David's Classic Minis: 1973 Austin Mini 1275 GT

This was the first car that I bought (1993). I'm just the 3th owner but I knew the 2nd owner as we were neighbors. It was also the first Mini for which a full restoration work was done by my good friend Mr. Ruy Sampaio (1996-1997). In 2011 it was fully dismantled again to be resprayed and make some engine performance improvements. After build up she looked just great again. Well done and thank you Mr. Sampaio!

Since 2018 this car is certified as a vehicle of historical interest by ACP Clássicos club, which is a member of FIVA (Fédération Internationale des Véhicules Anciens).

A brief description of this car features are as follows:

Body

Fully restored in 1996, resprayed in 2011 finished in Tahiti Blue.

Engine

1275GT original block bored to .060 (1330cc) and crank (balanced with flywheel and backplate), Minisport CA2 camshaft kit with Vernier adjustable timing, Minisport Stage 2 head, double valve springs, LUCAS 45 D distributor with Powerspark electronic ignition kit K4, Minispares performance 2 core radiator, SU HIF44 (1.75”) carburetor with Facet electronic fuel pump (solid state - fast road), Metro inlet manifold, Maniflow ST Freeflow (3 branch) exhaust manifold and RC40 silencer.

Transmission

Minisport lightened flywheel and backplate with new clutch and diaphragm, original 1275GT gearbox (Cooper S), 3.44:1 differential.

Suspension

Standard rubber cones with Koni dampers, heavy duty adjustable tie rods at front.

Brakes

Standard Cooper S 7.5 inch discs and calipers at front, drums at rear.

Wheels and tyres

Original 1275GT Rostyle 10” wheels with (new) YOKOHAMA A008 165/70/10 tyres.

Interior

Navy Blue carpets and seat covers (new) from Newton Commercial (British Motor Heritage approved).

Along the years I collect and kept some important stuff as follows:

Invoices

Original user's manual

I used this car to make long journeys going to international Mini events, namely at England to attend to Mini "birthday" events. Me and my brother Miguel Antão went to England for the first time in 1999, a 36 hours drive from Lisbon to Silverstone for the Mini@40 event. Since then we attended several International Mini Meeting (IMM) - 2004, 2014 and 2019 - among other international and national events.

1999, MINI40, Silverstone, UK

(Picture of the web page we did to celebrate the Mini@40 journey)

(Picture of the "AutoHoje" magazine article I wrote about the Mini@40 journey)

2004, International Mini Meeting (IMM2004), Norwich, UK

(Picture of the "Topos & Clássico" magazine article about our journey)

2006, Mini Club Granada 10th anniversary, Sierra Nevada, Spain

2011, body respray and minor restoration

Due to the intensive use since the Mini was bought (for many years this was my only Mini), we decided to repaint the bodyshell in 2011 and make some mechanical refurbishment.

So, by then it was replaced namely the clutch (Minisport lightened flywheel), brakes, fuel pipes/fuel pump, radiator (Minispares performance 2 core) and improved engine performance with Minisport stage 2 head and CA2 camshaft, SU HIF 44 carburetor, Metro inlet manifold, Maniflow ST Freeflow (3 branch) exhaust manifold and RC40 silencer.

Most of the interior was kept original while new carpets and seat covers were acquired from Newton Commercial, which is British Motor Heritage approved (in the next picture one can see the old seat covers at the rear).