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Rover vs. Austin
- Thread starter malexalex
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The 90's cars will likely have fuel injection, and later Rover versions will have the radiator in front, instead of at the side. In addition, the earlier Austin/Morris Minis had the instruments in a central location, and that wide parcel shelf.
There are others, but that's I can come up with for now.
There are others, but that's I can come up with for now.
dklawson
Yoda
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It depends on the year. Others will have to elaborate on when various changes were implemented. The Morris and Austin names officially disappeared from the Mini in the very early 1970s. There were BL Minis after that and I'm not sure when they even started being considered Rover Minis.
Regardless, if it says Austin or Morris it will be a simpler car. The later cars had mounting pads between the subframes and car body. After about 1970 all sedans have roll-up windows. The later cars changed to an A+ engine as opposed to the earlier cars' A-series. The early cars had 10" tires/rims. Over the years that changed to 12" and finally moved up to 13". Along with the growth in rim size, the size of the front brakes increased. The last cars used distributorless ignition systems and engine computers. The later cars eventually got fuel injection (first single-point then multi-point towards the end).
Keep in mind that we're only talking about sedans here, the travelers and pickups were always different.
If you're considering bringing in a later Rover Mini be sure and check how "legal" it is to import. If it's fuel injected, keep in mind that there will be very little support for such a car/engine in North America.
Regardless, if it says Austin or Morris it will be a simpler car. The later cars had mounting pads between the subframes and car body. After about 1970 all sedans have roll-up windows. The later cars changed to an A+ engine as opposed to the earlier cars' A-series. The early cars had 10" tires/rims. Over the years that changed to 12" and finally moved up to 13". Along with the growth in rim size, the size of the front brakes increased. The last cars used distributorless ignition systems and engine computers. The later cars eventually got fuel injection (first single-point then multi-point towards the end).
Keep in mind that we're only talking about sedans here, the travelers and pickups were always different.
If you're considering bringing in a later Rover Mini be sure and check how "legal" it is to import. If it's fuel injected, keep in mind that there will be very little support for such a car/engine in North America.
Sherlock
Yoda
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Not sure of specific support, but there are plenty of Rover Mini's here in Canada where it's legal to import them (as opposed to different age restrictions in the United States).
I suspect that the British repair garages in any major Canadian city will be able to do work on a Rover Mini.
And just for the record... After 1970: I am aware of Mini's becoming their own marque after 1969, but here in Canada - where sales continued until 1980 - they were sold as the "Austin Mini 1000" with only the Mini 1000 sedan being offered...
I suspect that the British repair garages in any major Canadian city will be able to do work on a Rover Mini.
And just for the record... After 1970: I am aware of Mini's becoming their own marque after 1969, but here in Canada - where sales continued until 1980 - they were sold as the "Austin Mini 1000" with only the Mini 1000 sedan being offered...
dklawson
Yoda
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I have been told the engine control unit for the MPI cars is a Delco part that may be read/diagnosed with GM test equipment. However, I have no first hand experience with this... consider it hearsay.
My comment about getting the later cars serviced in North America stems from posts on other message boards where owners have complained about cars not starting for various reasons due to interlocks built into the controls. These were problems that would probably be minor in the U.K. but took a long time to troubleshoot over here.
My comment about getting the later cars serviced in North America stems from posts on other message boards where owners have complained about cars not starting for various reasons due to interlocks built into the controls. These were problems that would probably be minor in the U.K. but took a long time to troubleshoot over here.
cosimo_mini
Freshman Member
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I prefer older cars all the way!! the later cars (rover ones) rot out in the scuttle area and wings like now other era of mini production. now all of these cars rust but certain years are worse.
the real problem is that they look great and drive real well when the work. so they are very suductive to the casual buyer who may not do much research in to the cars and buys one on a whim. the rust that I find often is not very visable in photos when buyers look at cars online.
infact I have a car in my shop that sold on ebay for over 12 grand.. at the time of sale it needed EVERYTHING! body work brakes and suspension work. needs major body work IE:scuttle panel,A-panel wings front panel, sills and work in the boot just to start. It really wants to striped to a shell.
I think that the long and the shot of it if some one wants a newer car because of the nicer interior or better gearing you really need to have it checked out well by a mini mechanic, some one who knows the cars.
Cosimo
https://www.madhouseminis.com
the real problem is that they look great and drive real well when the work. so they are very suductive to the casual buyer who may not do much research in to the cars and buys one on a whim. the rust that I find often is not very visable in photos when buyers look at cars online.
infact I have a car in my shop that sold on ebay for over 12 grand.. at the time of sale it needed EVERYTHING! body work brakes and suspension work. needs major body work IE:scuttle panel,A-panel wings front panel, sills and work in the boot just to start. It really wants to striped to a shell.
I think that the long and the shot of it if some one wants a newer car because of the nicer interior or better gearing you really need to have it checked out well by a mini mechanic, some one who knows the cars.
Cosimo
https://www.madhouseminis.com