Speeding Along Now
Posted 26 November 2015 - 10:57 AM
Hi folks just looked at a Mini for a friend ! 1978 Coach-built Clubman Contessa built by a firm in Halifax!
in need of a restoration. Anybody heard of these ? its certainly one I had not heard of or seen before,
Looks to be built on the Radford or Wood and Picket ideas would make a nice little project if done
properly.
Moved Into The Garage
Posted 26 November 2015 - 12:36 PM
Can you get some photos?.......the Contessa Mini is extremely rare and apart from this old Motor magazine cover I posted some time back I don't think anyone has actually seen one that has survived to the present day!
http://maximummini.b...over-stars.html
Speeding Along Now
Posted 26 November 2015 - 01:36 PM
Sorry I didn't take a camera , went to look at it for a friend ! he was interested in buying it with a view to
me restoring it for him , but he walked away from it ? I personally did not know much about the history of
these been away from Mini scene for 40 odd years, unfortunately some idiot has fitted over sills to it
but other than that its reasonably solid! a bit rough looking but very saveable . Ive got the ability to do
it but lack the premises .
Would also like to do right by the present owner to make sure it doesn't fall into the wrong hands!!!!!
Will try and get some photos and his permission to post them.
Camshaft & Stage Two Head
Posted 26 November 2015 - 01:45 PM
Here's a scan of a press photo that I bought from an autojumble 30 years ago! It's of a Contessa Gloria? Take a look at the rear seat 
Hope this helps a little 
Camshaft & Stage Two Head
Posted 26 November 2015 - 01:46 PM
Sorry I didn't take a camera , went to look at it for a friend ! he was interested in buying it with a view to
me restoring it for him , but he walked away from it ? I personally did not know much about the history of
these been away from Mini scene for 40 odd years, unfortunately some idiot has fitted over sills to it
but other than that its reasonably solid! a bit rough looking but very saveable . Ive got the ability to do
it but lack the premises .
Would also like to do right by the present owner to make sure it doesn't fall into the wrong hands!!!!!
Will try and get some photos and his permission to post them.
It NEEDS saving!
Speeding Along Now
Posted 27 November 2015 - 02:49 PM
Thanks for all the input folks! the latest on this is I have now purchased it.
With a view to restoring it to its former glory ,just need to finish current
project .I will attempt to put some photos up but never have much luck
with Photobucket!
Super Mini Mad
Posted 27 November 2015 - 04:37 PM
Good Luck and well done.. That should be a real investment
Moved Into The Garage
Posted 27 November 2015 - 04:44 PM
Thanks for all the input folks! the latest on this is I have now purchased it.
With a view to restoring it to its former glory ,just need to finish current
project .I will attempt to put some photos up but never have much luck
with Photobucket!
Thats great news that it is now in safe hands especially as it may be the only one of its kind to have survived!
If you have any trouble putting some photos up feel free to PM me and I will be very happy to post them for you as I'm sure will others here.
I have also started a thread (see link below) on the Mk1 Forum as there is a lot of interest and knowledge about the various coachbuilt Mini's on there which may be of help to you during restoration.
http://mk1-forum.net...php?f=5&t=14209
One Carb Or Two?
Posted 27 November 2015 - 05:13 PM
Look forward to seeing some photos
Up Into Fourth
Posted 27 November 2015 - 06:23 PM
great to hear its getting saved!!! im also looking forward to seeing the pics.
Moved Into The Garage
Posted 30 November 2015 - 08:13 PM
TMF Forum member 'Spraybeater' has asked me to post his recent photos below of the Contessa Mini Clubman 'as found' that he now owns and intends to restore back to its former glory. 
It may be the only 'Contessa Mini' conversion to have survived to the present day unless someone out there knows of any others? This version appears to be similar in some areas to the one shown on a page taken from the original brochure reproduced below (courtesy of the Mk1 Performance website) but has been completely de-seamed with a vinyl roof, similar to some Wood & Pickett Mini conversions of the same era.
Edited by mab01uk, 30 November 2015 - 08:26 PM.
Speeding Along Now
Posted 30 November 2015 - 10:18 PM
Thanks very much for putting photos up for me ! will get my old head round Photobucket one of these days
as a bit of further info on car ,I got with it all bits i.e. parts for grill, hub caps ,door trim full new set of carpets
original rear quarter windows refurbished door capping and rear quarter capping.5 10inch alloys with were
not original .
All paper work including Leyland service book, original typed build spec sheet old MOTs confirming milage
26,mls .
That plus the fact that it was built and has always been kept in the Halifax /West Yorkshire area makes it a
nice project.( Now owned by an ex Scot in West Yorkshire) will hopefully post up some photos of it and my
current project soon.
One Carb Or Two?
Posted 30 November 2015 - 11:02 PM
Looks like a good project !
Look forward to following it's progress
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