Recessed Screens Enigma

[tobybone]

HI, I have a 1960 Morris deluxe. Vin, Engine and body plates match Heritage certificate. Build date June 1960 first registered July 1960.
Fe plate dates to May 1960 the plate looks original and unmolested.
It has a drip rail I understand these where introduced May 1960 so fits build date.
It has welded on seat brackets these look original and unmolested and I understand these where fitted pre October 1960 so fits build date.
Floor pan has the smaller feet depressions with three straight recessed ribs leading to them which I understand to be pre October 1960 so fits build date the floor has had patch repairs at some stage but main floor seems original.
The car however has recessed front and rear screens which I understand to be post October 1960 these appear to be original and unmolested.
Originally I thought at first it had had a re-shell but now i'm not sure, has anybody come across recessed screens this early?

[mk1]

I certainly haven't.

[cpr1]

Have an unmolested December 60, Austin 850 front screen recessed, rear no recess.

[Peter Laidler]

I've never owned an early mini..... a D reg '66 is my earliest. But the recessed or not just seems to me like a case of 'waste not, want not'. Use up the existing stockpile before you start on the new.

I wonder where GRX 569 D is now. The number plate alone would be worth a bomb to a works replica owner

[mab01uk]

I've never owned an early mini..... a D reg '66 is my earliest. But the recessed or not just seems to me like a case of 'waste not, want not'. Use up the existing stockpile before you start on the new.

I wonder where GRX 569 D is now. The number plate alone would be worth a bomb to a works replica owner

Looks like it disappeared from the road in 1986...probably scrapped.

GRX 569D
✗ Untaxed
Tax due: 1 March 1986
Vehicle make AUSTIN
Date of first registration January 1966
Year of manufacture 1966
Cylinder capacity 848 cc
Export marker No
Vehicle status Untaxed
Vehicle colour BLUE
Date of last V5C (logbook) issued 14 October 1980

[Exminiman]

But the recessed or not just seems to me like a case of 'waste not, want not'. Use up the existing stockpile before you start on the new.

On balance, I would go with this as well, you are only talking about 6 months aren't you ?

Too much seems right, for it to be wrong....

Maybe it was a prototype, maybe they were trying out the new recessed screen panels for a small run ? maybe ......

I am a bit suspicious of these definitive "Changeover dates" for parts, as, I am sure anyone who has worked in a large manufacturing environment is.

Even published dates in parts books are often wrong, how many times have I stood a parts counter and been told " according to the computer what you want is this" and you know its wrong.......

[mab01uk]

As someone who has also worked in large manufacturing & engineering environments for 40+ years, I also would say documented change points are rarely definitive, when a company is trying to keep a production line going and get finished products out the factory door......especially in a company like BMC/BL during an era of disruptive strikes by the workforce and also in the various component supply companies.