Mini Time Line
Part 4 – 1977 Through 1988
Last Updated August 13, 2012. Information added and corrections made.
Please, see the Notes and Sources listed at the end of the last Time Line article.
1977
March
April
August
- Reversing lights were added as part of the saloon rear light clusters; except, for the 850.
- The Denovo wheel/tire became standard on the 1275 GT and optional on Clubman saloons.
September
October
Misc.
1978
May
August
September
October
December
Misc.
-
The Mini Vanden Plas was announced by Leyland South Africa (probably August). This was another version of the Mini 1100 de Luxe (round nose form) and was called the most luxuriously equipped factory Mini ever built in South Africa. Official brochures stated, “Such features as cashmere pure wool upholstery, a French polish walnut fascia dashboard, folding sun roof, tinted and shaded windscreen and tinted glass on all windows, leather-bound steering wheel, bronze metallic paintwork, mahogany pile carpeting and many more, make the Mini Vanden Plas an exquisite saloon car.”
- British Leyland Ltd (see 1975) became BL PLC.
- The IMM (1st official IMM?) was held in Moers, Germany
- 196,799 were produced in 1978. Total Minis to date, 4,433,302.
1979
April
July
- The City and 850 Super DeLuxe started.
August
-
1100 Special limited edition went on sale at 3,300UKP. (“20th Anniversary” edition.) (Total production: approx. 5,100.) It had a 45bhp 1098 engine and came in a choice of two special paint colors. Also, there was a vinyl roof, 165x70 tires on 5” rims, Clubman bumpers, etc.
September
October
Misc.
1980
May
August
-
The Clubman was discontinued. (Some sources say October.) (Total production: Saloon, 331,675; Estate, 176,688.) The estate Clubman was available for another couple of years, but was no longer called a Clubman. It took on the name of Mini1000 HL Estate and added about another 21,000 to the total count.
- The 1275 GT was discontinued. (Some sources say October.) (Total production: 117,949.)
- The 7th Mini Meet West was held the 30th - September 1st in Terra Linda, CA.
September
October
November
Misc.
1981
July
September
Misc.
1982
April
September
October
December
-
The Van and Pickup were discontinued. (Total production: Van, approx. 520,000; Pickup, 58,000; 850 Van 1970 to end, approx. 94,899; 1000 Van 1970 to end, approx. 82,356; 850 Pick-up 1970 to end, approx. 12,130; 1000 Pick-up 1970 to end, approx. 15,397.)
Misc.
1983
May
September
-
The South African Mini Panda went on sale with Alpine White paint, Panda decal, white wheel covers, radio/tape combination, twin rear-mounted speakers, rear-mounted telescopic aerial, window air deflectors, twin spotlights, synthetic sheepskin seat covers front and rear, leather gear shift knob and rubber floor mats front and rear.
- The 10th Mini Meet West was held the 2nd – 5th in Emeryville, CA.
October
-
The Mini Sprite limited edition started at 3,334UKP. (Total production: approx. 2,500.) It had special paint and stripes, wheels and tires like the 1100 special, and a different interior.
- The final South African built Mini, a 1275E, rolled off the assembly line at Blackheath. Total production was quoted at 77,686. It is believed that this number includes the CKDs assembled in the early years.
Misc.
1984
June
-
The 25th Anniversary limited edition started at 3,865UKP. (Total production: approx. 5,000.) It was silver with red accents inside and out, lots of “25” decals, a leather steering wheel and a radio/cassette player. Most notably were: 12” wheels and 8.4” disc brakes, soon to become standard on all Minis.
July
October
- The bigger, 8.4” front disc brakes (and 12” wheels) were introduced as standard on all Minis.
Misc.
1985
June
-
The Ritz limited edition started on sale for 3,798UKP. (Total production: approx. 3,725.) It was silver outside with Ritz decals, and accented with Nimbus Grey. It had a multicolored interior. In other words, it was a Mini City with some fancy paint and decals – a similar theme to many of the limited editions and specials.
July
Misc.
1986
January
June
-
The Piccadilly limited edition started on sale at 3,928UKP. (Total production: approx. 2,500.) It was a City E in Cashmere Gold with a dark velvet interior, and full width wheel trims in plastic.
- The 11th Mini Meet East was held the 12th – 15th in Knoxville, Tennessee.
July
Misc.
1987
February
May
July
Misc.
1988
February
-
The Red Hot and Jet Black limited editions started. 4,382UKP. (Total production: approx. 6,000.) They were red or black, as the names indicate, and came with tinted windows and identification decals.
June
-
The Designer limited edition started. 4,654UKP. (Total production: approx. 2,000.) It came in back or white, and was tied in with designer Mary Quant using her daisy motif in several places on the car and her signature on the seats.
July
August
September
October
Misc.
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