1275 GT thread

[Exminiman]

Think its Black Tulip

[66Traveller]

I agree in that photo. But if you look at the other photos in the advert it looks dark blue. So might be midnight blue ? or some a trick of the light? If it were a 1973 U.K. car it would be Teal. But not sure about export models - were they assembled in Portugal I wonder?

[Costafortune]

It's black tulip, a colour that ran until early 1973 before being replaced by a less dark purple, Aconite. Teal blue ran from mid 1971 to early 1974, replaced by Tahiti blue.

That GT was Longbridge built and looks quite superb and absolutely genuine, unlike the shite that turns up in the UK.

Most if not all LHD Minis had that style boot badge 71-75.

[66Traveller]

I agree - it is a very nice car and far better than the vast majority of U.K. offerings. If it were a U.K. car it would have an Ochre or Geranium interior (1972) or ochre (1973) - not a navy blue one.
Teal Blue ran from before August 1970 on Minis and GTs - despite not appearing on the colour chart until 1971 ( perhaps because the earlier colour chart was 1969-70).

[surfblue63]

Do all left hand drive GTs have a central mounted ignition?
Carb looks like an HIF
Later wiper motor
Stripes are nasty replicas
A-panel badge is incorrect stick on type in the wring position.
Seats are the wrong colour, but then that's all you can get from Newtons.
Are six vent sills correct for that year.

Looks to be the same standard as much of the current crop of restored to original specification cars in the UK to me.

[66Traveller]

I noticed the ignition as well - a 1969-70 feature on Longbridge built cars. Interior looks to be navy blue ( which I don’t think Newton’s do ) rather than Ochre / Geranium ( 1972 Longbridge build) or Ochre ( 1973 Longbridge build). Rev counter is also a red lined at 6500 - replaced in the U.K. long before ‘73 by the red lined at 6000 when the diff ratio changed - did they use up the old stock on export cars ( or was the diff ratio the earlier type - odd given it looks to be a rod change box ?)

[Costafortune]

You'll need to view a European market Mini colour chart to find out about the trim colour, but I had a K registration Mini Clubman in BT with dark trim. BT MGB's and Marinas could be had with black/navy trim as well.

It's possible it was built in Belgium of course. Not that it matters a toss.

[66Traveller]

That GT was Longbridge built and looks quite superb and absolutely genuine, unlike the shite that turns up in the UK.

But I thought you said it was definitely Longbridge built?

I've seen a few Portuguese registered GTs advertised. Given that Portugal was a huge export market for BMC / BL perhaps it was built in Portugal? BMC had a factory from 1963 onwards with assembly being carried out by Industria de Montagem de Automoveis Lda. (I.M.A.) near Setubal, a port 25 miles south of Lisbon. The company was a joint enterprise between B.M.C.'s two Portuguese distributors- J. J. Goncalves, Sucrs., and A. M. Almeida. Lda., in cooperation with B.M.C. The factory assembled CKD kits from the UK but added locally sourced components (which might explain specification differences?). Later cars were assembled at the SOMAVE FIAT factory in Vendas Novas.

It is also possible, given that it has been fully restored according to the ad, that either the exterior colour or the interior colour might have been changed? The lack of column ignition on a 73 car is unusual - Belgian built cars had them by this time - as is the very early type Rev counter. So maybe, just maybe, it’s not « absolutely genuine »….

[Exminiman]

That GT was Longbridge built and looks quite superb and absolutely genuine, unlike the shite that turns up in the UK.

But I thought you said it was Longbridge built…?

It is also possible, given that it has been restored according to the ad, that either the exterior colour or the interior colour might have been changed? The lack of column ignition on a 73 car (regardless of where it was built) is also unusual. As is the very early type Rev counter. So maybe, just maybe, it’s not « absolutely genuine »….

Or maybe its just had a few new parts replaced over the 49 years since it was built?

Dont you think some times we get a bit fixated on wanting cars to look exactly how they left the factory ? …rather than embracing their history?

Ie if the wiper motor broke in the 80s then you would of just replaced it with whatever was available on the shelf - not tried to match wiper motor and date that it left the factory with.

In some ways you could say that any car with all the parts and glass on it that match the manufacturing date is less genuine and correct than a car that has has a few parts replaced over the years……

Just saying…..

[66Traveller]

Fair point and one that we've discussed previously.

See my updated post above - maybe this car was assembled in Portugal which would account for the differences to a UK spec car of that date?

A fifty year old car is bound to have had lots and lots of components changed - that is normal and fine. The difficulty arises if a seller is claiming a car is "absolutely original" (a term I'd avoid personally!) - in that case it should do what it says on the tin: i.e have the correct components and parts for the year. Easier to assess with a UK built car of course (although even there there are variations and anomalies) . An export model or locally assembled car is likely to have lots of differences - which in themselves are interesting.

[Costafortune]

You'd need to count the bristles on the bootboard for a definitive answer.

[66Traveller]

You'd need to count the bristles on the bootboard for a definitive answer.

... but that is clearly a repro...!

[Costafortune]

I think my joke went straight over your head there.

[66Traveller]

All of the answers are here:

http://davidantao2.blogspot.com/p/1973- ... t.html?m=1

[Old English White]

Although he claims the colour to be Tahiti Blue. Which it definitely isn't

[surfblue63]

You'll need to view a European market Mini colour chart to find out about the trim colour, but I had a K registration Mini Clubman in BT with dark trim. BT MGB's and Marinas could be had with black/navy trim as well.

It's possible it was built in Belgium of course. Not that it matters a toss.

Just happens that there is a Seneffe colour chart on the main site. looks like the same colours were used, with same trim options to British supplied cars.

https://mk1-performance-conversions.co. ... olours.pdf

[surfblue63]

Very much looks like Midnight Blue in this shot and not Black Tulip.


My guess is that the owner chose a colour that he liked and it could be a Tahiti Blue from another manufacturer.

Port GT.jpg

[66Traveller]

I think my joke went straight over your head there.

or maybe mine in response did...

[66Traveller]

73Austin Mini 1275GT CVIH interior Hidden.JPG

Very much looks like Midnight Blue in this shot and not Black Tulip.


My guess is that the owner chose a colour that he liked and it could be a Tahiti Blue from another manufacturer.


Port GT.jpg

Interestingly on the Historic Vehicle paperwork (on the owner's website) it looks to be Teal Blue in the photo. Also states that the car was fitted with a Newton Interior so you were right!

[Costafortune]

I think my joke went straight over your head there.

or maybe mine in response did...

They say sarcasm is the lowest form of wit.

Well, it was until y......