Hi

Not sure about this subject but could you buy a recliner seat for the mini in Australia in the 60's and 70's as like the recliners in the UK at the same time.
Am I correct in thinking that they are a factory option if you brought a mini in the UK at that time and was that the case in Australia.
I have just fitted one to my Australian cooper s.
I'm thinking about trying to match the trim to the original Australian trim to make for a better look.
Did any dealers do this in Australia?
More than happy with the new drive position and ride.

Regards Pete.

Have a chat to Doug (Winnabbey), reclining seats were fitted to Police Spec Cooper S's.

I had a pair offered to me early last year, but didn't have the spare funds for them, so they are about.

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SooperDooperMiniCooperExpertEngineering

All garage work involves equal measures of enthusiasm, ingenuity and a fair degree of irresponsibility.

I was here and well into Minis back then, I have not seen factory recliners offered as an option on any roundnose Minis here.
Mk1S Oz police cars had the seat rear legs shortened so they got more headroom, but AFAIK the seats were otherwise stock.
They may have been available as a BMC dealer accessory, but I don't recall that being so.

[edit] It was popular among the young Mini crowd to put yer feet on the dash and push back hard, to provide a more `reclined' position of the seat back.

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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.

Reclining seats were not listed as a BMC Australia accessory.

But there was a couple of after market companies that did offer them.

Oh, my mistake then, I thought the police spec cars had them. Thanks Doc and Morris.

I wish I had picked up that pair last year, he wanted 220 for them both..

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SooperDooperMiniCooperExpertEngineering

All garage work involves equal measures of enthusiasm, ingenuity and a fair degree of irresponsibility.

I agree with all of the above:

1. SPO16 (Special Production Order 16) was for vehicles fitted with lowered front seats. This was achieved by cutting about 3 cm from the bottom back section of the tubular seat frame of a standard Mini seat and welding the two sawn ends together. This SPO was in most, if not all, NSW Police vehicle orders.

2. I have yet to find a mention of reclining seats as an option in any BMC Australia publication.

3. Pete - here's the topic raised by you last year - viewtopic.php?f=2&t=81259

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ex-NSW Police 1970 MK II Cooper S
VMCI #43

Hey Doc, yes my seats have been modified by sitting on the top of the seat back and pushing back. You can get about 2 to 3 inches of lean back by this method. I am always a bit worried about pushing too hard and snapping the back off, as once it starts to move you could be tempted to go a bit too far
Also need to make sure the floor is not rusty or you could just end up punching the seats through the floor.
I agree with all the other comments that I have never seen a recliner seat for an Aussie mini.
I managed to get a recliner set from a later model UK mini and they just bolt straight onto the existing brackets.

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1969 Cooper "S"
1967 Mini Deluxe
1973 Clubman Van (the fleet spare)
1978 ex 1275 LS ("Wizard" Eaton Supercharged)
2015 HSV GenF GTS(occasional drive & tow car)
2019 MINI F55 Cooper S

My old ex-Police Mini K had the seat legs pushed through the non-rusty floor!

Hi Doug

Thanks for the info.
I thought I'd put it out there again after some time for research.

Kind Regards Pete

Ahah, that'll be the 'too many iced donuts' police car modification.

I had a 1968 Sandown red ex police cooper s In the mid 70's with the cut down seat legs ,&
reclining seats ,they were original to the car as I was the 3rd owner . ( I bought it from a neighbour
who bought it from the police auctions in Sydney) . the recliners the front seats had
were very crude as they hinged from the cut squab tube parts of the seat ,unlocked
with a lever ,somewhat like the very early 850 seats , I was told this strange modification
was done by the Sydney police workshop in inner city Pyrmont ,?
I often wonder if it survived , think I paid $13oo. back then

That's interesting. Of all the photos I've seen of Police Minis, and all the retired drivers who have described the car's features, I've never heard of this version of the seat. I wonder where the mechanism came from? Maybe it was done for a specific driver with a crook back, and maybe by a local dealer to where the car was stationed?

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ex-NSW Police 1970 MK II Cooper S
VMCI #43

Cant say I have ever heard of a modification to the Police cars like that, particularly an early one as in 1968, but stranger things have happened. As winabbey says could possibly have been a one off thing for someone or by someone. If you are looking for some period factory recliners have a look at the ones fitted to South African Austin Cooper S's. They have a beautiful bucket shape and tilt forward/recline. Very nice seats if you can locate some.

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1970 Cooper S ex-Bathurst & ATCC
1964 Austin Cooper S ex-Group C race car
1967 Morris Cooper S ex-Group B
1962 Mini Speed sports sedan
1968-71 ex-Peter Manton Shell car

I have mini reclining seats in my mini. They are out of a jap mini as far as I know.