9 replies to this topic

[SilverSaloon]

Hi

 

I was wondering what is preferrable on a MK1?    The door pull chord or the metal handle?    At the moment my MK1 1962 Austin Mini Van has a chord on the passenger side but the metal handle on the drivers side.

 

when/what dates did these change/get fitted?

 

cheers

 

derek

 

[surfblue63]

As far as I am aware the vans had cords until the end of production. Only the Cooper models had the metal handles fitted as standard.

I think for ease of use the cord is better as you do not have to reach behind to get to the handle, but I have found that when you take a passenger who is unfamilar withthe cord the use it to close the door, or try too, and it bounces back open.

There are quite easy to change, all you have to do is remove the inner latch mechanism and swap the parts over.

There were various accessory handles made aswell, the most popular being the bent tubular ones with the wooden knob on the end.

Edited by surfblue63, 12 June 2013 - 09:41 AM.

[mab01uk]

For the period look the pull cord is best today because it is so different to what is offered any modern car and is true to Issigonis original concept especially for a basic spec Minivan. The Super Mini also had the door handles as standard but many owners like me fitted them as an upgrade in the '60's and 70's.

[SilverSaloon]

thanks guys.   I think i'll go with the pull chord.   I want the van to be original (once i restore it) as possible but with some minor things that make driving it a little better (rev counter + temp guage being two!).

 

the pull chord adds to the character of the early mini, which is one of the reasons i like it, so i reckon i'm best keeping it.

 

cheers

 

Derek

[surfblue63]

 The Super Mini also had the door handles as standard but many owners like me fitted them as an upgrade in the '60's and 70's.

 

Yes I forgot the Super, which to all intents and purposes was a Cooper with 850 running gear, hence why it had the handles.

[Cooperman]

Handles were a popular after-market mod in the 60's, but I always preferred the door strings.

[Tanya]

For early Allegros, people ask "does it have a square steering wheel?"

 

For early Maestros the question is, "does it have a talking dash?"

 

For early Minis, it's "does it have pull string door handles and a floor start?" 

 

I much prefer to be able to answer yes to that type of question as people look a little disappointed when you say no.  Of course it's your Mini, so do what you like, but I've lost count how many times I've been asked if our early Mini has pull string handles and it's good to be able to say yes.  

Edited by Tanya, 12 June 2013 - 04:36 PM.

[mab01uk]

For early Maestros the question is, "does it have a talking dash?"

 

 

First thing I asked you at Brighton!

 

 

The infamous talking computer and digital instrumentation of the 1983 MG 1600 Maestro, speaking in English, French, German and Spanish.

[Tanya]

 

For early Maestros the question is, "does it have a talking dash?"

 

 

First thing I asked you at Brighton!

 

The infamous talking computer and digital instrumentation of the 1983 MG 1600 Maestro, speaking in English, French, German and Spanish.

 

 

I'm used to it now

 

And that's the very Maestro that inspired me to get mine    So now I have two early Maestros, one with and one without.  When I'm asked if my early base level Maestro has a talking dash, I can now say - no, but my other one does 

 

It's the quirks of the models that people remember and for Mini pull string handles are one of those 

[SilverSaloon]

door string now installed on both doors.

 

the van is happy