1972 Mini 1275 GT

Introduced in 1969, the 1,275 GT was the new sporting Mini designed to replace the Cooper 1275S. Penned by ex-Ford designer, Roy Haynes, it featured a restyled front end with a squarer nose, bumper-to-bumper grille section, and larger headlights sitting atop a revised front bumper. Not immediately popular, continued demand for the original Mk 1 Mini Cooper meant that it was nearly two years before BL could finally end Cooper S production and the two cars were built in parallel until 1971

Power was provided by the established 1,275cc engine, however, the four-speed gearbox offered closer ratios and first gear now had synchromesh. The 10-inch Rostyle alloy wheels fitted over 7.5-inch Cooper S disc brakes as standard and the GT was the first Mini to be fitted with a tachometer.

This particular Mini 1275 GT, FJU 612L, was first registered in Leicestershire on the 8th September 1972 and was lovingly cared for and used sparingly by its first owner up until 1988 when it was placed into storage for some five years. At this point the decision was taken to find the Mini a new home and it was subsequently purchased by its next owner in 1993 with the odometer reading, a believed correct, 9,064 miles with DVLA documentation to confirm.

He returned home with the Mini with the intention of giving it a light refresh and using it, however, over the years, in between raising a family and going to work, the Mini had to wait. And wait it did, safe and dry for over 20 years before its owner took retirement and thought that it was about time he started work on the Mini. Those 20 years had been reasonably kind to the car, however, the decision was taken that nothing but a total restoration to as close as possible to factory standards would do and the project commenced in 2013. The shell was treated to remove and resist all elements of corrosion, refinished to a very high standard in white with a black cap, and fitted with period-correct Group 2 arch extensions over wider Minilite-style alloy wheels. The interior was retrimmed using the correct materials supplied by Newton Commercial and the original engine was rebuilt and upgraded with twin 1¼’’ SUs, a Kent 286 Cam, and a 2’’ Maniflo exhaust.

When it was completed, the little GT was finished to a superb standard and ready to shine on the show field, however, shortly afterwards, its proud owner passed away and his widow, after a while, felt that FJU was simply too good to leave in storage and made the sad decision to sell the car that had been part of their lives for so long.

It was purchased by our vendor in late April, 2018 with the odometer reading 9,361 and added to his Private Collection where it has been cosseted alongside some fairly exotic machinery. It’s accompanied by a detailed and comprehensive history file which includes numerous invoices, various photographs and a Heritage Certificate. This 1275 GT is exceptional throughout, being as clean on the underside as it is on top, superbly detailed and ready for its next custodian. Your early inspection is welcomed and encouraged to fully appreciate the quality on offer.