So when did production of 850's cease ? mine is car 56562 ,so would that be 1966 ?

Production ended in January 66. So you could subtract at least 4 months off that for your car. (at a rough guess)

My 1961 Aus made 850 may not be??? Can anyone help?

It has 4538 stamped in the firewall and the same under the driver's seat in the floor pan. It had a ID plate on the firewall on the passenger's side, and five digits under the plate as seen by the two holes and the patina. I have some paperwork indicating its YMA2S1 71505 / 4538

The numbers under the [removed] plate are hard to read fm the photo I have but appears to be like 33821

This car has slotted drains at the front, and twin holes at the rear in the guttering.

It had the strangest and extra heavy seats ~ now gone, and those early seat brackets welded to the cross beam. Black plastic kick panels on the front of the doors. Small door handles. I cannot go out and look at it considering its over the hill on a mate's property. Therefore, I'm working on photos.

I'd appreicate any assistance from the 850 experts. Thanks

_________________
..still waiting for the Italian Job sequel to see if the bus went down

It certainly sounds like an early one.

Tim

_________________
1951 Morris Commercial J Type Van
1955 BSA C11G
1961 Morris Mini Traveller
1969 Triumph TR6R
1977 Leyland Moke Californian

Sounds just like my early `61 850 but it's not- 3 weeks after I sold it, that one met a sticky end.

_________________
DrMini- 1970 wasaMatic 1360, Mk1S crank, 86.6HP (ATW) =~125 @ crank, 45 Dellorto (38 chokes), RE282 sprint cam, 1.5 rockers, 11.0:1 C/R.

I have just received the book "Making Cars in Australia" which is the story of BMC Zetland. If gives a breakdown of new vehicle registrations based on data from the Federal Chamber of Automotive Industries.
The number of new Minis registered over the years of the 850 was
1961 = 5426
1962 = 14424 (850 and Cooper)
1963 = 20913 (850 and Cooper)
1964 = 16631 (850 and Cooper)
1965 = 15193 (850, Cooper, Deluxe and Cooper S)
1966 = 13248 (850, Deluxe and Cooper S)

So the only year you can get a really clear look at is 1961. You can work the others out roughly with other data but 61 is easy.
So car 4538 is roughly September 61.

Thanks Morry that's great for the confirmation.

I've seen many cars but never one with the same firewall number stamped identically on the floor. Has anyone seen this before?

And has anyone seen the ID plate on the passenger side of the firewall?

Wayne

_________________
..still waiting for the Italian Job sequel to see if the bus went down

Early 850s had the ID plate on the passenger side. Not sure when it changed, but car 12178 is still on passenger.

Car 5173 has the body number on the floor behind driver seat, Car 10131 behind passenger seat.

Evan.

_________________
Saxon Green 850: http://www.ausmini.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=62641
Nightfire Red 850: http://www.ausmini.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=66555

With your Car being 4538. When you are over the hill next, can you please check to see if it has or has not got a fresh air vent hole?. Which will help us narrow down example one at the start of this post. You may be able to check on a few that we are about to put on!!

Back to the start of the Post..We will try a few more.....

We have bent sunviser brackets on Car 9229
We have straight one's on 18631
-------------------------------------------------------------------
Diamond pattern roof lining on Car 8238
2 squares and 2 dots on the roof lining Car 18631
--------------------------------------------------------------------
Internal light on the left hand side behind passengers head Car 756
In the centre of the cars roof linings. Car 2874
---------------------------------------------------------------------

No worries Flapper

I have looked at photos. my Cooper S has a (approx) 100mm vent hole with a cover on the firewall on the drivers side but the 850 has nothing. Certainly no vent hole in the firewall - only the speedo (rotisserie) hole.

Is that what you were after?

Hope it helps.

_________________
..still waiting for the Italian Job sequel to see if the bus went down