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MINI Cooper Cars

The 1275GT is often incorrectly described as the "Mini Clubman 1275GT". The official name was always just the "Mini 1275GT", and it was a separate, distinct model from the Mini Clubman (albeit, it shared the same frontal treatment as the Mini Clubman, and was launched at the same time).

In 1971, the 1275 cc Mini Cooper S was discontinued in the UK, leaving the Mini 1275GT as the only sporting Mini on sale for the rest of the decade. Innocenti in Italy, however, continued making their own version of the Mini Cooper for some time. While the UK built 1275GT was not nearly as quick as a 1275 Mini Cooper S, it was cheaper to buy, run, and insure. It was the first Mini to be equipped with a tachometer. It also featured a standard-fit close-ratio gearbox. Performance of the 1275GT was lively for the time, achieving 0–60 mph (97 km/h) in 12.9 seconds, and the excellent midrange torque offered a 30–50 mph (48–80 km/h) time in top gear of only nine seconds. The bluff front, however, meant that the model struggled to reach 90 mph (140 km/h). The 1275 cc A-series engine could be cheaply and easily tuned, though the cheap purchase price and prominent "sidewinder" door stripes meant that this model developed a reputation as something of a "boy-racer special" during the 1970s and into the 1980s.

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MINI Cooper Cars

In 1969, under the ownership of British Leyland, the Mini was given a facelift by stylist Roy Haynes, who had previously worked for Ford. The restyled version was called the Mini Clubman, and has a squarer frontal look, using the same indicator/sidelight assembly as the Austin Maxi. The Mini Clubman was intended to replace the upmarket Riley and Wolseley versions. A new model, dubbed the 1275GT, was slated as the replacement for the 998 cc Mini Cooper (the 1275 cc Mini Cooper S continued alongside the Mini Clubman 1275GT for two years until 1971). The Mini Clubman Estate took over where the Countryman and Traveller left off.

However, British Leyland continued to produce the classic 1959 "round-front" design, alongside the newer Mini Clubman and Mini Clubman 1275GT models (which were replaced in 1980 by the new hatchback Austin Metro, while production of the original "round-front" Mini design continued for another 20 years.)

Production of the Mini Clubman and Mini Clubman 1275GT got off to a slow start because the cars incorporated "lots of production changes" including the relocation of tooling from the manufacturer's Cowley plant to the Longbridge plant: very few cars were handed over to customers before the early months of 1970.

Early domestic market Mini Clubman were still delivered on cross-ply tyres despite the fact that by 1970 radials had become the norm for the car's mainstream competitors. By 1973 new Minis were, by default, being shipped with radial tyres, though cross-plies could be specified by special order, giving British buyers a price saving of $8. ~ MINI Cooper Cars Models Mini Clubman and 1275GT

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MINI Cooper Cars

A more powerful MINI Cooper Cars, dubbed the "S", was developed in tandem and released in 1963. Featuring a 1071 cc engine with a 70.61 mm bore and nitrided steel crankshaft and strengthened bottom end to allow further tuning; and larger servo-assisted disc brakes, 4,030 MINI Cooper S cars were produced and sold until the model was updated in August 1964. MINI Cooper Cars also produced two MINI Cooper S cars models specifically for circuit racing in the under 1000cc and under 1300cc classes respectively, rated at 970 cc and a 1275 cc, both with the 70.61mm bore and both of which were also offered to the public. The smaller-engine model was not well received, and only 963 had been built when the model was discontinued in 1965. The 1275 cc MINI Cooper S cars models continued in production until 1971.

Sales of the MINI Cooper Cars were as follows: 64,000 MINI Cooper Cars Mark I with 997 cc or 998 cc engines; 19,000 MINI Cooper S Cars Mark I with 970 cc, 1071 cc or 1275 cc engines; 16,000 MINI Cooper Cars Mark II with 998 cc engines; 6,300 MINI Cooper S Cars Mark II with 1275 cc engines. There were no MINI Cooper Cars Mark III and just 1,570 MINI Cooper S Cars Mark III 's.

The MINI Cooper S cars earned acclaim with Monte Carlo Rally victories in 1964, 1965 and 1967. Minis were initially placed first, second and third in the 1966 rally as well, but were disqualified after a controversial decision by the French judges. The disqualification related to the use of a variable resistance headlamp dimming circuit in place of a dual-filament lamp. It should be noted that the Citron DS that was eventually awarded first place had illegal white headlamps but escaped disqualification. The driver of the Citron, Pauli Toivonen, was reluctant to accept the trophy and vowed that he would never race for Citron again. BMC probably received more publicity from the disqualification than they would have gained from a victory.

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Classic MINI Cars

Issigonis' friend John Cooper, owner of the Cooper Car Company and designer and builder of Formula One and rally cars, saw the potential of the Mini Cars for competition. Issigonis was initially reluctant to see the Mini Cars in the role of a performance car, but after John Cooper appealed to BMC management, the two men collaborated to create the Mini Cooper Cars, a nimble, economical and inexpensive car. The Austin Mini Cooper Cars and Morris Mini Cooper Cars debuted in 1961.

The original 848 cc engine from the Morris Mini-Minor Cars was given a longer stroke to increase capacity to 997 cc, boosting power from 34 bhp to 55 bhp (25 to 41 kW). The Mini Cars featured a racing-tuned engine, twin SU carburettors, a closer-ratio gearbox and front disc brakes, uncommon at the time in a small car. One thousand units of this version were commissioned by management, intended for and designed to meet the homologation rules of Group 2 rally racing. The 997 cc engine was replaced by a shorter stroke 998 cc unit in 1964.