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The Mk1: 1959-1967

The Mk1 is for some the best incarnation of the Mini, myself included. It has unique smaller tail lamps that will only feature on the Mk1's. Its simplicity wins over the hearts of many.

The start of the Mini and a very important time for Alec Issigonis. The Mini is met with a cool reception from some, with only the 850cc engine available.

These are the models that were available during the Mk1 Period (August 1959 - October 1967)

Basic saloon (August 1959 - October 1967)
De Luxe saloon (early) (August 1959-Septermber 1962)
Super saloon (September 1961-September 1962)
Cooper saloon (September 1961-October 1967)
Cooper 'S' saloon (April 1963-October 1967)
Super de Luxe saloon (September 1962-August 1964)
De Luxe saloon (September 1964-October 1967)

The Mini is put on sale on August 26th 1959. The 848cc Austin Seven built at Longbridge and the mechanically-identical Morris Mini Minor from Cowley go on sale at the same time.All three works 850s fail to finish the RAC Rally in their first outing.

In 1960, determined to change the record, Mini makes its first assault on the Monte Carlo Rally, lining up six 850s ahead of several similarly-equipped privateers. Four of them reach the finish; Peter Riley's 23rd place finishing the highest. Don Morley scores Mini's first international rallying class win as he finishes 14th overall on the Geneva Rally (in an 850, remember).

In 1961, the Mini Cooper is introduced with a 997cc engine.

In 1962, the Seven tag on the Austin variants is replaced by Mini. Pat Moss's Cooper brings Mini its first international rally victory on the Tulip Rally. John Love wins the British Saloon Car Championship.

In 1963, the Cooper S first appears in 1071cc guise.Rauno Aaltonen wins the Alpine Rally in it. Rob Slotemaker wins the 1300cc European Saloon Car Championship with a Downton-tuned Cooper S.

In 1964, Paddy Hopkirk and Henry Liddon take 33 EJB to victory in the Monte Carlo Rally. The 997 Cooper is replaced with the 998 and the Cooper S gains 970cc and 1275cc engines, but loses the 1071cc. Hydrolastic suspension is standard on every new mini sold.

In 1965,Timo Makinen in a 1275S wins Mini's second Monte Carlo Rally, the Circuit of Ireland, Geneva and Czech international rallies. The Cooper 970S is dropped. Alec Issigonis drives the 1,000,000th Mini off the line at Longbridge. Mini gets an automatic option. Its innovative and effective design has no rivals for many years.

In 1966, BMC merges with Jaguar to form British Motor Holdings (BMH). French scrutineers deny the Abingdon-based team a third straight win. Makinen, Aaltonen and Hopkirk had finished one-two-three. The win goes to a frenchman.

In 1967, Aaltonen takes Mini's third Monte win, denying the scrutineers the chance to suppress the Mini's glory. The Mini Mk2 is launched.