Description
Kelham Hall | Newark, Nottinghamshire Viewing: Tues 22nd September 2026 from 12pm Auction: Weds 23rd September 2026 12pm Location: Kelham Hall Main Street, Newark, Nottinghamshire NG23 5QX Registration No: Un-Registered (formerly DBU 769K) Chassis No: X-AD2389638A MOT: Exempt Subject to an extensive restoration completed c. 1996, with minimal use since Finished in very period Bracken Orange with renewed Black interior upholstery Believed genuine 61, 000 miles on the odometer Part of the Ronald White Collection since 2003 when it was acquired from an H&H Auction The ‘blunt-nosed’ Mini Clubman and 1275 GT were introduced alongside the original ’round-nosed’ models in 1969. The revised snout was the work of former Ford stylist Roy Haynes. The Clubman was intended to replace the upmarket Riley Elf and Wolseley Hornet, while the initial role of the 1275 GT was to take the place of the long-running 998cc Cooper though, following the demise of the Cooper S in 1971, it ultimately became the only sporting Mini to be offered for the rest of that decade. The model was better equipped than its round-nosed siblings and offered better crash protection. The performance was also quite lively for the time, with a 0-60mph time of 12. 9 seconds and strong mid-range torque ensuring good in-gear acceleration. One of the best-looking and most correct examples of a 1275 GT we have ever had the pleasure to encounter, this 1971 model seems like a real ’70s time-warp in its wonderful Bracken Orange paint. It was supplied new through William Monk of Oldham on September 18th, 1971, and in relatively recent years has benefited from an extremely thorough restoration which included the total renovation of the bodywork, a repaint, retrimming the interior, a full engine overhaul and general mechanical renovations. It was purchased for the Ronald White Collection in 2003, at which stage it was officially logged as having been exported to Northern Ireland, hence it will require reregistering with the DVLA. It is supplied with original literature including the original service passport and owner’s handbook, and a 1275 GT manual. In its present outstanding condition, this car has the potential to be a show winner, though it will require recommissioning before it can be used on the road, but that should be a straightforward task. We doubt a better 1275 GT will appear at auction any time in the near future. About the Ronald White Collection: A lifelong enthusiast, Ronald White inherited his interest in motor cars from his father, Joshua. Joshua was still an adolescent when he took over a small bicycle repair shop and grew it into a successful family-run garage as private car ownership became more commonplace after the Great War. Father and son alike caught the collecting bug, and Joshua started the collection with a Bullnose Morris, which he displayed at the garage, and it grew from there. One of the White Collection’s gems is a delivery-mileage Morris Minor, which Joshua had the foresight to preserve from new, astutely identifying it as a landmark in the post-war Morris range. Another was the Alvis, which was sold new to a local gentleman, Nevill Bond, who lived at a stately home called The Argory. Joshua bought it back after Mr Bond had suffered an assassination attempt while driving it! The Whites also developed a personal friendship with Harry Ferguson; hence, the White Collection came to feature Ferguson tractors. By the 1950s, Joshua White Ltd. was well-established as a large BMC, Ford, and Ferguson dealership. It was around that time that Ronald—known to friends as Ronnie—started competing in tests, hill-climbs and rallies with his local motor club in Northern Ireland, always displaying the proud sponsorship of Joshua White Ltd. Upon his father’s retirement, Ronald took over the business and also set up Armagh Garages to sell Fiats. Come the 1960s, his competition career blossomed and took him all over Ireland and into England and Scotland. He was successful in many events, including the Circuit of Ireland Rally. In the late 1970s, his interest turned to rallycross, again competing in Ireland and England. It was a testament to his amiable personality that many of his employees at the garage would work through the night to prepare his cars for their sporting outings, and several continued to maintain his collection after he retired from running the garage. While his father had collected significant production cars, Ronald’s particular interest was competition cars. Naturally, many of his own race and rally cars found their way into his collection, and perhaps the most significant is ’52 LPH’, one of eight Austin-Healey Sebring Sprites prepared by John Sprinzel. Ronald bought it in November, 1962, and campaigned throughout the 1960s with his sister as navigator. He never lost his enthusiasm, and even in his twilight years, he was taking his cars to venues such as Goodwood and Beaulieu to demonstrate them and share his passion with...
