Meet The Owner - Connor Mackenzie and his Mini City

“I literally just stumbled across it on eBay, of all places! The typical public reaction is smiles and waves - people love it. At petrol stations, it’s impossible to not strike up a conversation!”.

Connor Mackenzie’s 1982 City exudes such charisma that it is hard to believe that 42 years ago, some of British Leyland’s management regarded the Mini as an anachronism. Those readers of my age (born the year the BBC first screened Monty Python’s Flying Circus) will probably recall the volume of publicity the Austin Metro received in the very early 1980s. Given this crucial model’s importance to the BL empire, it was a logical marketing policy, but there was also the sense they were neglecting the Mini. 

True, there was a major documentary featuring Peter Sellers, Lord Snowdon and John Cooper et al to mark its 20th birthday in 1979, and the very fine 1100 Special to celebrate the anniversary further. But the Metro’s launch the following year saw the demise of the 1275GT and the Clubman saloons. Sales of the Clubman Estate, later known as the 1000HL, ended in 1982, and at that time, there was a faint sense that Leyland hoped the Mini would fade away.

Of course, history relates this did not happen, with the 1984 limited edition 25 heralding a fresh approach to promoting the Mini. As for Connor’s example, it is a fascinating reminder of economy motoring, 1982-style. BL introduced the City as the entry-level Mini in 1980, and compared with its 850 predecessor, it boasted a 1-litre engine. 

The owner of a 1959 Morris Mini-Minor or Austin Seven might have been amazed at the City’s fresh-air heater and lack of a separate starter button and flashing indicator stalk. However, much was reassuringly familiar, including the ‘bus driver’ seating position, the ten-inch wheels and that centrally mounted circular dial. As for those drivers who aspired to reclining front seats, fresh air vents, a water temperature gauge and reversing lamps, they needed to invest in the upmarket HL. Nor did the City have decadent hinged rear side windows.

The price of a Mini City in 1982 was £2,899, compared with £2,475 for the Citroën 2CV6 and £2,669 for the Dyane 6 Weekend. The Renault 4 was another obvious rival at £3,199, while the fashionably minded driver might opt for the Fiat Panda at £2,995. In addition, Reliant offered the Kitten DL, but at £3,425, it was comparatively expensive.

Today, Connor’s Mini is an eye-catching reminder of the great car au naturelle. The City was the version that dominated the nation’s car parks and high streets.  In his words: “It is amazing to drive. I recently had it properly set up by AC Dodd, and it runs beautifully now. It is even running period fitment, Dunlop Aquajets too!”

And who could resist the charm of a Mini with “dapper houndstooth cloth seat facings”?

With thanks to Connor Mackenzie for his time and permission to use the images in this blog.