i keep seeing minis which are different Mks e.g. Mk1 MkII MkIII and no further than 3, which obviously means the 1st, 2nd and 3rd versions to come out no? however i recently saw a photo with a mini captioned a mini 1972 MKIII, thinking thats awfully early for a MK III when the first ones were only 60s? anyway im confused.... when or what are each MK?
cheers in advance
Can Someone Explain Which Mks Are What?
Started by
willyg
, Sep 01 2010 10:37 PM
4 replies to this topic
#2
Guest_minidizzy_*
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Posted 02 September 2010 - 01:01 AM
Marks 1, 2 and 3 were the only marks officially used as names though there are recognised marks up to 7 for the MPI in 1996. Confusingly British Motor Heritage who make panels and body shells recognise only marks up to 5.
The three first marks distinguish the main external differences. After that nothing changed on the outside except for add-ons like wheel arches and repeaters. Grilles always varied according to model.
The Mark 1 was made from 1959 to 1967.
The Mark 2 was a face lift that Alec Issigonis was in charge of in 1967, though I suspect reluctantly. The front grille shape was altered and enlarged, the rear window was made bigger and the rear light clusters were changed.
The Mark 3 was created in 1969 when the tooling was worn and needed replacing and much of the panel construction was changed but the shape remained the same. Issigonis had been side-lined at this stage and changes were made that he would not have liked but do not do too much damage to the appearance. The doors were given wind-up windows and the hinges made internal. The doors and rear side windows are slightly taller and the chrome trim to the door window frames removed. The hinge down rear numberplate was discontinued and the numberplate light moved from below to above it. The numberplate recess was enlarged downwards.
The three first marks distinguish the main external differences. After that nothing changed on the outside except for add-ons like wheel arches and repeaters. Grilles always varied according to model.
The Mark 1 was made from 1959 to 1967.
The Mark 2 was a face lift that Alec Issigonis was in charge of in 1967, though I suspect reluctantly. The front grille shape was altered and enlarged, the rear window was made bigger and the rear light clusters were changed.
The Mark 3 was created in 1969 when the tooling was worn and needed replacing and much of the panel construction was changed but the shape remained the same. Issigonis had been side-lined at this stage and changes were made that he would not have liked but do not do too much damage to the appearance. The doors were given wind-up windows and the hinges made internal. The doors and rear side windows are slightly taller and the chrome trim to the door window frames removed. The hinge down rear numberplate was discontinued and the numberplate light moved from below to above it. The numberplate recess was enlarged downwards.
#3
rwerry
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Posted 02 September 2010 - 03:08 AM
I won't attempt to improve on Minidizzy's excellent summary of Marks 1 to 3. But in case you're interested in the "unofficial" Marks, here's a brief summary of the major distinguishing features:
Mk 4:
Introduced May 1974
Rubber mounted front subframe, larger rubber mounts at rear, 20% softer rubber springs, twin-stalk column with indicators on left, bigger pedals.
Mk 5:
Introduced October 1984 (following the Mini 25 anniversary model)
12" wheels and 8.4" disc brakes (previously only seen on 1275GT) on all models. The majority of "Special Edition" Minis (21 in all) are Mk 5s.
Mk 6:
Introduced October 1991
Started with the Mini Cooper 1.3SPi - first fuel injected Mini. Front subframe redesigned to move the engine forward half an inch, washer bottle in boot. Most other changes were transitional e.g. move to 1275 engine on all models (May 1992), walnut facia on Cooper and Mayfair (Feb. 1993), move to single-point injection on all models (1995).
Mk 7:
Introduced October 1996
1.3 Multi-point injection engine with electronic ignition on all models, redesigned block, front radiator, larger alternator, 2.76 diff, driver's air bag, side impact bars, improved sound deadening, sportspack option. Most changes made to meet EC drive-by noise and safety regulations.
Mk 4:
Introduced May 1974
Rubber mounted front subframe, larger rubber mounts at rear, 20% softer rubber springs, twin-stalk column with indicators on left, bigger pedals.
Mk 5:
Introduced October 1984 (following the Mini 25 anniversary model)
12" wheels and 8.4" disc brakes (previously only seen on 1275GT) on all models. The majority of "Special Edition" Minis (21 in all) are Mk 5s.
Mk 6:
Introduced October 1991
Started with the Mini Cooper 1.3SPi - first fuel injected Mini. Front subframe redesigned to move the engine forward half an inch, washer bottle in boot. Most other changes were transitional e.g. move to 1275 engine on all models (May 1992), walnut facia on Cooper and Mayfair (Feb. 1993), move to single-point injection on all models (1995).
Mk 7:
Introduced October 1996
1.3 Multi-point injection engine with electronic ignition on all models, redesigned block, front radiator, larger alternator, 2.76 diff, driver's air bag, side impact bars, improved sound deadening, sportspack option. Most changes made to meet EC drive-by noise and safety regulations.
#4
rwerry
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Posted 02 September 2010 - 05:16 AM
I won't attempt to improve on Minidizzy's excellent summary of Marks 1 to 3. But in case you're interested in the "unofficial" Marks, here's a brief summary of the major distinguishing features:
Mk 4:
Introduced May 1974
Rubber mounted front subframe, larger rubber mounts at rear, 20% softer rubber springs, twin-stalk column with indicators on left, bigger pedals.
Mk 5:
Introduced October 1984 (following the Mini 25 anniversary model)
12" wheels and 8.4" disc brakes (previously only seen on 1275GT) on all models. The majority of "Special Edition" Minis (21 in all) are Mk 5s.
Mk 6:
Introduced October 1991
Started with the Mini Cooper 1.3SPi - first fuel injected Mini. Front subframe redesigned to move the engine forward half an inch, washer bottle in boot. Most other changes were transitional e.g. move to 1275 engine on all models (May 1992), walnut facia on Cooper and Mayfair (Feb. 1993), move to single-point injection on all models (1995).
Mk 7:
Introduced October 1996
1.3 Multi-point injection engine with electronic ignition on all models, redesigned block, front radiator, larger alternator, 2.76 diff, driver's air bag, side impact bars, improved sound deadening, sportspack option. Most changes made to meet EC drive-by noise and safety regulations.
Mk 4:
Introduced May 1974
Rubber mounted front subframe, larger rubber mounts at rear, 20% softer rubber springs, twin-stalk column with indicators on left, bigger pedals.
Mk 5:
Introduced October 1984 (following the Mini 25 anniversary model)
12" wheels and 8.4" disc brakes (previously only seen on 1275GT) on all models. The majority of "Special Edition" Minis (21 in all) are Mk 5s.
Mk 6:
Introduced October 1991
Started with the Mini Cooper 1.3SPi - first fuel injected Mini. Front subframe redesigned to move the engine forward half an inch, washer bottle in boot. Most other changes were transitional e.g. move to 1275 engine on all models (May 1992), walnut facia on Cooper and Mayfair (Feb. 1993), move to single-point injection on all models (1995).
Mk 7:
Introduced October 1996
1.3 Multi-point injection engine with electronic ignition on all models, redesigned block, front radiator, larger alternator, 2.76 diff, driver's air bag, side impact bars, improved sound deadening, sportspack option. Most changes made to meet EC drive-by noise and safety regulations.
#5
Bungle
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Posted 02 September 2010 - 06:39 AM
all in the FAQ section 
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