15 replies to this topic

[Pops_Guild]

Hello there,

 

This isn't a post to try and find and buy-back an old Mini of mine, I just would like to see what it looks like now!

 

I've posted this on some of the main classic Mini Facebook groups but maybe someone on TMF owns it or knows of someone who does?

 

This is my old unique looking 1275GT and after reading another 1275GT thread on here earlier on this week, I looked up what the status of the Mini was. It's been on a SORN for years but it looks like the pandemic has potentially helped someone get it moving, it's back on the road, MOT'd and now painted white!

 

 

 

That's all brilliant in my book, it was a nice looking modified Mini, so I'm very pleased it has survived and being looked after!

 

I'm wondering if anyone on here has seen it around or maybe know who owns it?

 

I have a few snaps from the early 90's and some info (from memory) about its history from when I owned it. The current owner might interested in that info, though they may still have the pack of info that I passed on to the chap who bought off me.

 

Maybe they've returned it to the original GT look? Who knows!?!

Would love to see it again! If nothing else it might spark a bit of discussion and banter on here

 

Feel free to contact me.

Pops

 

Attached Files

•  Photo06_1.jpg   79.64K   8 downloads
•  Photo27_3.jpg   68.03K   3 downloads
•  Photo28_4.jpg   63.97K   5 downloads
•  Photo29_17.jpg   84.78K   7 downloads

[Chris1275gt]

Was it a genuine 1275gt or a clubman? I love a de-seemed mini. Did you give it the Margrave type look.

[imack]

Are they mk1 capri headlamps?

[Pops_Guild]

Was it a genuine 1275gt or a clubman? I love a de-seemed mini. Did you give it the Margrave type look.

 

It was a genuine 1275GT, it was on the logbook and still is by the look of it. 

 

Me too, when its done well they look great. I didn't do the work. Was commissioned by the first owner, it's coachbuilt.

[MikeRotherham]

In the first image is that a Triumph Acclaim behind the mini?

[Pops_Guild]

In the first image is that a Triumph Acclaim behind the mini?

 Yes it is, that was mine too :) ...I'm baffled as to why does the Acclaim gets asked about so much? Every post someone comments...it was dreadful car in every way!

[Pops_Guild]

Are they mk1 capri headlamps?

Yes they are Mk1 Capri headlamps.

[spraybeater]

 

Was it a genuine 1275gt or a clubman? I love a de-seemed mini. Did you give it the Margrave type look.

 

It was a genuine 1275GT, it was on the logbook and still is by the look of it. 

 

Me too, when its done well they look great. I didn't do the work. Was commissioned by the first owner, it's coachbuilt.

 

I saw your F/B post on this early on today! noticed you said its a Coachbuilt clubman,

since you have some of the history do you know which Coachbuilder.

 

I am interested as it shows some features that are familiar! as the owner of a rare Coachbuilt Clubman

hope you don't mind me asking.

[Pops_Guild]

 

 

Was it a genuine 1275gt or a clubman? I love a de-seemed mini. Did you give it the Margrave type look.

 

It was a genuine 1275GT, it was on the logbook and still is by the look of it. 

 

Me too, when its done well they look great. I didn't do the work. Was commissioned by the first owner, it's coachbuilt.

 

I saw your F/B post on this early on today! noticed you said its a Coachbuilt clubman,

since you have some of the history do you know which Coachbuilder.

 

I am interested as it shows some features that are familiar! as the owner of a rare Coachbuilt Clubman

hope you don't mind me asking.

 

 

Hello, the only reason I say it was coachbuilt was because back then I managed to have a few phone calls with the 2nd owner of the Mini. She was adamant that it was built as a special commission at Mulliner Park Ward and that is why it's called MINICHE. I tried to confirm this at the time but MPW was no longer in existence by then so hit a dead end. It's original colour wasnt red, it was painted a Rolls Royce Gold/Bronze apparently, the 3rd owner resprayed it to red (which I like still) and changed a lot of the special parts. I spoke to them too and they had stripped it back to its bear metal for the red spray and said that the deseaming was very well done, including lead filled. From what the 2nd owner described it used to have electric windows, cream sheepskin carpets, and additional RR indicator and side lights (where the horrible driving lights are). They had also removed the Cooper S engine, probably because even in the 90's they were gaining ££ in value, it had a gold top MG Metro one when I owned it.

 

I had it and kept it going for a few years but could afford to keep it, even when I had it, it needed TLC. 

 

Sorry I cant be of more help, the Mini Cooper Register has a specialist coachbuilt register, predominantly for Coopers but they may be able to help you.

[Chris1275gt]

It's a shame it was canabalised and some of the features from the customising were removed. It's still a nice looking car. I was disappointed when trying to find info On my W&P 1275gt as W&P managed to lose all there ledgers in the mid eighties.

[Pops_Guild]

It's a shame it was canabalised and some of the features from the customising were removed. It's still a nice looking car. I was disappointed when trying to find info On my W&P 1275gt as W&P managed to lose all there ledgers in the mid eighties.

 

Well yes but to be fair back in the 80's and 90's Minis were are very common thing so their value and future was just as 'a small, fun car'. Its all reversible if photo reference could be found for it but that's unlikely I think. I'm still pleased it's not been scrapped!

 

Regarding W&P I seem to recall them mentioning lack of records for their builds when I spoke to them. Seems unbelievable really but again, value on stuff was different. You spoken to the Coachbuilt or 1275GT registers at the Mini Cooper Register?

[Chris1275gt]

No not yet. I worked out that it is by W&P from the cars timeline and what's been done to it. I've also got written history of all the info from the dvla before data protection stopped that being available and a couple of bodywork people who instantly recognised the work on it and the large webasto was fitted round the corner from them in Park Royal.
I agree that minis were common in the 80s and 90s but a coach built mini with a luxury interior wasn't, I just think whoever started changing it had no idea what they had. The cost of the upgrades would of probably exceeded the purchase price of the car. As you say it still lives on which is the main thing!

[spraybeater]

Its a same that there is not more info on the car ! I am quite lucky as I have an original build sheet for

mine, when I first looked at it and posted on here a very helpful regular poster on here was the first to

get in touch,

Thankfully although a rare car, the coach builders ( Oyler of Halifax Westyorkshire) were known to most

of the Mini experts it has since I finished restoring it been featured in in much off the Classic/Mini press

inc MCR Cooperworld, also a thread on here Coachbuilt Oyler Contessa.

Best of luck with your search.

[MikeRotherham]

 

In the first image is that a Triumph Acclaim behind the mini?

 Yes it is, that was mine too :) ...I'm baffled as to why does the Acclaim gets asked about so much? Every post someone comments...it was dreadful car in every way!

 

Don't know if yours was a bad example but I'd heard that it was considered to be a very good car. Don't know if that was because it was a rebadged Honda with a few tweaks for the British market.

[Pops_Guild]

 

 

In the first image is that a Triumph Acclaim behind the mini?

 Yes it is, that was mine too :) ...I'm baffled as to why does the Acclaim gets asked about so much? Every post someone comments...it was dreadful car in every way!

 

Don't know if yours was a bad example but I'd heard that it was considered to be a very good car. Don't know if that was because it was a rebadged Honda with a few tweaks for the British market.

 

 

I guess it's all relative. Back in the day I'm sure it was good. By the time I owned it, it was creaking. The auto engine was quite interesting as it had some variable "belt" system (can't remember the name) which meant it just pulled through the revs and power bands. You could also use the selector to kick-down in noticeable way. But it wasn't a Mini :)