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Extracts from the 1996 Brochure launching the 1997 model year Minis
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Side impact beams? In a Mini? Whatever next. Retrofitted to such an old design of car they were probably of mixed benefit.
I read at the time a fire brigade report that said that in a frontal impact, the beams would cause the door to completely jam shut making rescue more difficult... More of a marketing thing I think... |
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Pre-tensioned seatbelts was probably a good idea. The further you were from the steering wheel/column (that was probably approaching you at high speed) the better...
At the time, Rover had just finished retro-fitting them to all their other cars. |
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TWO heater speeds? Whatever next? What a ridiculous idea. one was more than enough...
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Height adjustable headlights? WHY! The Mini doesn't change height much when fully laden (compared to empty).
The motors usually failed fairly quickly anyway... |
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Mini Cooper with optional black leather interior
20 years later, these seats are much sought after and often worth more than the Mini they're inside. |
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Mini Cooper (non-sportspack) dash (you can tell because it only has the clock in the middle)
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Mini (sportspack) dash - you can tell its a sportspack coz of the extra dials in the middle. But why does it not have a 2-tone steering wheel?
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Mini with optional classic grey leather seats with red piping and matching red carpets and steering wheel.
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Yikes!! Mini with optional classic leather in blue,
with a blue carpet, blue handbrake, blue gear lever, blue doors, blue steering wheel.... Its a bit much really. |