Highlights
- Well presented car in factory correct red and black colour scheme
- Comprehensive restoration in 2021 with over £10,000 spent in parts
- 2-inch SU carburettors and 6-branch stainless steel exhaust
- Original US rally heritage with fittings for roll-bar still present
- Recently completed 1,000+ mile journey from UK to France without issue
- Controle Technique renewed August 2025
- Option of UK or French registration with FFVE certificate
The Appeal
If proof were needed that a well-sorted classic, even one that’s 65 years old, can be properly used and run, it is this car. The vendor recently drove it 1,000 miles from the UK to the South of France in the middle of summer, with no issues.
That drive followed a comprehensive restoration that was begun in 2021 and included over £10,000 spent on parts alone. The work included stripping and rebuilding the engine and mechanicals and adding some choice performance enhancements like 2in SU carburettors and a six branch stainless steel exhaust. The interior was also retrimmed and new carpets installed. We’ve detailed everything below.
Those improvements fit what the vendor knows of the car’s history. He tells us that it was sold new to Fort Worth in Texas and appears to have been rallied during its time in the USA.
Finished in its correct factory combination of red paintwork with black interior and sitting on black wires, this is a very tidy-looking MkI BT7. French import duties have been paid, registered it with the FFVE and refreshed the Controle Technique in August 2025. It can be returned to the UK where currently registered
The car sports the classic de-bumpered look but is supplied with the bumpers and auxiliary lights to return it to factory standard if required.
The vendor says:
“In June the car was driven from Cheltenham to South West France to complete the run in and engine and gearbox oil replaced. It has been totally reliable and starts on the button and is very quick.
“The car is in the process of being French registered with a historic registration document, import duties have been paid, FFVE certificate obtained, and it passed its controle technique in August 2025. It will therefore be sold with the buyer’s choice of either a UK or French registration document.”
History and Paperwork
- Manufactured in April 1960 and originally exported to Fort Worth, Texas
- Vendor reports evidence of rally history in the US with roll-bar fittings still present
- Imported to France in 2009, then to the UK in November 2020
- Current owner purchased the car in April and completed the restoration
- Comprehensive restoration undertaken in 2021 with receipts for over £10,000 in parts
- Supplied with BMIHT Heritage certificate
- Various photos showing restoration and engine rebuild
- Extensive invoices from AH Spares from 2024 and later as shown
- Contrôle Technique passed in August 2025
- In process of obtaining French historic registration
- Import duties have been paid
- Will be sold with buyer's choice of either UK or French registration document
- Chrome front and rear bumpers and auxiliary lights included as shown
- Carries FFVE certification
- Driven from Cheltenham, UK to South of France in June 2025 with no issues
Work advised by seller:
Engine rebuild:
- Big end bearings
- Piston rings
- Valve springs
- Competition timing chain
- Head gasket and all other gaskets
- Spin-off oil filter conversion
- High torque starter fitted
- Clutch overhauled
Other work:
- New radiator and fan
- 2 inch SU carburettors and manifold
- Hand made 6 branch stainless steel exhaust system
- All pipework, water, fuel and hydraulic replaced
- New clutch and brake master cylinders
- Servo fitted to ensure car stops as well as it goes
- All cables replaced
- New wiring harness fitted
- Car converted to negative earth with an alternator setup and a battery isolator switch
- Track rod ends and all bushes replaced, with poly bushes
- New seals fitted all round, doors, boot, bonnet etc
- Completely reupholstered
- New carpets
- New Rally overriders fitted
- Chassis fully internally rust proofed
- New windscreen
- Hood and frame replaced
- Lap belts fitted
- Gauges repaired and calibrated - even the lighter works
- Overdrive adjusted
- New fuel tank
- 70 spoke black wheels
- High power starter motor
The Condition
- Retains a correct factory red paint colour with black interior
- Paintwork described as fair quality which can be checked in photo
- Vendor reports some micro blistering and a few cracks in places
- De-bumpered look but with bumpers and auxiliary light included
- Underside in good order with recent treatment to chassis as above
- Completely reupholstered interior in black with new carpets
- New seals fitted all round including doors, boot, and bonnet
- New windscreen fitted and hood and frame renewed
- Lap belts installed for safety
- All gauges repaired and calibrated
- Sits on 15-inch 70-spoke black wheels in very good condition
- Chassis fully internally rust-proofed
- New rally overriders fitted
The Mechanics
- 2,912cc BMC C-Series straight six engine
- Manual transmission with overdrive
- Engine completely rebuilt as detailed above
- Extensive array of new parts fitted totalling over £10,000 as above
- Recently completed run-in period with engine and gearbox oil replaced
- The vendor states the car starts reliably and performs very well
This sale is subject to the Car & Classic Terms and Conditions. By bidding and/or making an offer, you also agree to the following:
✓ The seller is registered as a private seller which means consumer rights stemming from EU consumer protection law do not come into effect. However, you are still covered by Car & Classic’s own Terms and Conditions..
✓ We request that a non-refundable fee be paid if you are the lucky winning bidder at auction or if your offer is accepted Please refer to our helpful FAQs and T&Cs for specific rates.
✓ This vehicle is “Sold As Seen”, on an “As Is Where Is’ basis and without warranty. Photos and descriptions are solely for guidance purposes and it's customary to carry out a full inspection of the vehicle prior to purchase for your own peace of mind.
✓ VAT is included in the buyer's fee. VAT may or may not be included in the final bid or offer price, as specified in the listing.
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or delivery. Importing vehicles may result in additional customs duties and import taxes so it's worth checking beforehand. It is the bidders responsibility to confirm import eligibility prior to purchase.
