drmini in aust wrote:
The so-called magic wand came out on the 850 here in 1961, all 850s had it until the end (including the last ones badged `Morris Mini Minor').
It was also used in the vans up until late 60s, when there was another similar setup for Moke (which danidad has) that bolted to the back of a remote box, not sure if that ever got used on vans .
AFAIK that magic wand got discontinued when the rodchange box replaced the remote in 1973/74.
Coopers, S's Deluxe, K etc all had a remote, never the magic wand shifter.
yes the mini minor used the same setup as the 850 which the connection for the gearstick is cast into the diff housing. was also used on 850 engined vans
later aussie roundie and clubbie vans had the gearstick connection in a "short" remote housing that bolted up to the diff housing of a remote box.
reason? all 850 engine gearbox assemblies were imported from blighty,(but we bent the gearstick here) and the vans built here with 998 or 1098 engines had to use the locally made remote change gearbox. so the designers just came up with a clever way of retaining the wand gearchange for the vans.[/code]
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