Attention all Mini collectors!
Here we have for sale a 1982 Mini 1275E Convertible recently imported from South Africa.

An incredibly rare opportunity to purchase a car that is difficult to find even in the home market and very sought after as a collector's piece. Carvalette who were leaders in the sunroof and convertible top market in South Africa at the time carried out the conversions. These were not after-market but official Leyland factory approved conversions on new and unregistered models sold through the main dealer network. The finest draughtsmen and engineers from around the world experienced in this type of work were recruited. This model was only sold through the top selected Leyland Mini dealerships in South Africa. It was the highest priced Mini ever sold in that market at 35% higher than the standard Mini Clubman 1275E that this car is based on.

The roof and all pillars except the windscreen pillars were professionally removed and replaced with a foldaway canvas top with perspex rear and side windows. The front door top windows were kept and some box channelling was welded in between the floorpan and the side panel to strengthen the body without it's roof. A roll bar was fitted where the door pillars had been, just behind the front seats enhancing body strength and safety with an extra support from the middle of the roll bar to the centre of the windscreen surround. On the earlier cars such as this one the spare wheel was mounted on the left hand side of the boot with a vinyl cover. The right side of the boot had a box section for mounting the number plate and balance.

It came with pile carpets, wooden dashboard, trim and panelling, check cloth seating, wheel arch extensions, side stripes and Mistral 6 spoke alloy wheels. Mechanically the car runs the factory 1275cc engine and is equipped with a single 1. 5 inch SU carb.

The example for sale here is completely original having spent much of it's life in the Graaf Reinet Museum in the Eastern Cape from where it was purchased and has an odometer reading of just 32, 000km (20, 000 miles) which is believed to be genuine, but undocumented. Looking at the condition of the interior, the steering wheel and the control pedals it would be reasonable to assume it is correct.

It is not known exactly how many of these cars were ever manufactured over the two year period they were sold from 1982 to 1984, but estimates suggest only between 40 and 50, of which it is believed only single figure numbers remain.

UK registered, serviced and ready for fun days out in the sun when the better weather eventually arrives.

Transport arranged at competitive rates anywhere, export enquiries welcome.

- details above

Exeter, 5 mins from J30, M5