1970 Morris Mini K1100 Series Saloon

Description

The Mini was produced by the British Motor Corporation (BMC) and its successors from 1959 until 2000. The original is considered an icon of 1960s British popular culture with its space-saving transverse engine front-wheel drive layout which allowed 80 per cent of the car's floorpan to be used for passengers and luggage. Designed for BMC by Sir Alec Issigonis, it was manufactured at the Longbridge and Cowley plants in England, the British Motor Corporation (Australia) factory in Sydney and later also in Spain (Authi), Belgium, Chile, Italy (Innocenti), Malta, Portugal, South Africa, Uruguay, Venezuela and Yugoslavia. While the Mini Mark I had three major UK updates – the Mark II, the Clubman and the Mark III – things were less defined in Australia, with various upgrades adopted as and when necessary or appropriate to keep the car competitive in the market. The most significant Australia-only model was launched in March 1969 and called the Mini K (for “Kangaroo”) and was built at the BMC factory at Zetland using 80 per cent local content. It had a 1098cc engine and was the last round-nosed model to be produced in Australia, originally priced at AUD$1780. The Mini K was offered in two-door saloon and van body styles and was significant in having wind-up windows and a swivelling quarterlight in Mk I-style externally hinged doors. To denote this Australia-only model, which was produced until August 1971, a small round kangaroo logo sticker appeared on the triangular panel between the door and the front body seam. The Mini K was replaced by the square-nosed Clubman series.