Pre-bids

1978 Austin Morris Mini 1275GT

Highlights

  • Comprehensive nut & bolt restoration with detailed documentation
  • Sympathetic but impressive modifications including a rebore to 1310cc
  • Guaranteed insurance valuation of £25,000
  • Road tax and MOT exempt

The Appeal

The Mini is, put simply, a candidate for one of the most globally beloved classics out there. There are a ton of factors that have influenced the car's remarkable standing. For one, it was a perfectly priced little compact that was perfect for the working class during a time of great economic prosperity. It was also a rally champion, an outright cute little car and, of course, was a perfect candidate for modification and upgrade.

With that in mind, take a look at this gleaming little bombshell of a car. This Austin Mini 1275GT, with its distinctive Clubman front, has been subject to a meticulous nut and bolt restoration that's included a whole host of upgrades and modifications - creating a diminutive and eminently drivable little car that's running better than it ever did from the factory.

Everything has been fully documented, and no stone unturned. The result is a Mini with a remarkably evocative cabin and an impressive paperwork file. We see a lot of modified Minis on Car & Classic, but very few have such an enviable, scarce, and capable spec.

Put simply, this car demands your attention - and has just about every characteristic that can turn your head, to boot.
P1010241 Nick Henstock.JPG 4.2 MB

History and Paperwork

  • Built on 13th October 1978
  • Registered on 1st November 1978 in Guildford
  • Previously subject to a nut & bolt restoration in 1993
  • The DVLA records 16 previous keepers
  • Purchased in November 2020 in good condition
  • Full restoration undertaken upon purchase
  • Engine was fully stripped and rebuilt a few hundred miles ago by a well-known mechanic
  • Every component within the engine bay was either replaced with NOS items or similar
  • Gearbox was fully stripped and rebuilt by an ex-Rover mechanic.
  • Complete with:
    • Recent invoices documenting the recent nut & bolt restoration by the owner
    • Photographic, itemised record
    • BMIHT certificate (Heritage Certificate) showing matching chassis number and record of original equipment
    • Guaranteed insurance valuation for £25,000
  • Road tax and MOT exempt
  • Currently indicates 33,172 miles on a five-figure odometer

The Condition

  • A highly evocative Austin Morris Mini 1275 GT in original black with gold 1275 GT decals
  • Body presents well, naturally restored by previous owners
  • As a qualified body repairer & paint technician, the vendor ensured the car was meticulously improved upon
  • Most of the body was taken back to bare metal, with high-standard repairs where necessary
  • Wood & Pickett arches fastened from beneath to avoid impacting the body if removed
  • Brand new steel wheels fitted with 175/50x13 Yokohama A539 tyres
  • Underside is in excellent, clean condition
  • Front & Rear subframes removed, strengthened where necessary, shot blasted and powder coated in black
  • Very evocative retro cabin with burr walnut dash
  • Small slit on the driver's seat squab of approximately two inches 
  • This is far from detracting from the cabin's appearance
  • The vendor notes a small crack on the driver's side dashboard, previously repaired
  • This, too, has little impact on the cabin
  • All instruments are clear and legible
  • Carpets, headlining and door cards in fine order 

The Mechanics

  • Engine capacity of 1,310
  • Manual transmission with 4 gears
  • Engine Rebuilt @ 32692 Miles
    • Bored to a 1310cc (180 psi compression on each cylinder)
    • Calver Special Tuning Pistons
    • Calver ST Cam Followers
    • ARP Main Bearing Nuts
    • Steel Cooper S Main Studs
    • 276 Camshaft
    • Payen BK40 Head Gasket
    • Front Mounted Radiator (Metro MK1)
    • Verto Clutch
    • Cooper S Mk3 12g940 11 Stud Fully Gas Flowed Inc Race Valves
    • Recently fully Overhauled with New Guides & Improved Seals
    • Hardened Thick-Walled Rocker Shaft
    • Roller Tipped Bronze Bushed Alloy 1.5:1 Rockers with Offset Pedestals
    • LCB Maniflow Connected to An RC40 Exhaust System
    • SU HIF44 1 – ¾  - Fully Stripped & Overalled with Upgraded BBW Needle & Jet. Fitted K&N Filter
  • The suspension and drive have also been subject to:
    • A mixture of polyurethane suspension bushes in conjunction with high-quality rubber bushes
    • The vendor notes plenty of research and advice were used to ensure firmness without ruining the car's drivability
    • Evolution suspension cones
    • Kayaba (KYB) shock absorbers
    • Hi-Lo Suspension overhauled
    • AP Calipers overhauled and fitted with SS pistons and new seals
    • Brembo discs and pads
    • Inner & outer quality CVs
    • Radius arms overalled with new pins and bearings
    • Moog components
    • Timken wheel bearings
  • The engine bay is in excellent order, very clean and nicely presented
  • We've no reports of any mechanical issues throughout the car
  • We understand the car to be ready and waiting to drive away
This sale is subject to the Car & Classic Terms and Conditions. By bidding and/or making an offer, you also agree to the following: 
The seller is registered as a private seller which means consumer rights stemming from EU consumer protection law do not come into effect. However, you are still covered by Car & Classic’s own Terms and Conditions.. 
We request that a non-refundable fee  be paid if you are the lucky winning bidder at auction or if your offer is accepted Please refer to our helpful FAQs and T&Cs for specific rates. 
This vehicle is “Sold As Seen”, on an “As Is Where Is’ basis and without warranty. Photos and descriptions are solely for guidance purposes and it's customary to carry out a full inspection of the vehicle prior to purchase for your own peace of mind. 
✓ VAT is included in the buyer's fee. VAT may or may not be included in the final bid or offer price, as specified in the listing. 
We want a smooth transaction just as much as you do and as such we run all UK-registered cars and motorbikes for sale on Car & Classic through an online HPI check to verify that they show no insurance database markers for damage or theft, and have no finance owing, allowing you to bid with confidence. 
✓ We also check whether vehicles are recorded as being written off as part of an insurance total loss claim at the time an advert is placed on Car & Classic and we helpfully provide write-off category labels (Cat C/D/S/N) for your assistance. However, the presence or absence of a label does not guarantee the vehicle’s status and it is always worthwhile carrying out your own  full vehicle history check before making an offer on a vehicle. 
✓ Buyers are responsible for vehicle collection 
or delivery. Importing vehicles may result in additional customs duties and import taxes so it’s worth checking beforehand.. 

Pre-bids

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Auction Details

  • Year1978
  • MakeAustin
  • ModelMini
  • ColourBlack
  • Odometer33,172 Miles
  • Engine size1310cc
  • Seller TypePrivate
  • TownDoncaster
  • CountyYorkshire
  • CountryUnited Kingdom
  • Auction ends

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