The added pictures may be of interest to anyone with an ex-Police Mini. These are extracts from a Service Record of an STP car based in Marulan (on the Hume Highway near Goulburn). This particular car from late 1970/ early 1971 (Camino Gold, engine #56234 and chassis 2840) isn't on the register so probably didn't survive. The list of fitted equipment seems pretty typical based on Doug's comments, although interesting to see a "firegun" listed. What is most surprising is to see oil changes, grease and servicing undertaken weekly at ~1100 miles, not the 60 days suggested on the lube sticker. Not shown on the attached pictures, but in the Service Record are the tyre replacements, typically every 13-15,000 miles (Dunlops). Fuel consumption rarely recorded, but varied between 25-31mpg

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1970 Cooper S SPO41

thats awesome, thanks for posting!

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did I tell you that I won a trophy?

L9⁹⁰

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Thanks for sharing that. Often the sort of thing that never gets seen!

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1963 Morris 850 Smoke Grey
1963 Morris 850 Shadow Blue
1965 Morris Mini Smooth Van
1966 Morris Mini Van
1969 Morris Mini Deluxe Resto
5/72 Clubman Gt

Two small items of interest from the Record of Accessories is that four seat belts fitted and the Description of the Vehicle lists it a a five seat.

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John Sneddon
0408 431 807
1963 Morris Cooper
1965 Morris 850
1968 Morris Cooper S

Bill B politely corrected me on the firegun. Not a weapon, but a fire extinguisher. The brand is Kidde. Apparently the portable fire extinguisher was invented by Walter Kidde in 1917. Still in business to this day making fire extinguisher.

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1970 Cooper S SPO41

John,
Interesting stuff.
Ever since I've owned my 1969 Mini, since 1978, Qld Registration Certificates have always shown the number of seats as 5. I just took it as a typo. Four seat belts are installed, I assume factory fitted as each buckle has the BMC logo on the button.

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Clive G
1969 Mk II Cooper S
1970 MK II Cooper S
1963 Triumph Spitfire
1982 RX-7 Series 2

And the compliance plates fitted after 1969 state "Seats:4".

The "Seats" number on the compliance plate was never really meant to refer to the actual seating capacity, it was supposed to be the number of seat belt anchorages fitted. This evolved over time.

So that would mean a car with 4 seat belts fitted could have carried more than 4 people or a utility or panel van could carry a few people in the back until the regulations actually prohibited it?

That's right. You could legally carry as many people as you wanted in a Mini as long as 4 people were wearing seat belts (if fitted)
I remember that it was once lawful to have people riding on the back of a truck for the purpose of securing a load.

The seating number stamped on the ADR plate was discussed here. It's not related to the number of seat belts but simply seating positions.

http://www.ausmini.com/forums/viewtopic ... &p=1039575

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ex-NSW Police 1970 MK II Cooper S
VMCI #43