It’s a Mini Timeline

1956

Alec Issigonis entrusted by Leonard Lord to design new advancedtechnology BMC product range. Suez Canal nationalisation by President Nasser of Egypt creates fuel supply crisis in Europe, prompting Lord and Issigonis to prioritise project XC9003, a new small car. Prototyped as ADO15

1959

Mini launched in Austin Se7en and Morris Mini-minor guises, with 848cc A-series engine.

1960

Estate versions introduced as Countryman (Austin) and Traveller (Morris). Mini Van utilises same shape minus wood and chrome additions.

1961

Se7en and Minor names dropped, car now known as Austin or Morris Mini. Super model launched with less basic interior. First Cooper introduced, helping to homologate 997cc A-series for Formula Junior use. Pick-up truck version launched as even cheaper alternative to Van.

1962

Three-box saloon launched in luxury (Wolseley Hornet) and sporty (Riley Elf) guises.

1963

The first Cooper S launched, with 70bhp 1071cc A-series. The MKII Elf and Hornet also gain 998cc Cooper power.

1964

Cooper engine displacement increased to 998cc, still 55bhp. 1071cc engine in Cooper S replaced by choice of 970cc 65bhp and 1275cc 76bhp options, each devised for race and rally homologation. Moke utility version lacks ground clearance needed by the Army, so goes into civilian production instead. Hydrolastic suspension is introduced.

1965

Automatic introduced with AP four-speed torque-converter gearbox. Cooper 970S discontinued.

1966

MKIII Elf and Hornet introduce internal door hinges, dashboard air vents and winding windows, not seen on other Minis – except in Australian market – until 1969.

1967

MKII: a larger rear window, and a restyled grille. Engine range is 848cc, 998cc Cooper and 1275cc Cooper S.

1969

MKIII brings MKIII Elf and Hornet features to whole Mini range; Riley and Wolseley are discontinued. Hydrolastic suspension replaced with rubber cones on basic Mini. Upmarket Clubman range with modernised Maxi-derived frontal styling introduced, retaining Hydrolastic suspension. 1275GT gives Cooper-style performance in Clubman body. ‘Mini’ becomes its own BMC marque.

1971

Cooper name and Hydrolastic suspension are phased out. Mini Clubman 1100 introduces the 1098cc A-series engine as a mid-range option.

1974

BMC’S Italian coachbuilding partner Innocenti introduces a Bertonerestyled Mini with a hatchback in mainland European markets.

1975

BMC nationalised as British Leyland Ltd.

1976

MKIV: bigger taillights incorporate reversing lights. Rubber subframe mountings and plastic impact bumpers added.

1980

Austin Minimetro launched. Mini kept in production as budget model, sharing Metro’s updated A-plus engines. Estates and Clubman discontinued. City E model combines low rolling-resistance tyres and new HLE 998cc A-plus engine to get up to 85mpg.

1982

British Leyland’s manufacturing arm rationalised as Austin Rover Group. Morris brand retired. MG Metro replaces 1275GT and adds Turbo option.

1983

Van and Pick-up production is discontinued.

1984

MKV: with the 25th anniversary, the special edition slew begins, starting with the Mini 25. Plastic wheelarch extensions cover bigger wheels and brakes.

1989

ARG is renamed Rover Group and Austin brand retired. Riding on the hot hatch boom and following several successful aftermarket specials from ERA using MG Turbo engine, John Cooper announces a 500-car run of 30th Anniversary 998cc Cooper conversions.

1990

MKVI: Cooper put back into production with a 1275cc A-series, John Cooper offers ‘S’ tuning package. Rover Group sells Moke rights to Cagiva.

1991

The 998cc engine is phased out, and fuel injection is introduced on the Cooper Si.

1993

Rover Special Products unveils the Mini Cabriolet.

1994

BMW takes control of the Rover Group.

1996

MKVII: All models now powered by fuel-injected 1275cc engines badged ‘1.3i’. Dashboard redesigned incorporating glovebox and driver’s airbag.

1997

Two concept cars from Rover’s design department go public, investigating future Minis; Oliver Le Grice’s tiny, space-maximising, rear-engined Spiritual, and Frank Stephenson’s Mgf-based ACV30 rally car.

1998

Austin Metro, now known as Rover 100, discontinued, leaving the Mini to outlast the car designed to replace it.

2000

Last Mini produced to original Issigonis design at Longbridge. BMW disperses Rover Group brands, but keeps hold of Mini. A new Mini, with styling derived from Stephenson’s ACV30 but featuring a traditional transverse front-engined, frontwheel-drive layout, begins production at Cowley in Oxford – the historical home