Hey everyone I was hoping you could help me, I bought my Mini a few months ago and was told its a 1978 leyland mini 1000, but then I did some research on it and Im starting to think its a 1988 jet black edition. Do you know any ways I can find out what it is?

The reasons I think its a jet black one is that it has the jet black grill and seats and it looks like it was previously black (now its red, not my doing) it also has a badge on the back that says "mini special". I was told the lock on the boot has a number stamped on it that will tell the year but I think it was been replaced. also I saw that 88 was the only year they made the jet black edition.

 

There should also be a month/year stamped on your windshield wiper motor. If the number plate on the front is correct for the car, the 'T' suffix indicates that the car was first registered between 1 August 1978 and 31 July 1979.

 

It looks more like a 80's car then a 70's car to me. The side marker lights and the tail lights tell me it is a later car. I am sure someone on here knows.

 

The boot latch has the week and year the car was made stamped on it. look on the top of it by the boot seal...

 

Thanks, Ill check that as soon as I get home tonight

I have heard they changed the tail lights at some point, i forgot about that though. Ill also see if I can find when they added the side turn signals, that does seem like something that they would add later in the production. Thanks for the ideas

ahh I didnt know that, Thanks Ill check that when I get home too

 

more unhelp then help maybe but

starting here
https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...d-history.html

I went to here
http://www.malaysiaminilover.com/cla...mkiv-1976-1984
and just quickly scanning the info I see a number of cars called 'special' and with black grills

checking the wiring diagrams in the Haynes there are several years where a 'special' is one of the models .....

this page
http://www.malaysiaminilover.com/mini-mk5-mkv-1985-1991

says
Front 8.4-inch disc brakes across the range
Special/Plastic wheel arch extensions
12-inch wheels
Side repeater indicators were fitted to front wings for model from 1986 onwards

suggesting a MARK5

do you have disk brakes up front?
reclining seats?
center speedo or 3 dials b4 the steering wheel?
engine size?

tail light with built in reverse lite came in 77?
http://www.minimania.com/web/Item/XF.../InvDetail.cfm


1988
Production of Mini Red Hot and Mini Jet Black
Date Launched: February 1988.
Limited Edition: The production for each car was 3,000 which each of the 1,000 were sold in UK and the rest were export to others country.
Details: The born for Mini Twins. Based on the Mini City and painted in red for the Red Hot and black for the Jet Black. Both were produced with silver wheel trims and tinted windows. Full width wheel trims, opening side windows, tinted glass, push button radio
Color and outlook: Red for Red Hot and Black for Jet Black.
Decals/badges: For Red Hot, Black coachline and ‘Red Hot’ logos. For Jet Black, Red coachline and ‘Jet Black’ logos.
Exterior Trim: Both come with Chrome bumpers and grille surround
Interior: Both come with Black velour.
Engine size: 998cc


would a Heritage Certificate identify the model?

 

wow thats a lot of information, I do have front disk brakes and rear drum, the seats do recline, the speedo is on the steering column, and the 998 motor, and 12in wheels. but no radio :( Thanks for your help, I really appreciate it

 

btw - again probably something you alread know but for this to be an 80's, but have be "re-vin'd" to get it into the country and registered as a 70's (the 25 year old rule) would be very very common . . .

 

Actually the 25 year rule will let you import a car up to a 1984 model. Time marches on!

 

I was meaning that this could have happen earlier .... so that even getting a Heritage based on the VIN might not be conclusive as to what it really IS.

 

You're right - you sometimes have to be a bit of a detective when you're looking at Minis!

 

The side marker lamps in the front fender indicated that it's at least an 84 model. Check your starter motor. If still the original it'll have the built date on a sticker on it. You may have to remove it in order to see it. The alternator might also have a built date on it. Also check your speedometer cable on the gauge side. Cables with the white plastic ends were introduced by Rover when the started fitting the Nippon Seiki gauges in 1988.

CasaMini