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Both the Leyland Mini “E” and Leyland Mini Rebel were produced for the entire 1983. In March, their ranks were joined by the Leyland Mini HLE at a launching price of R 6295. I couldn’t find any new model release giving detail on the model but from my recollection of the one we had in the family, most, if not all had metallic paint, a wooden fascia and wooden inserts in the instrumentation fascia with very nice cloth seats.
In October 1983 the last of the Mini new models, the Leyland Mini Panda was announced at a launching price of R6295. The Panda featured Alpine white paintwork with beige, caramel and brown coach striping, a “Panda” decal and white wheel trims, radio/tape combination, twin rear-mounted speakers, a rear-mounted telescopic aerial, window air deflectors, twin spotlights, synthetic sheepskin seat covers front and rear, a leather gearknob and rubber floor mats both front and rear.
[I always found the choice of name for the last Mini to be introduced in South Africa rather strange and not typically South African. The only reason I can think of is that in 1967 several local police forces in Britain used the Mini for radio patrols and these Minis were called Panda’s and that Leyland South Africa wanted to pay tribute to these Minis]
Price increases were introduced in March 1983 of R 365 for the Mini “E” (to a price of R 5995) and by R500 for the Rebel models (to a price of R 6595). The Mini HLE’s price was increased in July by R 150 to R 6445 while the Rebel suffered another price increase of R 100 to bring its price to R6695 in October 1983.
The Leyland Mini “E” model maintained its status as the cheapest car on the South African market, while the Leyland Mini HLE consistently maintained a second place and the Rebel and Fiat 128 4-door shared the third spot at the same price. According to NAAMSA figures, 2322 Minis were sold in 1983 of which 1879 were Mini 1275 E units and 443 Mini 1275 HLE units. Mini sales represented 0,9% of the market.
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