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In January 1979 six sedan models and the faithful Leyland Minivan models were available to the South African public. The sedan models included the Mini de Luxe, the Mini de Luxe Special, Mini Clubman, Mini Clubman Special, Mini Vanden Plas (all 1100 c.c. models) and the Leyland Mini GTS (1275 c.c.) Only the Mini Clubman model suffered a price increase in March 1979 of R 170 (ouch!) to a new price of R 3495. In September 1979 widespread price increases occurred with the Mini de Luxe’s price increasing by R 300 to R 3595, the Mini Clubman by R 320 to R3815, the Mini Clubman Special by R 320 to R 3845 and the Leyland Mini GTS by R 350 to R4215 (ouch!!!)
In September 1979 the Mini de Luxe Special (after a production span of 15 months) and the Mini Vanden Plas (after a production span of only 13 months) were discontinued and in the case of the latter at the launching price of R 3525, confirming Leyland’s policy that before a price increase was required on these 1100 c.c. special Mini versions (like the Sunshine Mini and Moonlight Mini) before the model was discontinued. No record of how many Vanden Plas Minis or Mini de Luxe Specials were sold could be found.
To put these prices of Mini models in better perspective, the Mini de Luxe model maintained its status as the cheapest car on the South Africa market (its closest contenders were all Minis, the Mini Clubman, followed by the Mini de Luxe Special and the Leyland Mini GTS at R 220, R250 and R 620 respectively more – another year in which four Mini models were at the bottom of the South African price range with their closest other manufacturer contender the Toyota Corolla 1200 at R 4487). The most expensive car was the Mercedes-Benz 450 SLC at R 35 874, followed by the Jaguar Executive at R 19 400 while a Volkswagen Golf LS 2 door cost R 4495.
Leyland Minis (all models) were 25th on the best seller list (slipping 3 places on its position in 1978) with a total of 1460 units, (1st position was held by Volkswagen Golf with 27 719 units). According to the Auto Data Digest, 652 Mini de Luxe 1100 c.c.units (including Mini Vanden Plas sales), 545 Clubman 1100 c.c.units and 263 Leyland Mini GTS units were sold in 1979. Mini sales represented 0,7% of the market. The Leyland Minivan was 39th on the best seller list with a total of 96 units (1st position was held by the Datsun 120Y Pick-up with 8977 units).
Very little Mini advertising was done in 1979 and the “eye-dropper” advertisement was once used in CAR during the year. This gradual shift in advertising theme over the past two years to fuel efficiency and running cost was also evident in CAR’s special 20 000 km test of the Leyland Mini 1100 de Luxe Sedan in their January 1979 edition. Some interesting facts emerged from this road test over the span of one year. The original price of the car was R 2855, its registration fee was R10, the 1978 licence was R 24, the number plates cost R 7-50, 3rd party insurance amounted to R 30 while comprehensive insurance amounted to R 120 for the year (sounds too good to be true!) The running cost for the 20 000 kilometers amounted to R 433,04 of which R423,40 were for the 1656 liters of fuel used and R 9,64 for 9,5 liters of oil used (a quick calculation showed that petrol was 25,6 cent per liter in 1979!!!) The total cost during the 22 000 kilometer test amounted to R 857,85 of which R 233,31 were for servicing and repairs. This translates into a cost of 4,28 cents per kilometer and a monthly cost of R 71,48 (initial price and depreciation excluded). Overall fuel consumption was 8,3 liters per 100 kilometers (35 mpg) They summarized their experience as follows: “After living with the Mini for a year, we grew quite attached to it for its cheeky air, its willing engine and good handling characteristics. It is essentially a commuter car, and in that context it is tops. It is the cheapest car on the South African car market as a new-car purchase, and light on fuel.”
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