LIFE STORY: FROM BIRTH TO BMW

1959 Austin Se7en and Morris Mini-minor are revealed to the press on 18 and 19 August, launched to the public later in the month 1960 Traveller (Morris) and Countryman (Austin) estates plus Mini Van introduced

1961 Pick-up arrives, plus upmarket Riley Elf and Wolseley Hornet; tuner John Cooper helps to the create the hot Cooper and Cooper ‘S’

1963 Moke utility vehicle enters production

1964 Paddy Hopkirk and Henry Liddon score victory at the Rallye Monte-carlo (above) with Mäkinen and Aaltonen fourth and seventh, winning BMC the manufacturers’ trophy

1968 Production at the Cowley plant ceases, with Longbridge continuing until 2000

1969 Clubman, 1275GT and MKIII launched, with winding windows and revised body (below)

1976 MKIV brings the transition to instrument binnacles behind the steering wheel across the range, losing the famous central speedo

1980 A-series engine is replaced by 998cc A-plus unit that also sees service in the Metro

1981 The Mini features in the top 10 list of Britain’s best-selling cars for the final time

1984 12in wheels are introduced for MKV to accommodate larger front disc brakes

1990 Rover Special Products launches 60bhp Cooper; John Cooper offers tuned 78bhp S

1992 First factory Cabriolet offered

1996 All Minis move to fuel injection

2000 The final ‘classic’ Mini – a Cooper Sport – is driven off the line in October by Lulu

2001 Bmw-created Mini launched (see p198)