5 replies to this topic

[mbolt998]

Saw a beautifully original 1981 or 1982 Mini City at a show yesterday, owned by a very nice lady. It had what I thought were the earlier rear lights: no reversing lights in them (although a separate one had been added below the bumper, and, on the other side, a fog light, which I think was mandatory after 1980).

 

My 1979 Mini 1000 has the reversing lights built into the rear light pods.

 

Was that a special feature of the City (which was the "economy" trim) to go back to the older rear lights? This car was super-original. In the family since new (she had a huge book of receipts) and, remarkably, in more or less continuous use.

[mab01uk]

The rear lights with built in reversing lights were originally only fitted to Italian built Innocenti Minis and were later fitted by BL to all Mini saloons (eg.1000 and 1275GT) in the late 1970's, except for the basic spec entry level Mini City models which retained the earlier rear lamps without built in reversing lights.

 

All car manufacturers add extra features to higher spec models in the range to encourage car buyers to pay more for their car with the options included. Adding these features adds very little cost on the production line so they add significantly to the manufacturers and car dealer profits!

Edited by mab01uk, Yesterday, 08:29 AM.

[cockney21]

The white light on the rear light cluster of an Innocenti should really be called a "night time seeing light when reversing" as it only comes on when the main lighting switch is in the on position...could be a bit confusing in the UK!

Edited by cockney21, Yesterday, 09:02 AM.

[mab01uk]

The white light on the rear light cluster of an Innocenti should really be called a "night time seeing light when reversing" as it only comes on when the main lighting switch is in the on position...could be a bit confusing in the UK!

 

Strange they wired it up that way on the Innocenti, as reversing lights on even in daylight also give a warning to others that the vehicle is reversing.....but I suppose at least Innocenti fitted them to Minis as standard long before BL did!

Edited by mab01uk, Yesterday, 03:58 PM.

[MikeRotherham]

Don't know about the Innocenti but just tried my 1994 Mayfair auto. The reversing lights work without any other lights on but on ignition switch position two i.e. with the engine running.

Edited by MikeRotherham, Yesterday, 04:03 PM.

[imack]

My sisters friend had one of the last 10" wheel, drum braked mini city's on a 1984 B registration. It had mk2 type rear lights without reverse lights.

Edited by imack, Yesterday, 06:00 PM.