Many would think that once a car is in production you have the initial popularity whereby it would be the talk of press and customers for a while with this tailing off, after a few years in production. However, with the 1100/1300 range they were the top selling cars between 1963 and 1971. However, in 1967 the 1100 was the 2nd best seller with the Ford Cortina outselling the 1100 by approximately 25,000 vehicles.

The period of time that we'll be taking a closer look at will be 1965 - 1970. There were some important changes to the range.

1965 Sales figures

By the end of 1965 the 1100 production was in full swing, with all marques being produced. Perhaps the introduction of all marques increased sales?

BMC had sold 40,694 more 1100's than Ford had of the Cortina.

1966 Sales figures

In 1966 BMC had sold 5,733 less 1100's than the previous year. Ford on the other hand had sold 10,052 more Cortina's than the previous year. The Mini's sales figures were also down by 12,853 compared to 1965.

BMC had sold 24,909 more 1100's than Ford had of the Cortina.

1967 Sales figures

By June, BMC had already sold 1,233,571 1100's. 38.1% of which had been exported. 59,704 1300's had been sold, of which 56.2% had been exported. This made the waiting lists for 1300's even longer.

1967 was a year of change for the 1100 range. In June some models were fitted with an optional 1275cc engine, and in October Mk1 vehicles were replaced with the new Mk2 styled cars. Fitted with either 1098cc engines or 1275cc. Perhaps the decrease in sales had something to do with tooling up the factories ready for full production in 1968.

Considering the above the 1100/1300 was knocked off the top spot by the Ford Cortina. The Cortina had managed to sell 38,263 more vehicles than the previous year. However, the 1100/1300 had had sold 20,564 less vehicles than 1967. The Vauxhall Viva climbed up to number three by selling 40,489 more vehicles than the previous year.

1968 Sales figures

By 1968 production was underway with the new Mk2 models, sales increased by 19,764. For the first time since 1965 the Ford Cortina's sales slumped by 27,427. The Viva was still at number three had sales had increased by a mere 847 vehicles.

BMC had sold 13,273 more 1100/1300's than Ford had of the Cortina.

1969 Sales figures

1969 saw a few model changes. The Riley Kestrel was withdrawn from production, and automatic transmission was no longer available on MG 1300s.

By 1969 sales of the 1100 had dropped by 17,691 vehicles. Ford's sales of the Cortina had also slumped by 21,688. The Ford Escort had worked its way up to number three, however, Ford had sold 13,062 less Escorts than in 1968.

BMC had sold 17,270 more 1100/1300's than Ford had of the Cortina.

1970 Sales figures

By 1970 the vast Japanese imports were starting to take more of a hold on the UK car market. The 1100/1300 sold 490 less vehicles than in 1969. The Ford Cortina sold 6,840 more vehicles than the previous year. The Ford Escort sold 10,626 more vehicles.

BMC had sold 9,940 more of the 1100/1300's than Ford had of the Cortina.