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By January 1972 all references to Leykor disappeared and the name Leyland was firmly re-introduced.
Four non-commercial models were on offer to the South African public in January 1972 (and for the rest of the year) namely the Mini de Luxe 998 c.c.(the only round nose survivor), Mini Clubman Saloon and Mini Clubman Estate (both 1098 c.c.), Leyland Mini 1275 GT and the two commercial models namely the Leyland Minivan and Leyland Mini 1000 Pick-up (sadly only for a while)
In February all models suffered a price increase; the Mini de Luxe’s price increased by R 75 to R1525, the Mini Clubman Saloon by R 23 to R 1698, the Mini Clubman Estate by R 60 to R1935 and the Leyland Mini GT by R 103 to R 2098. In April the Mini Clubman Saloon’s price increased by another R 47 to R 1745 while the Mini de Luxe 998 c.c. suffered the same fate in July when its price increased by another R 65 to R 1590. By June 1972, the Leyland Minivan’s price has increased by R 81 to R 1275 and increased again by another R 120 (ouch!) to R 1395 in October. Sadly, by June 1972, the Leyland Mini 1000 Pick-up disappeared from the CAR’s commercial vehicle price list and this old faithful model must have been discontinued earlier in the year (since some were still sold in 1972).
The Mini Pick-up has been introduced with the Countryman/Traveller and Panel Van models in 1962 and although details in the motoring magazines regarding prices and production figures (always combined with sales of the Panel Van) were not published on a regular basis, it is evident that its production spans for 11 years and suffered very small price increases. The first price that I could pick up was R 1045 in 1965, which became R1085 in 1966, R 1130 in 1967 and the last price quoted in 1971 was R 1150.
To put these prices in perspective, the Mini 1000 de Luxe model maintained its status as the cheapest car on the South Africa market (its closest contenders were the Mini Clubman Saloon followed by the Ford Escort at R 155 and R 213 respectively more). The most expensive car was the Mercedes-Benz 280 SE Automatic at R 7944 followed by a Jaguar XJ-6 4,2 Automatic at R7800 while a Volkswagen 1600 Beetle cost R 1975.
Leyland Minis (all models) were 16th on the best seller list with a total of 4144 units. (1st position was held by the Volkswagen Beetle 1300 to 1600 with 17 492 units). According to the NAAMSA figures, 2064 Mini 1000 units, a spill over of 20 Mini 1000 Mk. 3 units, 1363 Clubman 1100 units, 491 Clubman GT units and 206 Clubman Estate units were sold in 1972. Mini sales represented 2,3% of the market.
Leyland Mini light commercial vehicles were 30th on the best seller list with a total of 494 units (1st position was held by Toyota Hi-Lux LDVs with 9594 units).
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