The production version of the Mini was demonstrated to the press in April 1959, and by August, several thousand cars had been produced ready for the first sales. The Mini was officially announced to the public on 26 August 1959. Some 2,000 cars had already been sent abroad and were displayed that day in almost 100 countries.

The Mini was marketed under BMC's two main brand names, Austin and Morris, until 1969 when it became a marque in its own right. The Morris version was marketed as Morris Mini-Minor, referencing the contemporary Morris Minor. The almost identical Austin version was sold as the Austin Seven (sometimes written as SE7EN in early publicity material, which recalled the popular small Austin 7 of the 1920s and 1930s.

The Mini entered into popular culture in the 1960s with well-publicised purchases by film and music stars and significant success in rallying and racing. Its unique layout with a wheel at each corner, transverse engine, front wheel drive and stiff suspension meant it was a ready made track car at budget road car prices.

This Mark 1 version was in production up to 1967 when the more refined Mark 2 was launched.