1970s Austin Mini 1275 GT Shell | Classic Mini Restoration

1970s Austin Mini
1275 GT Shell

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The Project

This 1970s Austin Mini 1275 GT Shell arrived at our Bishop Auckland workshop in August 2025 for a full respray to the bodywork and panels.

Updates

12th September 2025: Some minor fabrication and adjustment have been carried out to the left front wing, which has corrected the gapping on the bonnet fit. Currently being taken back to bare metal on the front end. This is the start of the bodywork preparation for a respray including engine bay, interior, and all panels.

1st October 2025: The doors were test fitted, but the passenger side door in particular wasn’t lining up well with the front wing as it had previously been welded out of place. This was rectified by our fabricators in preparation for paint. The front end, bonnet, doors, roof and quarter panels were all stripped of their original paint and transport primer then sanded down. The inside was also prepped up ready for primer and paint. Both n/s and o/s doors, bonnet and bootlid were then prepped and Jenolite applied before a final sand and two coats of hybrid epoxy primer. Rust was found on the sill, backpanel and rear window, so these were all repaired.

> More updates to follow.

History

The Mini 1275GT was introduced in 1969 as part of the Mini Clubman/1275GT range, with a more squared‑off nose (known as the “Clubman front”) styled by Roy Haynes.

It was intended as the sporty Mini model after the Cooper S was discontinued in the UK in 1971. From that point until around 1980, the 1275GT was the top official “sporty” Mini you could buy from BL in Britain.

Mechanical & Performance

Engine: 1275cc single carburettor A‑series engine.
Transmission: 4‑speed manual, with close‑ratio gearbox fitted.
Equipment: The 1275GT was the first Mini officially fitted with a tachometer. Initial versions had Rostyle 10‑inch wheels and front disc brakes (borrowed from the Cooper S) over 7.5‑inch discs.

Design & Features

Shared the front styling (“long nose” squared front) of the Mini Clubman models.
Early models had features like a boot board, special “GT” badging and trim. Some dropped or changed over time (e.g. boot board and certain trim parts removed in 1974).

Production & Changes

Production ran from 1969 until about 1980 when the Clubman / 1275GT line was replaced by the Austin Metro.
Over the years there were various small changes: improvements to braking, changes in tyre specification, alteration of trim and badging, changes in grille design.
Quantity: by end of production, approx. 110,673 1275GTs had been made.

Performance & Reception

0‑60 mph times were about 12.9 seconds, with lively mid‑range torque, though top speed was more modest due to the bluff front styling which affected aerodynamics.
It was seen as a good compromise: sportier than standard Minis, cheaper and easier to run than the Cooper S had been. Some enthusiasts however preferred the older Cooper models.

Legacy & Survivability

Many 1275GTs have not survived: rust, usage, and the usual issues with older Minis mean only a fraction remain on the road.
Today it’s a well‑regarded classic Mini variant, especially among UK enthusiasts. Restored examples command good prices.

Friendly, helpful, extremely knowledgeable, patient enough to explain the processes and reasons for doing things and highlighted even more how approachable the team are. They tried to accommodate our needs and requests to get our beloved old riley back on the road as soon as possible despite the ups and downs that were thrown our way and into the teams path! We could not have wished to deal with a more personable company after encountering some other teams that really made a botch of stuff, seemed uncommitted and were not professional at all. Carrosserie as a team were totally the opposite . . would we recommend them ? ABSOLUTELY !!! We would not go anywhere else now, THANK YOU TO Steve, Neil, Graham and Nicola . . Oh and Karen who spilled the beans about the the birthday surprised to my partner (whose car it is ) . but made the experience all the more special when a bottle of wine was presented as well as a treat to Simon for his birthday AND made it all the more worth dealing with the team ! THANK YOU AGAIN !!!

My car was the subject of some body and paint repairs here in Spring 2024, to address corrosion plus some substandard paintwork. An annual service was also carried out. There was good responsive communications, advice, and attention to detail throughout, to ensure a high quality, durable result, with the final paintwork being indistinguishable from factory finish, and easily better than any franchised dealership repairs. If you are invested in your classic car, want to make it last, with an exemplary finish to be proud of, then you need look no further.

I can't recommend Carrosserie highly enough, the service was exemplary from start to finish and the workmanship is second to none. I highly recommend giving the team a call for any work you need doing to your classic car, no matter what it is, you will not be disappointed!