Hi, I bought a mini-matic off ebay, got it home and its a great little car. Few issues with the hydro etc.. but nothing that can't be fixed. My question is, the guy I bought it off says its a 66 model. I looked in my "spotlight on mini's down under" book and it says that mini-matics weren't released in australia until 68. I've turned the car upside down (well not literally, i don't want more dents) but can't find any dates on the car anywhere. Does anyone out there in miniland know what year my car could be? I don't even know if its a Mk1 or Mk2 matic. Any help would be appreciated.
Thanks guys

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88 Rover 1.3i "Reggie"
99 Rover 1.3i “Grover”
12 Mini Cooper S "The shitter"
17 Mini Clubman JCW “Noddy”

If you post the first part of the body number here we can get close to the date produced. According to TME magazine issue 9, official release here was January, 1968. Trim level and instruments were Mini Deluxe but it had a fresh air heater to help keep it cool.
In September 1968 the so-called Mk2 MiniMatic came out, it had Mini-K instruments and trim. It sold until late 1970 I think. I have a 3/70 example. Its body prefix is YA2S5.

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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.

The wiper motor, the boot lock, and several other components in the car, will have a date stamp on them. You won't find a compliance plate with a date on it if that's what you're looking for. Look at those other dates, then use your discretion as to whether they might be originals as all of those could have been changed over the years - do they all match (within a month or so) does the car look unmolested and original?, signs of smash repair etc?

The cars are so old now that those things could have been changed several times over, but it can be a good guide if you suspect the car is not heavily modified.

If you posted the body prefix and number (delete the last digit or two of the number if you want), there are others you may be able to date it based on the number.
KB

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