1975' MINI 1275 Gt

Mini 1275 GT. 1st owner British Leyland from ‘75 to ‘78. Genuine 37,700 miles from new and only 2 previous owners (including BL). Rare and possibly unique factory original specification Brazilian Bronze coachwork. Re-commissioned by East Anglian Mini Centre in 2012. MOT to August 2018.

KJB 907P was first registered on 15 September 1975. I understand it was a gift for a senior staff member of BL supplier Prestcold Holdings Ltd, in whose name the car was registered. The car was serviced by Mann Egerton, as recorded in the history and the Passport to Service book lists British Leyland UK Ltd Management Plan as the first owner.

In January 1978 at 11,000 miles the car was bought for £1,500 by Mr & Mrs Rastall. The sales invoice is in the history file. Mr Rastall regularly serviced the car himself and kept a record of the tasks he completed in the original BL ‘Passport to Service’ booklet. Plenty of old MOT’s bear out the mileage to 1997 when Mr Rastall stopped using the car. His final VED disc expired in January 1998.

The re-commission in 2012 cost in excess of £4,500 and included a high class re-spray and new 1275GT graphics. I have covered 2,600 miles and have subsequently replaced various every day parts such as tyres all round to correct size, clutch, headlamps, clutch slave and master cylinders, alternator, brake cylinders, wipers, choke cable and exhaust. The MOT runs to August 2018 and vehicle excise duty is free.

KJB 907P is very original and features such exotic Mini luxuries as reclining front seats, heated rear window, working Radiomobile AM/LW radio with instructions, single speaker to the rear parcel shelf and reel inertia seat belts. The brown vinyl interior is original; the carpets have been replaced but I have the originals. The printed circuit board instrument binnacle, first used on the Clubman styled Mini, features a rev counter that presently does not work. The speedo is also optimistic in its speed readings. All other aspects operate correctly.

KJB 907P has its original engine and gearbox. The car drives superbly; the engine is run on 20/50 oil and pulls exceptionally well.

The paintwork is generally superb, though a few areas of minor corrosion can be seen on the front wings (which are the factory original wings), a common problem on Mini’s. The floor pans and doors appear to be very solid and corrosion free.

The battery has recently been replaced with a deep cycle Absorbent Glass Mat type, which are stronger and have very little acid content to avoid spillage. The original tool kit is in the boot and the original driver’s handbook is in the history file, as is a British Motor Industry Heritage Certificate.

The 1275GT was the fastest factory Mini available after 1971, having replaced the Cooper model and the S discontinued. It should not be forgotten that the 1275GT won the British Touring Car Championship back to back in 1978 and 1979.

I have a few classics and the Mini is not used as much as it should be. It I hope it will find a new home with a Mini fanatic.

Historic Information: Built 30 June 1975. Registered 15 September 1975 to British Leyland UK Ltd. CC: 1275. Power: 59bhp. Weight: 617kg. Gears: 4 forward, 1 reverse. Top Speed: 87mph. Brakes: servo assisted front discs, rear drums. 1275 GT Production: 1970 to 1980.