The wiper motor should have a 4 digit week and year code on it also, ie: 34 75 would be the 34th week 1975 and if original it should be somewhere close to the boot lid latch code.

Canadian cars retained the amber/red tail lamp units up till the end of production with a separate reversing light under the bumper - mine is so late in the run it never went to Canada...

PM sent...

Sorry about that, thought it was set up.  Good now.

The only photos of the engine I have are the two posted.  Not much help for this detail.  I have a deposit on the vehicle and will be utilizing info from this thread when I get hands on.  The Minis my mates drove in the mid-70's where MkI & MkIIs.  As a young punk then, I didn't have an eye for all this detail. - djm- 

In Canada any left over Minis were sold as the next years model.
Keith's 1976 Mini had the fat headrests and bigger switches. My 1976 Mini had the smaller switches and the slimmer headrests.

Are there smog bolts in the cylinder head?

Distributor will have a date stamp and if you use a mirror you can see a date on the back of the brake master cylinder too.

Last trick remove the door panel and the lock latch will have a date stamped on it.

Deb

Again...to everyone...thanks for stepping up with info.  It is all very helpful- Cheers- Darrell

Bigger headrests are up to April 1976. Master cylinder is  pre 79. Try looking for numbers on the trunk lid latch.
Serial number is correct. 1975 XL2SIN, 1977 XL2SJN, 1978-1979 XL2SKN, 1980 XL2SLN....

subyguy...for the life of me I can't find your email address to PM you.

I'm in Alberta as well, and recall seeing the car before in an ad.

Wow...I really appreciate all the help here guys.  I knew you guys would be a wealth of info.  Feeling MUCH better now. 

-subyguy-
"Is this the car that was for sale in Grande Prairie?  If so and need further help i'm in Alberta also and know a bit about theses cars.  Email in profile."

Yes-one in the same car...I will PM you.

Is this the car that was for sale in Grande Prairie?  If so and need further help i'm in Alberta also and know a bit about theses cars.  Email in profile.

For these Canadian build cars, There are two VIN plates, one on the windshield post and another on the driver's side door. Note that that means the left door. The door plate also has the date of manufacture. That is an original windshield post VIN and it is installed in the correct spot. They are not easily accessed with the windshield in place.

this car does look like a 1975 or 1976. While books often say that 1976 minis were MK IV, my own experience with Canadian Mini 1000s leads me to generally consider a 1976 car a MK III.

Does the dash have four small rocker type switches? From later 1975, One is wipers, one is the washer squirted, one is the rear defrost and the fourth is the hazard warning lamps. Headlamps and brake failure warning system lamp and test switch, along with a seat belt warning lamp, are on a small panel to the driver's left. Earlier 1975 cars had larger rocker switches, a manual pump for washer squirter, and other switches on another type of panel over on the left.

Thanks for chiming in Jemal.  I have to update my Profile.  I am in Canada and so is this vehicle.  The vehicle is already registered so I don't worry about registering it.  Just some concern about a "Frankenmini".  The VIN plate concerns me.  It looks cheap, imitated.  I will be checking those sub-frame mount bolts.  Feeling more confident after your observations.  Cheers-Darrell 

In my very limited time around Mini's so far the only models I have seen those side markers on are Canadian ones.  And as Jemal pointed out, the tails seem to be amber and red only.  No white reverse bulb, meaning the car could be correct in age.  The reverse lights showed up later, as Jemal points out.  But that is not to say that whoever did not swap the lights for an older appearance.  It is common for people to swap parts to fit their personal style.

It does look like a late MK3 from Canada.  Note the "backwards" radiator!  That's because they actually had a "smog pump" mounted above the alternator!  Also the side marker lights above the front and back wheels, and it would have had those famously hideous bumpers!


Check the front sub frame mounting above the front Springs.  One big 1 1/4 inch head bolt per side, or two long 3/8-24 bolts, usually with 1/2 inch heads?  The former usually means 76 and later MK4+ Usually with larger tail lamps with a big clear reverse lens.  The latter would be MK3 up to 1975, with the tail lights it has....

Hello...new member on this Forum.  I'm hoping you guys will be able to shed a little light on a vehicle I'm looking into.  I'm told this Mini is a 1975.  I have been pouring over the resources on this site trying to confirm that this is indeed a 1975.  The VIN plate looks like no other VIN plate I've seen on a Mini. It is placed on the door area.  The VIN format looks good ( I believe).  When I asked about a VIN plate under the bonnet the fellow said he couldn't find anything. I've never owned a Mini before but have been around them since the '70s.  Do the reflectors over the rear wheels help identify this car?  How about the engine?  Those photos aren't ideal but maybe some sharp eyes here can help me.  I would just like to confirm that this is what it is advertised to be...a 1975 Mini.  This vehicle is quite a distance from where I'm located.  Trying to get my initial homework done.  Thanks in advance...Darrell