Reference Pics

This post is for the trainspotters out there.  The Mini Mk3 was unique to South Africa and was manufactured from late 1969 to 1971.  It combines an Austin Mini front end with a Riley Elf / Wolsley Hornet rear end.  (The Elf / Hornet pressings were shipped to South Africa when production ended in the UK in 1969.)

The cars have some unique features.  The body plate was cut at the factory to remove "Made in Longbridge England" and a BMC South Africa plate was added".   Some cars still have dymo plastic tape on the right inner wing which was a factory distribution mark.   The starter motor should be stamped Lucas South Africa.  Radiators were made by Silverton in Cape Town and should be marked so.  Wiper motors are stamped with the month and year of manufacture e.g. mine is stamped 04 69.  The car has unique emblems showing the Austin crest.  They were badged Mk3 as opposed to Mk III in the UK and the Mk3 badge is pretty rare.  The car had unique wheel trims and hubcaps.  Bumpers are shared with the Elf / Hornet and the over-riders are now very rare.  All models had the 1000cc motor with an engine number beginning 9AK- .  The motors were locally assembled and were painted a pink-purple (puce?) color to differentiate them from UK built motors which were painted green.   The doors are also unique and the wind up windows without quarter lights preceded the UK introduction of this feature.   The interior is as basic as most Minis.  The ashtray is a deluxe version with a flip up chrome lid and the steering wheel boss badge is unique, untracked ones are impossible to find!)

The pics show most of these original features on my car.

About 3700 were made in total and Ryno Verster tells me that about 500 are known to the Mk3 register.  It seems these cars did not sell that well and were unappreciated until recently.  Enthusiasm is growing now and more cars seem to be coming out of the woodwork, a very good thing.  There are lots of bitzas out there so I hope this information helps if you are looking for an original car.