Classic Mini MK3 / MKIII held between1969 to 1976. The MK3 generation has brought some big changes for the Mini. On November 1969, BMC announced that the names Austin and Morris were dropped from the Mini and from there onwards all cars model has become known as “Mini”. The most obvious or biggest changes from MK2 to MK3 were the changed of external door hinges to internal hinges. We no longer can see 2 pieces of hinges at the car door.

Mini MK3 / MKIII Specification

Another noticeable alteration to the car was the deletion of slide windows and it has been replaced with wind-up front windows. On the other hand for the interior of the Mini car, it is almost similar to MK2 the large door pocket had disappeared and the side panel has been changed as well as a bigger rear-side window was fitted. As mentioned the MK3 has bring a huge change, this is also because the Mini Clubman, Mini Clubman Estate, 1275GT were introduced during this era. The production of Mini Cooper 998, Mini Countryman/Estate, Riley Elf and Wolseley Hornet as from Classic Mini First Generation MK1 and Classic Mini MK2 Generation were discontinued as well.

Mini 850

1969 – 1979
Production of Mini 850
Details: Move to Mk3 body shell with internal hinges and wind up windows. Dropped of Austin / Morris branding on the car, truly known as “Mini”.
Engine size: 848cc
Original price: £596  

Some technical Specification on Mini 850

The Mini 850 were using the magic wand gear-lever until December 1972. This was replaced with rod change for all manual vehicles on end December 1972 onwards. During April 1973, an offset sphere plunging (pot joints) were fitted to the driveshaft and dry suspension were fitted to MK3 850 and 1000 saloons.

1969 – 1980
Production of Mini Clubman and Mini Clubman Estate
Details: Move to Mk3 bodyshell with internal hinges and wind up windows with redesigned and new front look. The first appearance of the two clock instrument binnacle. Clubman model used hydrolastic suspension until 1971 whereas Clubman Estate used dry cone suspension throughout production. Clubman estate similar in appearance to the Austin Countryman/Morris Traveller but wood panels not an option.
Engine Size: 998cc / 1098cc available from 1975
Original price: £720 (Mini Clubman) £763 (Mini Clubman Estate)

1969 – 1980
Production of Mini 1275 GT
Details: Same facelift bodyshell as the Mini Clubman. Rostyle steel wheels were changed to 12 inch in 1974 to cover front disc brakes which is 7.5 inches disc. Features close ratio gearbox and additional rev counter.
Engine size: 1275cc
Original price: £834

1969 – 1982
Production of Mini 1000
Details: Move to Mk3 bodyshell with internal hinges and wind up windows. Higher quality interior than the Mini 850 with inertia seatbelts and reclining seats. Renamed Mini 1000 Super in 1979. Renamed again to Mini 1000HL in 1980.
Engine size: 998cc
Original price: £675 (Mini 1000) £3,122 (Mini 1000HL)

1969 – 1983
Production of Mini Van
Details: Name changed from Austin/Morris but otherwise a similar specification.
Engine size: 848cc / 998cc

1969 – 1983
Production of Mini Pickup
Details: Name changed from Austin/Morris but otherwise a similar specification.
Engine size: 848cc / 998cc

  
An 1971 MK3 Mini Cooper ‘S’
  
1970 – 1971
Production of Mini Cooper ‘S’ Mk3
Details: Same grille as the other production models and similar overall appearance. Internal door hinges and wind up windows. No two tone paint option. Another thing that carry on with MK3 Cooper S was the hydrolastic suspension.
Engine size: 1275cc
Original price: £942

Well, it is said that the Mini Cooper S MK3 has the best handling and it was the best ride comparing to any production of Mini in the past. The outlook for a MK3 Mini Cooper S is almost similar to a Mini 1000. A very easy external clue that can be easily seen by untrained “Mini eye” is the twin petrol tanks. Other items that can be virtually distinguished from a Mini 1000 were the wheels and boot badge. Mini Cooper S MK3/MKIII has a different grille, two tone paint as well. For the internal, it has come with the 130mph speedometer which is very rare nowadays.

See: 1972 MKIII Mini Cooper S

1976
Release of Mini Limited Edition 1000
Details: Green and white with a gold body stripe. Featured recling seats and face level ventilation.
Engine size: 998cc
Original price: £1,406

Other related Mini Generation:
Mini Mark 1 – MK1/MKI
Mini Mark 2 – MK2/MKII
Mini Mark 3 – MK3/MKIII
Mini Mark 4 – MK4/MKIV
Mini Mark 5 – MK5/MKV
Mini Mark 6 – MK6/MKVI
Mini Mark 7 – MK7/MKVII