In the preceding 8 years of production, the Mini changed little. There were a few minor trim revisions and mechanical tweaks, most important of which was the 1962 introduction of baulk ring
synchromesh and two-leading shoes at the front brakes.
But all that changed in 1968 with the introduction of the Morris Mini 1000 Mk II, the new model offering better performance and higher gearing, a remote control gear-change that was stiff but positive, a smaller turning circle, lighter
brakes with better fade resistance, easier cruising at highway speeds and a mild makeover of the interior trim level.
As was the case with most cars of the era blessed with the fitment of
SU carburettors and electric fuel pumps, the Mini would start easily and warm up quickly without flat spots. NVH was addressed with the fitment of a plastic multiblade
radiator cooling fan, and extra sound-deadening material being used.
The Hydroelastic suspension negated the short pitching movement evident in the previous generation Mini's, providing a softer and more level vertical motion, although no setup known to man could remove entirely the effects of such a short wheelbase.
The ever evident understeer that increased with cornering speed would change to neutral or indeed oversteer
if you took your foot off the accelerator mid-bend. Predictable for even the mosst inexperienced driver, the predictability of the "little brick" made it a much safer car than its size portrayed.
The rack-and-pinion
steering was precise, and with the changes made to the rack the Mini now boasted a very small turning circle. Vision, always a strong point of the Mini, was upgraded by increasing the rear window 1 inch. And to help reduce servicing costs, the original 16 grease points requiring attention every 1,000 miles were replaced by only eight every 3000 miles.