7 replies to this topic

[Grobster]

Morning guys,

 

There has always been the rumour that the first variant of the 1275GT minis were sometimes fitted with a 1275 Cooper 'S' engine.  How true is this mythical legend?

 

I owned a 1275GT on a 71 plate, and yes it had a Cooper 'S' engine, but I cannot confirm that it was factory fitted.  Plus I'm sure that others have seen them in 1275GT minis also, at shows etc.  But, does anyone have have 'black and white' documented proof that the engines were sometimes factory fitted from day 1 ?

 

(I am referring to UK, produced minis, so please do not confuse with the South African GTS, or the Australian GT etc)

 

I'd like to be able to confirm or dismiss the legends that have kicked around for years.  Does anyone have the proof that settles the question once and for all?

[MrBounce]

There was an "S" pack available as a dealer pack I believe, but as far as I know the GTs all had the lower-grade engine on leaving the factory. The GT & Clubman were introduced in 1969 and the Mk3 S continued until 71 so it wouldn't have made financial sense, even for BL. 

[Grobster]

There was an "S" pack available as a dealer pack I believe, but as far as I know the GTs all had the lower-grade engine on leaving the factory. The GT & Clubman were introduced in 1969 and the Mk3 S continued until 71 so it wouldn't have made financial sense, even for BL. 

 

Yep, does make absolute sense and your thoughts are pretty much the same as mine too.  I'm hoping someone chips in with some dusty old paperwork or article from the time showing what the situation was back then. 

[nicklouse]

from a topic in this forum,
 
page 3 might help

http://www.theminifo.../283811-1275gt/

[whistler]

I was a partsman when the Clubman 1275GT came out and to my knowledge and elderly memory there was nothing 'S' about the engine. 12G940 head with 9 studs. Solid tappet chests. Single carb. Dizzy with vacuum advance. The 'S' was a license with John Cooper Garages and as far as I'm aware that connection was severed at about the same time i.e. the end of the Mk3 Cooper S.

[stevegrabba]

 

Seems to be the illusive answer....  I wonder if they got a conversion plate, or anything to prove Joe blogs didn't retro-fit the kit and then claim GT'S' status afterwards?

[whistler]

 
Seems to be the illusive answer....  I wonder if they got a conversion plate, or anything to prove Joe blogs didn't retro-fit the kit and then claim GT'S' status afterwards?

The question was 'did the 1275GT ever have a Cooper S engine?' The answer is no. Your post was for a bolt on kit to take the engine up to similar spec to a Cooper S much like the Stage 1,2 or 3 kits available from Mini Spares etc.

Edited by whistler, 25 July 2017 - 05:07 PM.

[slidehammer]

I Would say they never did, as even the Mk3 Cooper S didn't have a proper Cooper S engine, it had the 1300GT engine so was down a bit on horse power and most importantly didn't have the S crank. So if there were and 'run out' true S engines they would have been used up on the Mk3 Cooper S before they would have found their way into the 1275GT. The 1275GT had the 1300 engine which was always a low tune engine only ever rated at 55bhp and single carb.