Editing Mini (section)

==Mark III: 1969–1976==
{{Infobox automobile
| name         = Mark III
| image        = 1970 Mini by Keld Gydum.jpg
| aka          = 
| caption      = 1970 Mini
| manufacturer = British Leyland Motor Corporation
| production   = October 1969–1976
| assembly     = {{unbulleted list | [[Longbridge plant]], United Kingdom | [[Seneffe]], Belgium | [[Petone]], New Zealand | [[Setúbal]], Portugal | [[Cape Town]], South Africa | [[Pamplona]], Spain }}
| predecessor  = Mark II
| successor    = Mark IV
| body_style   = {{plainlist|
*2-door [[sedan (car)|saloon]]
*2-door [[Pickup truck|pick-up]]
*2-door van}}
| layout       = Front wheel drive
| platform     = ADO20
| engine       = {{plainlist|
*{{cvt|848|cc|L|1}} [[Straight-four engine|I4]]
*{{cvt|998|cc|L|1}} I4
*{{cvt|1275|cc|L|1}} I4}}
| transmission = 4-speed manual
| wheelbase    = 2.04&nbsp;m
| length       = 3.06&nbsp;m
| width        = 1.42&nbsp;m
| height       = 1.36&nbsp;m
| weight       = {{plainlist|
*610&nbsp;kg (848&nbsp;cc version)
*645&nbsp;kg (1275&nbsp;cc version)}}
| related      = 
| designer     = 
| sp           = uk
}}

The Mark III Mini had a modified bodyshell with enough alterations to see the factory code change from ADO15 to ADO20 (which it shared with the Clubman). The most obvious changes were larger doors with concealed hinges. Customer demand led to the sliding windows being replaced with winding windows, although all Australian-manufactured Mark I Minis had adopted this feature in 1965 (with opening quarterlight windows). The suspension reverted from Hydrolastic to rubber cones<ref name=Autocar1976/> as a cost-saving measure.<ref name="mrtb5">{{cite book | title=Mini Gold Portfolio 1981–1997 | isbn=1-85520-385-5 | last1=Clarke | first1=R. M. | date=26 January 1998 | publisher=Brooklands Books Limited }}</ref> (The 1275 GT and Clubman retained the Hydrolastic system until June 1971, when they, too, switched to the rubber cone suspension of the original Minis.<ref name=Autocar1976/>)

In 1969, the simple name Mini completely replaced the separate Austin and Morris brands.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.histomobile.com/1/Mini/1969/-_.htm?lan=1 |title=Mini–mk III (1969–2000) history, pictures |publisher=Histomobile.com |date=5 October 2010 |access-date=11 October 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110615153350/http://www.histomobile.com/1/Mini/1969/-_.htm?lan=1 |archive-date=15 June 2011}}</ref> In April 1974, a heater became standard equipment on the entry-level Mini 850, as well, having by then already been included in the standard specification of the other models for some time.<ref name=Autocar1976/>

In the late 1970s, Innocenti introduced the [[Innocenti Mini|Innocenti 90 and 120]], [[Gruppo Bertone|Bertone]]-designed hatchbacks based on the Mini platform. Bertone also created a Mini Cooper equivalent, christened the [[Innocenti De Tomaso]], that sported a 1275&nbsp;cc engine similar to the MG Metro engine, but with an 11-stud head, a special inlet manifold, and used the "A" clutch instead of the "Verto" type. It also used [[Constant-velocity joint|homokinetic shafts]] instead of rubber couplings.

The Mini was still popular in the UK, but appeared increasingly outdated in the face of newer and more practical rivals. Since the late 1960s, plans had been in place for a newer and more practical supermini to replace it, though the Mini was still the only car of this size built by British Leyland for the home market.

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