Beschreibung
Here we have a rare South African market only Leyland Mini 1275 GTS which was first sold in July 1973 through until 1980 in that country as a higher performance replacement for the earlier 1275 GT model.
So this is not just an ordinary 1275GT but a far rarer car altogether with only 4210 examples produced and a small proportion of that number still around today. It is basically a 1275 Cooper S built from new into a Clubman shell at the Blackheath factory in Cape Town.
At the time the GTS was built, local content regulations in South Africa meant the GTS model received a locally cast version of the Cooper S engine which was a major benefit to the car considering that by 1973 the Cooper S specification 1275cc unit had been phased out in other international markets.
We have imported a handful of these cars over the last ten years and this is the most structurally sound example we have owned with no welding ever necessary and all original bodywork in place. The floors and undersides are in superb factory original condition as can be seen in the photos.
Having said that the original colour was light blue as can be seen on the floors. At some point the car has been repainted in red and the quality of this job is not top level more workmanlike. It's perfectly useable and serviceable but really needs re-doing over the longer term. Personally I would take it back to the original colour of light blue. However, there is a fantastic base from which to work from with the body being in such great original condition.
Mechanically the car appears to be very good and runs on twin 1. 25 inch SUs. The odometer reads 03000 so total mileage is unknown, maybe 103k km but just speculation.
Car sits on 12 inch Minilites and Yokohama tyres but the original Rostyle wheels are supplied with the car should 100% originality be important.
There is just one other GTS known on sale in the UK at the moment and although that is a nicely restored car it is more than double the price we are asking here, so there is plenty of room to make this car to the specification of choice and still be well in pocket.
Car is supplied UK registered with V5
Viewing by appointment near Exeter, Devon.
