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In 1968 the same 11 models plus the two Commercial Panel Van and Pick-up models were available to the South African public. The model range included (Austin and Morris) Mini 1000 Sedan, Mini 1000 de Luxe, Cooper “S”, Mini Moke 1000, Austin Mini Countryman/Morris Mini Traveller 1000, the Wolseley 1000, BMC Panel Van 1000 and Pick-up 1000.
In January 1968 the Mini 1000 ‘S’ was launched at a coastal price of R1450. This model was conceived, developed and tested by engineers at Blackheath and was marketed as ”a built in South Africa model.” A 13 horsepower increase (from 39 to 52 b.h.p.) over the standard 1000 Mini was achieved by raising the compression ratio from 8 to 8,4 to 1, fitting a smooth high-lift camshaft as well as a 1˝ single HS 4 SU carburetor and a free flow exhaust system. Parcel shelf-mounted rev. counter was standard equipment. The Mini 1000 ‘S’ had a top speed of 83 m.p.h (134 km/h). In CAR’s road test of January 1968, they summarised the 1000 ‘S’ as: “It is a flashing, ultra-responsive car with plenty of built-in safety, great fun to drive, and definitely superior for commuting and everyday motoring.”
The Mk. 2 models were introduced in December 1968 and featured some styling changes on all models and an improved remote-control gearshift on the 1000 de Luxe model. [this model was singled out for special treatment with the remote-control, “give–it-stick” Cooper-type gearshift, which was also a theme in the 1968 Mini advertisement campaign.] The other changes on the Mk. 2 models include a change in the grille, now outlined in bold metal paneling with a more angular shape than on the earlier models to give it a fresh look while at the rear, larger, squared tail lamp clusters were introduced.
CAR reported in April 1968 that a complete plant for the machining of radius arms for the Mini and 1100s had been installed at Cape Manufacturing Engineers in Maitland at the request of BMC. Before, radius arms had been imported but following the close co-operation between the local design office of Cape Manufacturing Engineers and its parent company, Molins Machine Company of London, it was now only necessary for BMC to have the radius arms rough-cast in England.
In July the Mini 1000 de Luxe, Wolseley 1000 and Mini 1000 “S” models’ coastal prices increased all by R 35 to R 1325, R 1425 and R 1485 respectively. In December, the Mk2 versions of the (Austin and Morris) Mini 1000 Sedan, de Luxe , Countryman and Traveller, Mini “S” and Wolseley 1000 were introduced with some interesting pricing developments. The (Austin/Morris) Mini 1000 Sedan models’ coastal price decreased by R 60 to R 1195, the de Luxe models decreased with R7 to R 1318 and the Wolseley 1000 decreased with R 66 to R 1359. However, the Countryman/Traveller models increased by R 24 to R 1403 and the Mini 1000 “S” with R 10 to R1495. The Panel Van’s coastal price was R 1194 and the Pick-up’s price R 1130.
[As from this stage on, prices for all cars in South Africa were no longer separately quoted for Coastal and Reef sales but only one price was indicated.]
To put these prices in perspective, the basic Mini models maintained their status as the cheapest car on the South Africa market (its closest contenders were the Fiat 850 followed by the Renault 4L at R 40 and R 70 respectively more) while the Mini 1000 stationwagons came in a respectable 6th cheapest position. The most expensive car was again the Mercedes-Benz 280SE Automatic at R5552 while a Renault 8 Gordini cost R 2230 and a Volkswagen 1500 Beetle R1499.
BMC Minis (all models) were 11th on the best seller list with a total of 4261 units. (1st position was held by the Chrysler Valiant with 14 979 units). These figures include sales of 2981 Mini 1000 sedans, 328 Mini 1000 ‘S’ units, 548 station wagon units, 121 Cooper ‘S’ 1275 c.c. units, 205 Wolseley 1000 units, as well as 78 Mokes. Mini sales represented 2,8% of the market. Mini light commercial vehicles were 20th on the 1968 best seller list with a total of 638 units (1st position was held by Toyota Corona LDV with 7442 units)
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