15 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, 30 June 2025 - 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, 30 June 2025 - 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, 30 June 2025 - 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, 30 June 2025 - 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, 30 June 2025 - 06:00 PM.

[mbolt998]

Yes who needs reversing lights on a city car anyway, there should be street lights to see where you're going :)

 

Thanks for all the answers everyone, it clears it up. It turns out they weren't mandatory on UK cars until as late as 2009 (after the last classic Mini of course).

[Spider]

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!

 

We also had Reverse Lights from 1971 on all models to meet our local rules. The original rear light assembly of that era as used, however the socket for the Indicator was changed for one similar to the Brake / Park lamp type that had the off-set pins and a Dual Filament Bulbs, however the bulb was a special one that both Filaments were rated 21 watts each. One was used for the Indicator, the other for the Reverse Lamp. This continued to the end of our production in 1978.

 

 

[Steam]

The Holdens also had the reverse lights in amber the same as the leyland cars but the fords had white.

[viz139]

A friend of mine had an Aussi clubman here in Ireland and asked me to figure out the rear lights for him as previous owner had disconnected the reverse lamps. Got the wiring sorted but couldn't source the 21/21 watt lamps . Are they still available in Oz?

[nicklouse]

A friend of mine had an Aussi clubman here in Ireland and asked me to figure out the rear lights for him as previous owner had disconnected the reverse lamps. Got the wiring sorted but couldn't source the 21/21 watt lamps . Are they still available in Oz?

https://minisport.co...b1RY12-uEMu7vEC

[Mr Piggy]

Reversing lights wired into the main lights is an Italian thing. We had a number of owners brought their new FIATs back saying the reverse lights didn't work and we had to show them. Only with the side lights on. Agree they are a good daytime warning.

[Spider]

A friend of mine had an Aussi clubman here in Ireland and asked me to figure out the rear lights for him as previous owner had disconnected the reverse lamps. Got the wiring sorted but couldn't source the 21/21 watt lamps . Are they still available in Oz?

 

Even 'in the day' these were hard to find. It seem Mini Sport in South Australia has them (as Nick kindly linked). When I had my shop, I was buying them in bulk from a vehicle bulb importer, and he would always comment that I was the only one ordering them !

[Steam]

I thought they were readily available. Not bought one for a couple of years but I don't remember any hassles getting them.

[mini-mad-mark]

My car is an 82 City E and came with early rear lights (i.e. no reversing lights) although I have later added them although I use them as Rear Fog Lights (Yes I know......)