MINI 1275 GT (1969-80)

WHY IT’S SPECIAL It’s an icon of the 1970s and a great value ticket into hot-Mini ownership – but prices are creeping up

It’s hard to argue that BL didn’t make a bit of a backward step with the 1275 GT, given that for most of its life it was the sportiest Mini available, yet was slower than the ‘roundnose’ Cooper it had

replaced, let alone the Cooper S. For those who are too young to remember the Cooper S, however, the 1275 GT was an icon of the 1970s, its Roy Haynes styled ‘squarefront’ being very much of its era. Again, this is a model that frequently gets replicated as Clubmans still aren’t worth much. Look for hardto-find 1275 GT-only bits like a leather bound steering wheel and a triple dial instrument binnacle.

WHAT TO PAY £4000-7000