You Can ID Your Mini (Sometimes) via Its Boot/Trunk Lock

Exactly what year was your Mini was produced? This can be a particular problem when trying to order the right replacement parts, especially for pre-1980s models. A quick option might be to look at the date code as stamped on the trunk/boot lock of your car, depending whether the lock is original or not.

The Classic Mini Cooper in general changed very little over the years and thus can at times be a bit difficult for the layperson to determine its age. Using the "boot lock" method, we can find if not the exact date of production of the car, then a fairly close approximation. From years of experience and observation, we have concluded that the Mini factory had the locks made just prior to having them installed on the car. The date shown on the lock is the week and year of production (of the lock), and thus we can say with reasonably assurance that if the date on the lock was the 26th week of 1967 as shown in the picture, the car itself was probably produced late in 1967.

While it is possible that the locks/latches have been replaced over the years, we have not found it very common. If they have been replaced there will be no number on them at all, and the later-model cars of the 1980s, etc. have no id on them either. If there is no date visible on the existing boot lock, then please refer to one of the articles listed below for an alternate method to "date" your Classic Mini.

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