1275 GT thread

[Peter Laidler]

Ahj, yes........, that bimetal flap valve thinggy. One of its spectacular failings was that when the engine did get hot, it softened the glue that barely cemented the round self-stick - or self NON stick - foam rubber seal thinggy to each side of the flap valve. Shortly afterwards both bits of now non-stick foam stuff would disappear down the tube and block up the intake or would just get clogged up against the air filter, restricting it.

As for whether it really worked, I'd say this. While I had an MGB GT V8, fitted with 2 flap valves - 4 bits of foamy rubber don't forget. Anyway using the university labs and services of the lab tech (with a Midget) over the course of 5 cold winter days, we set about testing whether these flap thinggies did actually speed up the warming of the car from the ambeient temp of the day (all pretty much the same) to the exact moment that the twin cooling fans clicked in.

While it's not exactly a scientific test, it showed that the flap valve thingghies did bugger all and made no difference! From that moment I took them off and simply..... Anyway that's my not exactly scientific but pretty conclusive testing done as a twin flap valved MGB GT V8 owner.

[LuisM]

Continuing with the air box saga…….On page one of this thread there is an article from Popular motoring February 1972.
They give you the impression that they have tested “The latest 1972 GT version “ To me it looks like a 71 GT ? But you can clearly see it has a plastic box with metal intake! Transitional period?

My car was registered august 71 ( chassis on the 321000 range ) and it has a plastic air casing with metal intake , the casing has the “Coopers” engraved lid . I believe to be original .

Cheers

[66Traveller]

It been too long since there has been a post on this thread - I need an early 1275GT fix...!

[mab01uk]

Mini 1275 GT 1969 - British Leyland - Brochure:-
http://www.minipassionmini.50megs.com/p ... 201969.pdf

Mini 1275 GT 1969 - British Leyland - Switzerland Brochure:-
http://www.minipassionmini.50megs.com/p ... 9%20CH.pdf

Mini Range Brochures:-
http://www.minipassionmini.50megs.com/p ... chures.htm

[360gts]

Looking at a couple of the above pictures...I see there is a label of sorts on the air cleaner box.
Does anyone know what label was on the early steel air box......

[Peter Laidler]

I think it looks like the oblong COOPERS air filter label. COOPERS air filters were the first choice of filters for UNIPART. The reason being was that they were the best at what they did. Airflow and filtration

[360gts]

I think it looks like the oblong COOPERS air filter label. COOPERS air filters were the first choice of filters for UNIPART. The reason being was that they were the best at what they did. Airflow and filtration

Hi Peter,, yes, does look a bit like the MK1 Cooper decal that was on that air box.
However, would it still have been used in 70ish?
I have a MK3 S air box with the unipart decal...be nice to know as I am just restoring my steel airbox.
Interesting that this yellow GT doesn't have a water shield installed!!!!
Cheers
D

[Ronnie]

I think it looks like the oblong COOPERS air filter label. COOPERS air filters were the first choice of filters for UNIPART. The reason being was that they were the best at what they did. Airflow and filtration

Hi Peter,, yes, does look a bit like the MK1 Cooper decal that was on that air box.
However, would it still have been used in 70ish?
I have a MK3 S air box with the unipart decal...be nice to know as I am just restoring my steel airbox.
Interesting that this yellow GT doesn't have a water shield installed!!!!
Cheers
D

August 1971 S on a K plenum decal is a coopers

[66Traveller]

Its also interesting that it doesn't have a body number on the slam panel - pre-production

Plus early bonnet hinges (deleted very early 1970) and the sound proofing mat under the bonnet.

[Peter Laidler]

Further to this filter box thread. Filters marketed by UNIPART were marked Unipart but were in fact made by COOPERS

[GrayB]

D5E149E9-B518-43B5-B3F2-AC303685A362.jpeg

[GrayB]

My “current “ Air box hope you can see the sticker ( not very good at this resizing business)

[surfblue63]

Its also interesting that it doesn't have a body number on the slam panel - pre-production

Plus early bonnet hinges (deleted very early 1970) and the sound proofing mat under the bonnet.

Looks like there is a body number outline on the slam panel. Also this is not a very good representation of a production 1275GT. It looks like they had some silver paint in the workshop when this was put together as it is everywhere, on the engine, the rad, the servo, the air filter box, the wiper motor and even the fuse box. Also note the chrome air filter lid and servo bracket.

69 motor show GT.jpg

The original footage can be found of Youtube. The film also includes a brief shot of a Unipower.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YUlIHywkJKI&t=29s

[Colin a]

Hi all I wonder if you can advise me please, is the washer bottle correct fo a early 1970 gt, if so I have one but should I put it back as it should be or should I leave it as it’s been since it was modified by the supplying dealer or the first owner, also is there anything I can do with the original sound deadening panel stuck to the underside of the bonnet( which I still have) but it is a bit crumbled, I would like to keep the original if I can, thanks.

[surfblue63]

That type of washer bottle was used on the GT until commission number S20D 5429A. From number 5430A the slip-on type bottle was used.

2022-03-23_162421.jpg

[mab01uk]

Its also interesting that it doesn't have a body number on the slam panel - pre-production

Plus early bonnet hinges (deleted very early 1970) and the sound proofing mat under the bonnet.

Also this is not a very good representation of a production 1275GT. It looks like they had some silver paint in the workshop when this was put together as it is everywhere, on the engine, the rad, the servo, the air filter box, the wiper motor and even the fuse box. Also note the chrome air filter lid and servo bracket.

I remember going to the Earls Court Motor Shows in the 1960/70's and the BMC/BL show cars with open bonnets often had their engines and components specially painted in what seemed like a Hammerite type of metallic pale green paint finish, rather than the standard BMC green or BL black (if you look carefully at the screenshot it is not plain silver). Other parts were also often chromed and highlighted with under bonnet lighting. There were also cutaway engines often on the stands like this example in link below for the MG 1100.
MG 1100 cutaway engine:-
viewtopic.php?f=28&t=33431

Back in the day many ordinary motorists were interested in what was under the bonnet....unlike today when few are interested or there is only some black plastic moulded covers to see.

[Peter Laidler]

Mab is right about the show cars and from the MORRIS show type number plate and the underbonnet, it looks like a show car.

I recall seeing an MGB GT and an MGB GT V8 show cars that were returned to Abingdon. The underbonnets were glittering with chrome brackets and lavish gleaming paint. I specially remember the chromed pedal cover. Especially the maroon V8 - and very nice it was too! In fact I managed to acquire the two Leyloand logo -MGB GT V8 number plates that I had for ages.....

[Old English White]

The engine colour looks similar to the light metallic shade used on some MGs. Late i960s Midgets and MGCs come to mind. As others have said Earls Court cars were hand finished to a rather higher standard than the norm.

[surfblue63]

Brochure from Mid 1975 shows the GT changes were not done all at once. This shows a 12" wheel car with many early features.

Document_2022-03-24_104816.jpg

Document_2022-03-24_104901.jpg

[surfblue63]

Good video from HRE featuring an early 1275GT

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_JxxfpiUL7o


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