British Leyland Mini Clubman 1275GT

British Leyland Mini Clubman 1275GT – Originally built in 1998 as a replica of XJB 308H, the penultimate ‘Works’ 1,275GT, and less than 5,000 miles since a total rebuild by Minisport.

In the days when rallying was as much about proving a car’s reliability as its speed, the 1970 Daily Mirror World Cup Rally was the ultimate test. Just 23 cars finished from nearly 100 starters, the slimmest percentage of all the original ‘marathon’ rallies. It was so named because the route would follow the direction of the Jules Rimet Trophy as the World Cup’s host city moved from London in 1966 to Mexico City in 1970, the trip was hardly direct, taking in much of western and central Europe and the length of South America on its 16,000-mile journey.

A sole Mini took part in the World Cup Rally, with BL at that point having switched its sporting focus from the Cooper to the square-fronted 1275GT. Though fully works supported, the Mini wasn’t expected to actually complete the rally, but BMC hoped it would lead the European sections, proving the new 1275GT’s speed (crucial, considering that it was a fair bit slower than the soon-to-be-discontinued Cooper ‘S’) before inevitably dropping out in America. It didn’t even do that, however, after blowing its pistons in Yugoslavia due to poor fuel.

This particular example is an exacting replica of the car that took part, because the owner of the original doesn’t usually attend shows. A committed rally fan, our vendor worked as an apprentice at RTS Motorway Remoulds, which entered car number one – a Ford Cortina GT– in the London-Sydney Marathon rally in 1968. His interest in long-distance rallying grew from there: “I’ve always had Minis, ever since my first car, so it was natural for me to make a replica of the only Mini to take part in the World Cup Rally.”

That car was originally built in 1988 and appears to faithfully replicate, XJB 308H, British Leyland’s only Mini entry in the 1970 World Cup Rally. By 2009 it was ready for a bit of a refresh and long-established specialists, Mini Sport in Burnley, were selected for the task. There is a file with the car documenting the components used and costs and they are summarised below. The Mini has covered just 4,750 miles since the build and has been regularly maintained.

Engine and Gearbox

• Fully rebuilt in 2010 by Mini Sport and less than 4,750 miles since
• Longman cylinder head with ISKY valve springs
• Avonbar forged rockers
• New 1275 A-Series crankshaft nitrocarburised
• Kent steel vernier duplex timing gears
• Kent Meg rally camshaft
• Balanced and polished rods
• Competition centre main cap
• Omega dished high compression pistons
• High-capacity oil pump
• Aldon race distributor
• Tyler inlet manifold and Weber 40DCOE with a K&N filter
• Maniflow large bore LCB manifold and full 1.75” bore twin-box exhaust
• Ultralight steel flywheel
• Light steel backplate
• AP ceramic paddle clutch centre plate with AP Grey diaphragm clutch

Body and Interior

• Rebuilt and repainted by Minisport in 2009 (Tartan Red with an OEW roof)
• Cross-drilled grooved discs and Cooper s calipers
• Genuine 5×10” Minilites
• Seam-welded and powder coated subframes (rear new in 2011)
• Fully rewired with a custom loom in 2008
• Monte Carlo Alloy Sumpguard
• Full roll-cage including door bars
• 4-point harnesses (new 2014)
• Moto-Lita Mk 4 suede covered wheel
• Custom works replica dash – paperwork includes wiring diagrams
• Works-type heated front screen
• Brantz International 2 Tripmeter
• Lifeline plumbed-in extinguisher plus a hand-held
• Red Top 30 battery
• 70amp alternator
• 4 x Lucas 700 lights

The car has a current MSA Logbook but the seats and fire extinguisher are out of date, however, it’s fully usable for non-MSA events and is always being invited to historic events and shows where lots of people still remember the 1970 World Cup Rally. Nostalgia apart, this is a superbly built little rally car in its own right could be very competitive in the right hands.