Description
For sale is a 1978 Austin Morris Mini 1275 GT in the original supplying Black with Gold 1275 GT decals.
The GT has a BMIHT certificate (Heritage Certificate) showing matching chassis number and a record of original equipment.
Guaranteed Insurance valuation for 25K
The build date was the 13th October 1978 & registered on the 1st November 1978 in Guildford.
When the GT was purchased in November 2020 it was in fantastic condition, but like many classics, there’s room for improvement. So, I decided to conduct a full nut & bolt restoration.
As a fully qualified body repairer & paint technician, I ensured the car was meticulously improved upon with many many man hours. Unlike many classics out there (unfortunately), no corners were cut… this car was for me and I wanted it right! Using the finest materials and painted using 2k products.
Being honest, the body was in fantastic condition… naturally restored by previous owners (the last owner owned the car for 15 years), the history file clearly shows the car was loved.
Most of the body was taken back to bare metal, but all known areas that suffer were either in great condition or had been repaired to a very high standard.
I removed the engine (which is the original block and gearbox), fully inspected, refreshed where necessary. The engine was fully stripped and rebuilt approximately a few hundred miles ago by a well-known mechanic in the industry (who unfortunately has since passed away).
Every component within the engine bay was either replaced with NOS items or similar, even down to the wiper motor being fully stripped & overalled.
Likewise, the gearbox was fully stripped and rebuilt by an ex Rover mechanic.
Engine upgrades:
• 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 Overalled 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.
Suspension & Final Drive
• Front & Rear subframes removed, strengthened where necessary, shot blasted and powder coated in black.
• A mixture of polyurethane suspension bushes in conjunction with high quality rubber bushes were used – plenty of research and advice were used to ensure firmness but not too firm to impede the cars drivability and more importantly possible damage to the suspension by a too stiffer setup.
• Evolution suspension cones.
• Kayaba (KYB) shock absorbers.
• Hi-Lo Suspension overalled.
• AP Calipers overalled and fitted with SS pistons and new seals.
• Brembo discs and pads.
• Inner & outer quality CV’s.
• Radius arms overalled with new pins and bearings.
• Moog components.
• Timken wheel bearings.
• Brand new steel wheels fitted with 175/ 50x13 Yokohama A539 tyres.
The above is just a small amount of replacement quality parts, many other components can be viewed within the cars document file.
I’ve tried to retain as much of the GT’s originality but with a slight twist to my personal taste. Not much would be required to adjust to make as per factory spec. for example, the Wood & Pickett arches are fastened from beneath as not to impact the body should they be removed.
Beneath the engine bay looks lovely, the main visual improvement being the cooling system arrangement.
Video to follow.
I have plenty more high quality photos...
Thank you for reading my advert, feel free to give me a call to discuss further.
