Bill B wrote:
My memory is open to interpretation, but when I bought the 8/70 S in 1975, the push button solenoid was fitted, as a friend pointed out at the time that it wasn't a great security item, making stealing it a bit easier.
I was the 2nd private owner after the police and the car had been bored, etc. so it could have been changed before me. I have 2 old pushbutton solenoids in my 'collection' - 1 has no markings at all the other is also push button 8/68 so maybe a bit early to be fitted to a 1970 build.
Also, Greg Coates' Bathurst mini has the pushbutton solenoid as it appeared in TBMCE No. 16; the publicity brochure also shows it.
Thanks Bill. I do remember it being a convenient tool on the cars where it was fitted so possibly others retro-fitted it to make tuning and other engine work a bit easier, including Greg Coates.
I think I still have an aftermarket product comprising two leads with crocodile clips and push button that did the same job on a temporary basis when the newer solenoid was fitted.
EDIT: Yes, the early Cooper S had the push-button as already mentioned and shown in that Mark 1 brochure. By the time the Mini K and Mark 2 S appeared the brochure shows the square style solenoid. This brochure was printed in 1969.
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