9 replies to this topic

[m!n!]

Hello just a few questions i need answers for really, well i have recently bought a 1972 1275 gt and the previous owner used it for hill climbing. He removed all the front end and replaced it with a carbon fibre one for the weight loss, he blew the original engine up beyond repair whilst racing it and to be honest in side it has no signs of an early gt left at all..... interior, clocks ect ect all been removed and lost over time. My intention is to rebuild this mini and get it back to as original as i can however as the original engine is lost now and the body work looks more hassle then its worth i was wondering if i could buy a full heritage shell and buy early parts for the gt which i have most already and build the mini this way ?? What would i need to prove this is indeed the gt i had before restoration obviously the vin no and logbook but is there anything else i have missed that could indeed identify this car. I do not want to build the mini and take it to shows if some one came along and checked the car out and stated "this is not the gt you are saying it as it does not have this or that". Please Help
Cheers Col

[sonikk4]

Please don't take this the wrong way but looking at what is left of your inner wings this was a round nose shell and not a Clubman shell. The Clubman inner wings are a totally different shape.

Did you buy it as a Clubman 1275 GT shelled car??

[m!n!]

Hiya mate don't worry your info is most welcomed im not as clued up as some on minis but i had no idea about the shell, i just bought the gt off ebay as a 1972 1275 gt i really like the clubman and wanted an early gt so i bought this one. The owner told me that he removed the front for weight loss, all i was bothered about at the time was that the log stated GT and that it was tax exempt. Is this a bad thing as im planning a full resto??

[Beaniemoo]

Hey there fella, i'm far far from a 1275gt expert but I have recently started restoring a 1972 Gt I bought. As far as i know the bodyshells that heratige sell for clubmans are correct for the post 1975 clubman which has a different floorpan, roof gutters and rear seat back. Soif you were to use one of those shells you'dmost likely struggle to fool the purests.

Hope this isn't too bleaker news

[sonikk4]

A new shell will set you back £4800 but at least you will be able to swop everything over after its all been sprayed etc.

Now for a complete bodyshell paint job depending on specification you are looking somewhere between £2k to £3k + as the complete shell will need to be sealed and painted.

Then its all of the bits and pieces you need as well, engine gearbox and so on. So you could spend at least £10k easily if not more.

But at least then you can say its a proper Clubman built to GT spec.

[DAVEY_C]

car looks quite solid so i wouldn't say it would cost you near the price of a heritage shell to restore it and at least then it would be some what genuine.

[Artful Dodger]

if your shell has roof gutter drains punched into them then ins an original early shell. they're oval and not cut slots like the later ones were. also has ridge under the roof gutter that sticks out running the length of the car.

[m!n!]

Alright guys thanks ever so much for the the info sorry i have left it so late for the reply but just got back from hols. I am definently thinking of buying a heritage shell and transfering all the stuff over once sprayed and sealed, its just the engine to buy then but ill worry about that once the body is ready! Ill keep you all posted with the photos and progress

Again Thanks.

[Gazza211]

Hi
The shell you have is not a 72 GT shell for the following reasons
Inner wings are not clubman type
Roof gutters do not have the extra lip underneath
Gear lever hole is for rod change not remote type
Subframe looks to be single bolt and not twin bolt as it should be
Braking system is totally wrong for a 72, it should have metal cylinders, a remote servo and 7.5" S brakes

I would imagine your "GT" has been reshelled into a post 76 standard mini shell

Hope that helps

Gaz

[m!n!]

Hi mate yeah i know now thanks to you guys, but its gunna get a full new rebuild over the next few years so not to worry eh, cant wait to get it done..... is there any way of finding out the original colour of this car as it has had 3 colour changes in its lifetime and id like it to go back to its original colour.