Recently there was some discussion in this thread (viewtopic.php?f=2&t=88318) about the headlight flash feature that was available on the indicator stalk fitted to the MK II Mini series but disabled in the factory. This is the Lucas item that had the horn push located on the end of the stalk rather than in the centre of the steering wheel as per the Mark 1 Mini series.

Below is an extract from the Service Letter that makes reference to the reason for removing the flash facility.

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

The new switches at parts shops have the flash wire in them you run a wire from the battery side of the fuse box and hook it up to the wire on switch

I forget the colour wire on the switch

I love these dealer memos. They put all kinds of issues in perspective.
What a treasure trove.

_________________
SooperDooperMiniCooperExpertEngineering

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

I like the comment about killing rust under chrome. Has any one tried this process, if so what was the success rate?

_________________
John Sneddon
0408 431 807
1963 Morris Cooper
1965 Morris 850
1968 Morris Cooper S

It's simply phosphoric acid - rust converter. You wipe it on and then wash it off with a solvent after the conversion process. Newer version may be painted straight over. Still available under different names from Supercheap for example.

_________________
SooperDooperMiniCooperExpertEngineering

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

I am more interested in the result with chrome.

_________________
John Sneddon
0408 431 807
1963 Morris Cooper
1965 Morris 850
1968 Morris Cooper S

I might give it a go out in the garage I have a rusty old moustache piece. I don't expect it would creep under the chrome very far though... I think it will just remove the rust on the surface. Probably got the customer off their case I expect for a few months...

I'll let you know.

_________________
SooperDooperMiniCooperExpertEngineering

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

I've seen it done with Coca Cola I think.

_________________

68 Morris Cooper S Mk1 (*ex 78 1275 LS 4th last built, 70 Morris 1500 OHC & 70 MiniMatic)

Interesting. So when did the Regulation change to allowing flashers. And was this feature removed on imported cars, or simply not allowed on Aus assembled cars.

_________________

68 Morris Cooper S Mk1 (*ex 78 1275 LS 4th last built, 70 Morris 1500 OHC & 70 MiniMatic)

Considering the Australian made Morris 1100 came with flashers from around 1966 to 1969 I really can't see them being illegal even if the service bulletin says so.

Same here...flashing your headlights to warn of danger ahead was common in the olden days before the authorities decided to make it an offence in particular cases (warn of a Police presence)

I still do it as appropriate...(NO...not to warn of a Police presence but an accident, yes)

PS I suppose it could have been an ADR thing...

_________________
"Show me the Mini!"

Every other car model has this Flash function and have had for many decades. What is wrong with the Mini having it? I know someone who was failed Road worthy because it didn't work. He brought the car to me to fix it.

_________________
DID I MENTION THAT I AM THE BEST SUPPLIER FOR MINI ELECTRICAL PARTS AND REPAIRS?
"Let us remove your "SHORTS"

The Ford Falcon came out with flashers with the XB (1973). I also rembember reading somewhere that it was the first car out of the "big 3" Australian car manafuctures to introduce that feature.

_________________
1963 Morris 850

It is in the road regulations, or at least it used to be, that you would/could flash the driver ahead of you to signal your intention to overtake. Most drivers wouldn't realise why you were flashing.

So clearly at some point they accepted that cars have this feature.

EDIT. Found it.....

(1) The driver of a vehicle must not use the vehicle’s headlights on high-beam, or allow the vehicle’s headlights to be used on high-beam, if the driver is driving:
(a) less than 200 metres behind a vehicle travelling in the same direction as the driver, or
(b) less than 200 metres from an oncoming vehicle.
Maximum penalty: 20 penalty units.

Note. High-beam and oncoming vehicle are defined in the Dictionary.
(2) However, if the driver is overtaking a vehicle, the driver may briefly switch the headlights from low-beam to high-beam immediately before the driver begins to overtake the vehicle.

_________________

68 Morris Cooper S Mk1 (*ex 78 1275 LS 4th last built, 70 Morris 1500 OHC & 70 MiniMatic)

The Ford Falcon came out with flashers with the XB (1973).

I had a XB GS500 coupe the headlight switch fused(common fault apparently) one morning early so had to drive with holding the flash switch held on till day light so I could see were I was going ( not fun ) so a useful addition

_________________
65 panel van Sprog
73 panel van Iggy