It seems that the first Mini was offered to the public for sale on 27 February 1960. Quite a bold statement for a historian to make and humbly I must admit that I’m only 99% convinced that I’m telling the truth but I believe I’ve stumbled here over a “historian’s gem.” My source is an Austin 7, registration number NIP 236 and its very loyal owner, Mr. Ian. C. Lewis from Donnybrook in Natal, sharing his experiences with his newly purchased Mini under the “Correspondence” column in CAR’s August 1960 edition on the teething problems he experienced with NIP(py) 236 in their first 3400 miles as a team. He opens his correspondence by saying “In view of the great publicity being accorded the new BMC “Babies” with the consequent public interest, I feel my experiences with an Austin 850 may be of interest to your readers [you bet Mr. Lewis – especially 42 years later!]. My car is a pillarbox red “baby” delivered on the first day of the BMC “invasion”, FEBRUARY 27”
This statement leads me to believe that the official launching of the Mini in South Africa took place on 27 February 1960. If I’m wrong to accept Mr. Lewis’s explanation, this is the closest you’ll get to fact anyhow, so you better believe it!
The first record found of a Mini’s participation in competition was a stock-standard Morris Mini-Minor (registration number ND 61555) driven by a Paddy O’Keeve [this name will come up again in early Mini history] in the 4th South African 6-hour endurance Race on Easter weekend at the Roy Hesketh circuit in Pietermaritzburg. The Mini emerged as class winner with a total distance of 302 miles in the 6 hours. (Source CAR, June 1960)
Participation in rallying followed shortly afterwards. In the CAR edition of August 1960, a picture appeared of an Austin 7 (registration number CA 2415) probably the first Mini in a rally in South Africa, participating in the Amatola Rally on 10 July 1960, driven by P.J. Marle and P.A Livings. Results were not mentioned due to protests and appeals.
The price of the Austin 7 also appeared for the first time in the February 1960 edition of CAR at £525 but for the rest of 1960, both Austin 7 and Morris Mini Minor’s prices were listed as £ 523 (R1046). Apparently only the standard versions were initially manufactured since the de Luxe model only appeared in the 1961 price lists. In 1960, the Mini was only the 20th cheapest car on the South African market with two BMW 600 models, three Fiat 500 and 600 c.c. models, five Goggomobile models (ranging from 300 c.c. 400 c.c. and 700 c.c. engines), a Lloyd Alexander, three Messerschmidt (200 c.c. and 500 c.c.) models, four NSU Prinz models and a Renault 4 CV cheaper than the Mini.
BMC Minis were 9th on the 1960 best seller list with a total of 2271 units while 1st position was held by Volkswagen with 11 394 units (Source: CAR, March 1963). According to the NAAMSA figures, however, 2320 units (all sedans) were sold in 1960 of which 1136 were Austin and 1184 Morris versions. Mini sales represented 2,3% of the market.
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