5488/5537 - Pivoting quadrant on radius arm for handbrake cable August - 10151/11670 - Castor angle changed from 1.5 to 3 degrees December - Interior trim changes for the Austin Seven 1960 January - 10502 - Modified window catches February - 14215 - Morris Only. Improved trim, Improved dampers, fuel tank drain plug, modified window catches March - 19126 - First Countryman April - 26590/24831 - Drive shafts modified May - Mini van announced September - 19101 - Wood framing available on Countryman/Traveller October - 58698 - Austin Seven upgraded to Feb Morris spec Late 1960 - Recessed panels around front and rear screens introduced 1961 Sep 1961 - Mini Cooper launched Late 1961 - Riveted wheels replaced with welded 1962 01/01/1962 - Austin Seven rebadged Austin Mini, metal oil filler cap replaced with plastic 1963 May 1963 - Chrome window catches and 10 hole runners replaced with plastic catches and 2 hole runners June 1963 - Upper seat belt mounts in the B-pillar lowered 4.5" 1964 Jul 1964 - 'Cutout' front panel added Sep 1964 - Courtesy light switches added to A-panel Sep 1964 - Hydrolastic suspension introduced Oct 1964 - Seat mounting brackets gained 3-point adjustments 1965 Oct 1965 - In 1965 an AP (Automotive Products) four-speed automatic transmission as an alternative, amazingly, it was little bigger than the original unit and so was able to occupy the same space. As a motoring program from the time reported "you can still change the gears manually or you can put the lever into the bottom of the gate and car changes itself. BMC call it the his or hers system, for equal appeal for men or women drivers it's the first automatic transmission ever offered on such a small car." 1966 Jan 1966 - Safety boss added to external door handles 1967 Oct 1967 - Mark I replaced by Mark II Production date stamps Certain components fitted to Mark I cars were stamped with the date on which they were made. This is in the format of month/year, like 1/62 for January 1962. These dates can be useful for working out the age of a specific car, or for judging how original it is. The following components are known to be date stamped in this manner: See also Mini - For details of this and other Mini models References External links BMC vehicles Mini vehicles Front-wheel-drive vehicles Coupés 1960s