18 replies to this topic

[stevespi]

Hello All,

Ok iv got a 1980 V Reg Mini 1000 and im unsure if its actually a Leyland or an Austin. The logbook says its an Austin Morris, but the engine plate has both an Austin & a Leyland logo. The interior has the Leyland steering wheel and the Mini 1000 badge on the boot has the Leyland badge. So is it possible that my car was late registered and was built as a Leyland, but has Austin Morris on the logbook??

Actually im only really asking, as It hasnt got a badge on the bonnet. So I can either buy the Leyland or the slightly later badge?

Thank you

Steve

[thehelstonian]

Hello All,

Ok iv got a 1980 V Reg Mini 1000 and im unsure if its actually a Leyland or an Austin. The logbook says its an Austin Morris, but the engine plate has both an Austin & a Leyland logo. The interior has the Leyland steering wheel and the Mini 1000 badge on the boot has the Leyland badge. So is it possible that my car was late registered and was built as a Leyland, but has Austin Morris on the logbook??

Actually im only really asking, as It hasnt got a badge on the bonnet. So I can either buy the Leyland or the slightly later badge?

Thank you

Steve

Interestingly enough i had the same issue the other day, mines 1980 - its down as an austin 1000 but if you decipher the vin number mine actually is an Austin mini special deluxe....id say an austin

[stevespi]

Sorry really dumb question. How would I work out from the VIN? Is there a table with the data I could look up?

[thehelstonian]

do a search on here (its all i did) search VIN decipher and follow the link in fact its on mini mania.com

[Dan]

Austin in this era means Austin Rover, a brand name for Leyland Cars. Austin and Morris both ceased to exist as marques in 1969 when BL was formed and from that time the brand name for all Minis was simply Mini.

[tomgale]

the logbook for my '82 says "austin mini 1000"

[Ethel]

Like Dan says, the names are largely academic. It was all BMC from before the Mini was a twinkle in Issigonis's eye. When it was BL the names were used to differentiate the front and rear wheel drive cars Morris Marina, Ital; Austin Allegro, Princess, Ambassador...

Maybe it was a case of "computer says no" at the DVLA when the Mini ceased being a model 'n became a make - it is the civil service after all.

[CMcB]

Austin in this era means Austin Rover, a brand name for Leyland Cars. Austin and Morris both ceased to exist as marques in 1969 when BL was formed and from that time the brand name for all Minis was simply Mini.

That's not entirely true. The Morris brand was phased out and the Austin brand was kept - as it was deemed more well known - and used for the Austin Metro in the early 80s. So if it's an 80s Mini it's likely to be an Austin, but check the VIN numbers. However Leyland was the name of the motor group that owned the Austin brand, so in theory both are correct. It would be a British Leyland (company) Austin (marque) Mini (model),

The funny thing is that you say the logbook says it is an Austin Morris Mini. When it should be either Austin or Morris Mini, not both. However this could be down to laziness of the person who filled out the original form or the worker at the DVLA.

Edited by CMcB, 22 January 2011 - 01:45 AM.

[stevespi]

I imagine its actually an Austin, but funnily enough to confuse things even more. The original sales invoice (from Reigate Motor Company in 1980) says Leyland Mini 1000. But I imagine this is just a writing error on the invoice. Iv checked the logbook again and it does say Austin Morris and strangely the DVLA Vehicle Enquires site has Austin Morris as a make.

Thanks for all your help.

Steve

[Stevee]

I have this issue with my Austin Morris Mini 1000

Its not British Leyland only the Clubman was British leyland all the saloons were Austin Morris

its confusing but way it works as ive been told by a few people who worked at rover in kettering.

[minimanclive]

Just to throw in some more confusion into the mix. My 1970s Mini 1000, with a BL Bonnet badge, was on the log book as a Leyland Cars Mini 1000.

I think it's entirely down to whatever mood the person was in when the forms were filled in when the cars were new. Just look at all the 1980s Racing/Flame/Checkmates where the logbooks list a car as being all three.

[mab01uk]

The Dealer selling a new car registered it with the DVLA for the buyer and certainly back then also filled out the registration forms which the DVLA inputed to their system, and most were not that exact on the make description after 'Mini' became a newly-independent 'brand' of its own in 1969 with the introduction of the Mk3. Most people have difficulty knowing what BMC, British Leyland, BLMC, Leyland, Austin-Morris, Austin-Rover and MG Rover were called at any point in time, particularly in the 1970's and 80's so its not worth getting too worked up about what your log book description or bonnet badge actually says.........

Likewise most of the New MINI log books I have seen have 'Mini' as both the make and model but I guess there are some with BMW as the make if Dealer errors and the DVLA system still allows any variations!

Evolution of the Austin Rover logo:
http://www.aronline........=44&t=11642

Edited by mab01uk, 22 January 2011 - 10:39 AM.

[stevespi]

Its actually quite interesting and iv learnt a lot from this. Thank you all.

[mininuts]

Actually im only really asking, as It hasnt got a badge on the bonnet. So I can either buy the Leyland or the slightly later badge?

This is the badge you need for your bonnet

[Stevee]

Actually im only really asking, as It hasnt got a badge on the bonnet. So I can either buy the Leyland or the slightly later badge?

This is the badge you need for your bonnet

I have this badge ;]

also the blue version and the mark 3 cooper s badge