raised alternator.
The new A-Series engine has the highest torque ever, but is strangled with a
differential-ratio of 2.71:1. The oil filter has moved near the clutch
housing.
2001
The last MINI is produced.
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