1977 Mini 1275 GTS

The Leyland Mini 1275 GTS was first introduced in July 1973 and produced until 1980 exclusively for the South African market. It was developed in that market as a higher performance successor to the iconic 1275GT model. Government local content regulations meant Leyland allowed an engine designed on the Cooper 1275 'S' unit to be built and fitted exclusively to the GTS model assembled in the Blackheath Cape Town factory. This was a significant move as this engine had been phased out in other international markets by 1973.

Just 4,210 were produced over the period and it is quite a rare car these days even in the home market of South Africa. 

This example was imported directly from it's previous owner, a pilot in Johannesburg and is in excellent structural condition with all original panels, floors, sills and factory welds still in place. It appears never to have been welded seeing the benefit of living in a dry hot inland climate with little rain and no salt use on the roads.

We have imported a number of these GTS models over the years and this one holds its own amongst all of those as a really nice driving car. As is often the case with South African imports, little is known about previous owners or history. The 5 figure odometer reads 01000km so make your own guess.

The engine is the original 12HGTS 1275cc matching number unit and it performs really well on the road with a good turn of speed.

The interior has had a bespoke re-trim in leather to a high standard.

The paint was blown over many years ago and whilst not perfection, is a driver standard 7/10 with a few blemishes here and there, useable but down the line would benefit from being re-worked.

12 inch Minilite wheels are fitted with good tyres all round.