1975 Austin Mini 1275GT: Classic Quick Drive

Let's get a little bit more nostalgic this time around. Sometime back in April I wrote about the Ferrari Testarossa, but this time I want to go slightly further back to the era of the swinging 70s.

In 1969, British Leyland owned the Mini brand and they wanted to facelift the classic 'round front' Mini. This was launched and called the Mini Clubman. The subsequent Austin Mini 1275GT (1275 is basically the engine size in cubic centimetres) was the Mini Clubman's fastest variant and the one that British Leyland replaced with the classic Mini Cooper S as the fastest Mini you could buy in the mid to late '70s.

The Mini Clubman was not really slated to replace the original (since 1959) Mini round front but more of a replacement for the pricier and slightly upmarket Riley/Wolseley versions of the Mini. It was basically the same chassis with a restyled front end. It actually used the same indicator and side lights from the larger Austin Maxi and had a very blunt looking front end. It did look more modern in the 1970s, but somehow, not very loved by collectors of today. I suppose the cute rounded front end of the original is the classic Mini and even to this day, the BMW Mini takes after the classic round front Mini.

So anyway, according to some automotive historians, the Mini 1275GT was a separate, distinct model from the Clubman even though it shared the same frontal treatment as the Mini Clubman, and was launched at the same time. It is because of this that everyone calls it the Mini Clubman 1275GT even though it is actually the Mini 1275GT.

Whatever the case the 1275GT was the fastest Mini you could buy in the 1970s. By 1972 British Leyland had stopped producing the round front 1275cc Cooper S. The 1275cc A series 4 cylinder engine was equipped with an SU carburettor and gave out 57bhp. Now you may think this isn't anything much compared to cars these days but with about 655kg unladen it was pretty nippy. It made 0-100km/h in about 14seconds and could hit 140km/h.

I had the opportunity to drive one recently and it was a blast. This car from the mid 1970s had a very well sorted out engine with what I suspect had a fast road camshaft in it as well as some cylinder head work done to it aside from the usual air filter and exhaust mods. I did a good 200 or so kilometers in it from the city of Ipoh to Kuala Lumpur (at night) and it was awesome. I think this car made 0-100km/h in about 10 seconds and could easily hit 150km/h on a bad day. Pretty decent times for a 35 year-old car.

On the handling, it was superb on B-roads. This tiny front wheel drive car basically turned on a dime. Where you pointed the steering wheel is where the car would end up. The car on highway speeds felt pretty good, if not a little tiny beside those lorries and busses. Passing an express bus or being passed by one at about 110km/h while driving a Mini is something you have to get used to as you tend to notice the fact that you're in a very tiny shoebox. On the B-roads it was a little bouncy but on the 12 inch Minilite wheels and tire combo the ride felt waaayyy better than the original 10inch rims and tires. I suppose this is due to the improvement in modern rubber. The Mini actually cornered better and rode more comfortably than when it first left the factory nearly 35 years ago. The only flaw in the handling was the fact that the car actually pulled to the left when you lifted off abruptly at higher speeds. Maybe an engine or a shock mounting was worn out or worked itself loose.

It also had air-conditioning fitted as well as a decent audio system. This basically made the 1275GT nearly up to the task for the long drive I had to make in it. The only drawback was the 4 speed gearbox that it had. This basically made it pretty noisy at speeds higher than 110km/h. I suppose this was alright since the Malaysian North-South Highway's speed limit is 110km/h. Of course the Mini was conceived in the 1950s and in those days there were no highways, even in the UK. It was slightly out of its element, but with some modern amenities it coped admirably. Not fantastically, just admirably as I did pull over for a stop to stretch my legs.

Now the thing about Mini is its driving position. You actually know you're in a Mini as the steering wheel is angled away from you. Note the position of the steering wheel in a delivery van or a bus and you would know what I mean. Of course the steering wheel isn't bus sized. But the Mini has a decent if slightly awkward driving position that gives it some character. The other thing is that the car can actually sit four people in relative comfort even though its tiny. Something like Doctor Who's Tardis, small on the outside, large on the inside.

And then you add the gearbox whine. Only a Mini would give you such a noise from its transmission, although this 1275GT had its interior retrimmed and wasn't as noisy as the earlier, smaller Minis due to the interior carpeting. Some came without any in those days so it was louder. I remember as my mum owned one in the 70s and 80s (a classic Mini 850 not a Clubman). But it gave this little car a lot of character and a sense of occasion.

Funny how something so tiny can be one of the ultimate motoring experiences.

1975 Austin Mini 1275GT - Specifications

Layout: Front-engine , front wheel driveEngine: 4-cylinder 1275ccMax Power: 57bhp @5500rpm (this car has slightly more)Max Torque: 94Nm (69lb-ft) @ 3000rpm

Weight: 665kg/1444lbPower/Weight: 87bhp/ton0-100km/h: about 10seconds in this car, 14 seconds stockMax Speed: 140km/hPrice: n/a