6 replies to this topic

[csthomsen]

Hi

What's the diffrence between Deluxe and Super Deluxe?

My Mini is from 1963 but I don't know if its a Deluxe or super Deluxe.

Please help me....

Claus

[Guess-Works.com]

basically trim level...

but this is one for the anorak

Edited by GuessWorks.co.uk, 23 January 2009 - 04:53 PM.

[taffy1967]

Well I know that the 1961/62 short-lived Mini Super had the same trim level as the early Mini Cooper (plus a duo-tone roof colour). Many say the Cooper actually borrowed the trim from the Super.

But if nobody here knows the exact answer, then it might be worth asking on the 'Early Mini Forum' here: -

http://www.specialistminiforums.com/

Edited by taffy1967, 23 January 2009 - 10:23 PM.

[dklawson]

Thanks for the link Taffy.

[THE ANORAK]

when the mini was first launched two badge-engineered cars were available, known as the Morris Mini Minor and the Austin Se7en. Although these were made in separate BMC factories, they were basically the same car with different badges, grille, and colours. Two levels of trim were available - standard and De Luxe. The standard was priced at £479 and was basic to say the least. It had fixed rear quarter windows, a fixed passenger seat, a bare painted dash, loose rubber floor mats and cloth upholstery, there was only one sun visor, no screen washers, no heater and a bare painted filler cap.

The De Luxe was luxurious by comparison with two-tone vinyl upholstery, flecked cockpit trim, a vinyl-covered dashboard and a carpet.
There were twin screen washers, passenger seat adjustment, a passenger’s sun visor, hinged rear quarter-lights (side windows) and a heater. Externally the De Luxe was covered with extra chrome and bumper over riders. All these extras were included for only £40 extra.

In September 1961 the Mini Cooper was introduced, and with it came the Morris Super Mini-Minor and the Austin Super Se7en, price £592. These were basically Mini Coopers without the engine modifications and featured a new grille and three clock instruments. A 16-blade fan was fitted from October 1961 to reduce engine noise.

In January 1962 the Austin models lost the name se7en and simply became Austin Minis. so you would have an austin super mini instead of the austin super se7en.

in october 1962 the De Luxe and Super models were replaced by one car known as the Super De Luxe, with revised interior trim.

so basically the super De luxe is the result of combining two previous cars, the De luxe and the super.

if yours is a 1964 car, it will be a Super De luxe

[dklawson]

My '64 was built for export to Switzerland. It's Heritage certificate confirms I have the original engine and body. I bring this up because I noticed an interesting twist based on Anorak's post above.

My car came to me as a project. It had the original paint in most places that weren't rusty or covered with marine paint to stop the spread of rust. Along the bottom edge of the car, behind the doors and above the horizontal body/sill seam were witness marks from some LONG GONE decals. You could clearly see in the paint at at some point my car sported decals something to the effect of "Morris Mini Minor". I don't remember seeing "super" in that string of text. Perhaps an early owner added the trim decal from an earlier car to "dress it up"? I can't see why since mine is an -S and those little -S badges dress it up as much as I'd ever want. Maybe they wanted to disguise what they were driving?

[62S]

My Mini is from 1963 but I don't know if its a Deluxe or super Deluxe.

Built in 1963 or registered in 1963 or built and registered in 1963?

The chassis number will tell you - if M/A2S4 - D - ****** it's a Deluxe
M/A2S4 - S - ****** it's a Super Deluxe.

behind the doors and above the horizontal body/sill seam were witness marks from some LONG GONE decals. You could clearly see in the paint at at some point my car sported decals something to the effect of "Morris Mini Minor"

Back in the day these were known as sidewinders - not dissimilar to the stripes on a 1275GT.