1974 Leyland Mini 1100 Sedan

Description

The Mini is a design icon, as much a part of the Swinging Sixties as The Beatles and Carnaby Street. No other small car has managed to capture the public imagination in quite the same way, nor revolutionise motoring to the extent that the Mini managed. The brilliant designer Alec Issigonis conceived a car that was both diminutive on the outside, roomy on the inside and – just as importantly – great fun to drive. Front-wheel drive, Hydrolastic suspension and wheel-at-each-corner layout conspired to give great handling and road holding while the A-Series engines provided plenty of zip for city driving. The Mini became the car of choice for everyone, from the average punter to numerous celebrities, while racing drivers were busy unleashing the giant-killing potential of the Mini on the racetrack before long. The Mini underwent three major updates, the first major facelift instigated by new owners British Leyland in 1969, styled by Roy Haynes who previously worked for Ford. Notable for its squarer front sheet metal, Australian Minis adopted the new front in 1971 but were essentially Mark Is from the A-pillar back. Launched in two versions here in August 1971, the Morris Mini 1100 and Clubman were both powered by the same 1098cc engine found in the Mini K, supplemented by the hotter Clubman GT. From January 1973 onwards the range was simplified to jut the Mini 1100 and Clubman and the following month both were rebranded as the Leyland Mini and Mini S respectively. Production at the long-running Zetland facility ended in December 1974, with all subsequently Minis assembled here at Enfield. With the prices of earlier Minis increasingly putting them out of reach for many enthusiasts, interest in the 1970s models has been on the rise in recent years.