The Australian Minis

THE AUSTRALIAN MINIS

Although the Mini was introduced to the UK market in 1959 it did not arrive in Australia until March 23rd 1961. On that day, the newspapers carried advertisements consisting of a page, which was blank except for a birth notice, in the form of a classified advertisement, which read as follows:

MORRIS (nee Mini Minor)
Early this morning at the
British Motor Corporation’s
Sydney plant, after ten years'
development, a sturdy youngster.
Name Morris 850. All wonderful.
Visitors welcome from tomorrow.

Morris 850

The Mini was in no way unique to Australia but there were a number of differences between the UK and Australian built Minis, some of which are mentioned below.Australian assembly commenced with a version of the UK MK1 Mini, released as the "Morris 850" (the name "Mini" was not used at first). There were no Austin versions marketed in Australia.The cars were at first only available in red, white, blue or yellow.

At first the only difference between the UK and Australian built vehicles was the gearstick, which had a bend near the top but the variations increased as time went on and local content increased. The Australian built cars had stronger interior door handles, the trim was made from a stronger vinyl and, except for some of the earliest vehicles, grilles were anodised instead of being painted.

In October 1962, the Mini Cooper was introduced to the Australian market and was the first use of the “Mini” name by BMC Australia. Australian built Mini Coopers had the 997cc A series engine, to be replaced in 1963 by the 998cc version. The Mini Van followed in April 1964. The Van used the same grille as the 850, rather than the one used on UK built vans. In mid-1964, the original rear numberplate fixture (which was identical to that used on the UK built cars) was replaced with one of a size that suited the shorter Australian number plates.

March 1965 saw the introduction of the Mini Deluxe, with wind-up windows, better quality trim, key turn starting, bigger brakes and Hydrolastic suspension (with a sticker on the back window similar to that used on the Morris 1100 advertising that “the '65 Mini Floats on Fluid too”)'. The Deluxe boasted a better quality trim, key-turn starting and bigger brakes. The standard 850 and the van continued alongside the Deluxe. Both of them were soon fitted with wind-up windows.
The Morris Cooper S was announced in August 1965. It was the first Australian built car to offer lap-sash front seat belts as standard equipment. The Australian Morris Cooper S always used the 1275cc engine. It was not long before the cars appeared on the racetrack, with victories including an outright win at Bathurst in 1966. In late 1967, the Mini Matic was available, and this 4-speed automatic appealed to some Mini buyers.

When Leyland came on the scene in late 1968, they decided the Mini needed more power. In very short time, the Mini K (the “K” stood for Kangaroo) found its way onto the market place, complete with kangaroo decals. It had 80% local content and was fitted with the 1098cc engine from the Morris 1100. The Mini K also had an all-synchromesh gearbox and sold well. The Mini K had an additional badge - a circular one with a leaping kangaroo. I also recall there being a television advertisement featuring shots of the car in motion alternating with film of a kangaroo bounding through the countryside. At this time, the Moke was also given the 1098cc engine.

By 1971, the more modern look the square-nosed Clubman replaced the Mini range. It was available in with the 1098cc engine (“S”) or with the 1275cc engine (“GT”). The GT was the replacement for the Morris Cooper S. From April 1972, the cars were sold as Leyland Minis, the Morris name being dropped. Due to problems in making the 1098cc engine comply with new anti pollution legislation, it was replaced with the 998cc version. Production of all Leyland cars was moved from Zetland to Enfield. The Hydrolastic suspension was eventually replaced by the original design, as a cost saving measure.

By 1975, the 998cc engine (imported from the UK) had replaced the locally produced 1098cc engine. Production of all Leyland cars was moved from Zetland to Enfield. The closing years of production saw the release of a number of “limited editions”: the SS; the Sunshine Special; the LS and the 1275LS. About 212,000 Minis were sold in Australia. The 1275LS was the last Mini made by Leyland Australia; it had 12-inch wheels and a 1275cc engine. Australian production of Minis ceased in October 1978.

THE MOKE

In 1966, the Morris Mini Moke started production in Australia. It had the same 10" wheels as the UK Moke, but had a 998cc engine rather than 850cc. Available only in green, it was aimed at the rural market but due to its 10-inch wheels and low clearance, it sold well everywhere except the country. By 1968, it was equipped with 13-inch wheels and was available in a variety of colours. In 1973, there was the "Californian”, which had a floral top. There was 'utility' version in 1979 and the Moke continued in production until 1981, when the tools were sold to Portugal.

OTHER MINI VARIANTS

Morris 850 Sport

The Morris 850 Sports was equipped with twin carburettors. An unofficial model sold in 1962 by some dealers, it was a conversion done by the dealers themselves, rather than BMC.

The Nota Fang

Nota commenced operation in 1952 building space-framed sports cars. By 1963, the company was producing Mini powered cars. In 1968 came the Nota Fang, which used the front sub frame and engine from the Mini, installed at the rear. It had a tubular steel space frame and safety features that included collapsible front and rear body sections and a collapsible steering column.
In 1973, the Marauder was introduced, using the same mechanicals as the Fang. By 1975, he supply of Leyland 1275 engines dried up and Nota then entered into an agreement with FIAT and Marauders and Fangs were from then on made with the 2-litre twin cam FIAT engine.

The Mini Jem

Taylorspeed of Adelaide in South Australia had an arrangement with Jem in the UK to manufacture the Mini Jem based special in Australia. The cars used many BMC Mini components and the engines used ranged from the standard 850cc to the 1275cc Cooper S.
It was a two seater GT car with occasional seating for two in the rear. With the Cooper S engine it had a top speed of over 120 mph.

The Broadspeed

The Broadspeed Mini was produced the UK by Ralph Broad. The roof and rear end of the bodyshell were made from fibreglass and reinforced with a steel frame and inserts to give a strong and rigid body.

They were also produced in Australia by Brian Foley. Foley was a racing driver who raced various BMC vehicles (he later went on to race Alfa Romeos and today is an authorised Alfa Service and Parts Dealer – you can read more about his racing days at http://www.foleyalfa.com.au/foley_alfa_history.htm).

Foley produced Deluxe based cars and versions using Cooper S equipment. The Super Deluxe came had a reworked head, big cam and twin carburettors. Then there was the GTS, powered by a 1275cc Cooper S engine, with the option of a Broadspeed tune.

The Pellandini

The Pellandini was built in South Australia by Peter Pellandini in the early 1970’s. It was available in both coupe and roadster versions. It used the Mini drive train and components, with a structure made from aluminium and fibreglass and a tubular space frame chassis. It used either the 1100 or 1275cc engine in a mid-engined layout. It had 10 inch alloy wheels at the front and 12 inch for the rear. The body had a one-piece front hinged nose section and used gull-wing doors.

The Bulanti

The Bulanti was just over one metre high and used the same track and wheelbase as the Mini. A modified Mini front sub-frame complete with Mini power plant and suspension, was used. The windscreen was from the Triumph Herald and the front lights from Hillman Hunter. The doors had the Mini’s sliding windows.

Only three were made.

Mini Marcos

Although the Mini Marcos is generally considered to be a British vehicle they were also manufactured in Australia by Sydney based business called Competition Cars.
The body/chassis unit of the Mini Marcos was a monocoque structure with wood and metal sections bonded into critical areas to give immense strength to the shell.

Mini Monaco

The Mini Monaco was built by Bill Buckle Conversions of Brookvale. Buckle Buckle is probably best remembered these days for the Goggomobil Dart but had also made a range of sports cars based on various components of common cars available in the 1950’s and 60’s.

This conversion involved the fitting of a raked windscreen and fastback roofline with the side and rear glass and the doorframes being modified to fit.

The cars naturally had less headroom than a standard Mini, so the front seats were inclined and the steering column lowered to compensate.

Facias with a simulated wood finish were available as an option.