INFO GUIDE: 1973 - 1980 Leyland Mini GTS

General features and changes:

• Front seatbelts were fitted standard on all year models, however, no rear seatbelts were ever fitted to the GTS.³²
• A revised sun-visor design was introduced in July 1975, with the passenger side visor now incorporating a vanity mirror.³³
• From April 1977, slightly larger / more rounded brake and clutch pedals were fitted.³⁴
• For the 1979 model year (from Sep 1978), a dipping rear view mirror was fitted (the previous type did not have this functionality).³⁵
• A revised handbrake grip was introduced for the 1979 model year (from September 1978).³⁶ We are currently seeking image examples for comparison.
• In March 1977, a heated rear window, hazard warning lights and tinted windscreen were introduced.³⁷
• A vinyl mat was originally fitted in the trunk, covering the spare wheel and battery.³⁸

Steering wheels:

• A 3-spoke leather-wrapped sports steering wheel was fitted to the GTS throughout all years, however, it is broadly understood that two different styles were fitted.³⁹
• Cars prior to September 1978 received a larger diameter steering wheel with polished aluminium spokes containing 5 drill-holes of descending sizes, and a soft plastic centre-boss containing an Austin badge.⁴⁰ These wheels are believed to be the same as applied to the Austin 1300 GT.
• Later steering wheels (from September 1978 onward)⁴¹ were also leather wrapped 3-spoke wheels with aluminium spokes, but are differentiated from the earlier wheels by their thicker rim and smaller diameter. It appears that several designs were applied to the spokes of these later wheels, with some receiving drilled spokes and others not. A soft plastic centre-boss was also applied, housing a Leyland centre badge.
• A Steering lock was introduced in July 1975. This coincided with the re-positioning of the vehicle's ignition on the right of the steering column.⁴²

Instrument cluster:

• A 3-pod instrument cluster was fitted standard containing fuel/temp, speedometer and tachometer instruments (same layout as the 1275 GT).
• The 200km/h speedometer showed km/h units with mph on the inner circle⁴³
• The tachometer fitted was an 8,000 RPM unit. The redline on vehicles prior to July 1975 was 6,500 RMP, and from July 1975 onward was moved down to 6,000 RPM.⁴⁴

Lower-dash switch panel, heater and other controls:

• A heater/demister was always standard equipment on the GTS. Prior to July 1975, the GTS was fitted with a single-speed heater/fan/demister. A revised design 3-speed heater/fan/demister was fitted from July 1975 onward.⁴⁵
• The pre-July 1975 GTS central lower dash switch panel housed the cars ignition switch button, and rocker switches controlling the windscreen wipers, headlamps and heater, with a pull-control for the choke.⁴⁶
• From July 1975, a hazard warning lamp switch was added, with the switch fitted on the far left side of the central dash switch panel. This switch was put in the position of the ignition switch, which from July 1975 onward was moved to the right side of the steering column.⁴⁷
• From April 1977, an additional switch was added to the central dashboard switch panel for the heated rear window.⁴⁸

• Prior to April 1977, the indicator stalk was on the right-hand side of the steering column, and also served as a high beam dipper switch and push-horn. There was no stalk on the left side of the steering wheel in these earlier cars.⁴⁹

• From April 1977 onward, a stalk was introduced on the left side of the steering column, operating the two-speed wipers and electronic windscreen washers.⁵⁰

Trim types and colours (seats, door cards and carpets):⁵¹

• Up to September 1978, the GTS used the same seats/trim as the 1275 GT. Sighted original colours include black, white, tan/brown, beige and red (burgundy). All seats on vehicles prior to September 1978 are trimmed in full vinyl. The front seats have 9 thin horizontal insert-pleats on the seat back, and 8 on the squabs. The rear seats have 11 thin horizontal insert-pleats on the seat back, and 8 on the squabs.
• For the 1979 model year (From September 1978), a new seat design was introduced with a single hole in the top for a headrest. The GTS was never fitted with headrests, however, we have been informed that certain BMC headrests do fit the seats. These later model GTS cars were offered with a trim material combination of vinyl outer edge panels with cloth insert pleats. The front seats had 5 vertical cloth pleats on the back and squab, and the back seats had 7 vertical pleats (on each seat) on both the back and squab. Only two colours have been sighted; beige vinyl with cream insert pleats and tan vinyl with beige insert pleats. See the examples in the images.
• Earlier vehicles (possibly prior to July 1975) had one piece front and one piece rear fitted carpets. Later vehicles (possibly from July 1975 onward) had 3-piece front and 3-piece rear carpets.⁵²
• Carpets fitted were loop pile and had a felt underlay. The carpets we've so far sighted in pre-1975 models have all been black, whilst the later model carpets have had two different shades of brown. Further research is needed to confirm the precise colour options. The carpets had an integrated “Leyland” rubber heel pad in the front on the driver’s side.

Paint code location prior to April 1977:

Based on vehicles sighted during our research, it appears that pre-April 1977 vehicles did not have a paint colour or indicated anywhere on the vehicle, and restorers will have to rely on assessing a car's original paint to determine the colour specification. 

Paint code location (From April 1977 onward):

The original paint colour applied to a post-April 1977 GTS should appear reverse stamped into the vehicle's body tag (welded to the rear passenger-side parcel shelf). Interestingly, we have sighted two blue paint names on data plates we've sighted: (1) "Sapph Blue" (which we assume is short for Sapphire Blue, (2) "Balt Blue" (which is perhaps short for Baltic Blue). We've also sighted "A/Green" and "ALO White" - although it's unclear what these last two could be short for. Despite having different short form names, these colours presumably correspond with (respectively) Pale Dark Blue, Royal Blue, Metallic Green and of course, White (as listed in the table below).

Several enthusiasts have noted that original paint colours may be referenced in several other places in production crayon marker. One location sighted is on the back seat vertical panel/bulkhead. This was likely used during production to ensure panels were correctly matched, however, we have not been able to obtain any images confirming this.⁵³

Paint colours available:⁵⁴

The following list of colours has been taken from Ryno Verster's research, combined with an assessment of numerous vehicles sighted during research which are believed to be factory original. Unfortunately, factory paint colours and codes were rarely published for the GTS Minis,⁵⁵ and we have only been able to attempt to match colour descriptions with the vehicles shown in the images to the best of our assessment ability. Therefore, please use caution if relying on the labelled images. Should you have any further information with respect to the original GTS paint colours, please get in contact with us so we can update this section for everyone's benefit.

The format of the GTS chassis number will depend on the vehicle's build date as outlined below:⁵⁶

Early vehicles (possibly up to July 1975):

These early vehicles were issued a unique 7-digit "Car Number", and a unique 4-digit "Body Number", both of which were prefixed by the early GTS prefix "XAD2S".

1. The Car Number is stamped into an aluminium tag pop riveted to the driver's side front slam panel (under the bonnet).

2. The Body Number is stamped into a separate aluminium tag riveted to the driver's side front slam panel (under the bonnet), and was also reverse stamped into a body tag welded to the passenger's side front slam panel. Body tags have a wavering edge as shown in the images.

Mid-production vehicles (possibly from July 1975 - August 1978):

These mid-production cars were also issued the same 7-digit "Car Number", and a unique 4-digit "Body Number" as the early vehicles, both of which were again prefixed by the early GTS prefix "XAD2S". The relevant numbers for these vehicles can be found in the following locations:

1. The Car Number is stamped into an aluminium tag pop-riveted to the driver's side front slam panel (under the bonnet).

2. The Body Number is stamped into a separate aluminium tag riveted to the driver's side front slam panel (under the bonnet). 

3. The reverse stamped body tag, however, was relocated to the rear passenger parcel shelf (the same location as post-August 1978 vehicles). The body tags had a wavering edge as shown in the images.

Vehicles from September 1978 onward:

The later GTS vehicles changed their coding system, and were issued a unique 6-digit "Serial Number" a unique 7-digit "Chassis Number", and the GTS "Model Code" was changed to "1144BA":

1. All three codes are located on a single data plate on the driver's side slam panel (under the bonnet).

2. The Model Code and the vehicle's Serial Number were also reverse stamped into a body tag welded to the passenger's side rear parcel shelf. The body tags had a wavering edge as shown in the images. This tag also contains the stamping "GTS" and the vehicle's original paint colour name.

Engine number:

The GTS has an engine prefix of “12H-GTS-H”, followed by a 4 digit unique engine number. This prefix and number is reverse stamped on an aluminium plate riveted to the engine block as demonstrated in the images. The 4 digit engine number is also stamped into the engine block face just above the oil filter, below the head, and should match the unique engine number on the engine tag.⁵⁷

Engine block and head characteristics:

The GTS received a 1275cc engine of very similar specification to the Cooper S. The block was locally cast in South Africa by Gearings Foundry in Epping, Cape Town - using the British-spec MK2 Cooper S engine as a template.⁵⁸ This local production contributed to the GTS achieving local content benchmarks to reduce taxation duties.⁵⁹ The decision to build these engines also meant that South Africa became the only country to continue using a Cooper S spec engine block through the 1970s, whilst elsewhere that motor was phased out and replaced by the rationalised 1275cc motors with a solid rear block wall (for example, that used in the 1275 GT). The closest factory built engine of the era in terms of power was that applied to the Innocenti Mini (1300 Export).⁶⁰ This used a 1300 GT engine and several Cooper S accessories such as twin SU carburettors, and was built up to 1975. This was still down in power terms at 70bhp, vs the 74bhp of the GTS.⁶¹

Like the Cooper S, the GTS engine was an 11-stud unit, had integral side covers and the head received double valve springs. The head had an inlet valve diameter of 35.65mm, and  an exhaust valve diameter of 29.37mm. The block was bored to the same specifications as the Cooper S, with a 70.64mm bore, and a stroke of 81.33mm to achieve the 1275cc. The compression ratio was also 9.75:1. Unique to the South African engines, however, was the location of the oil filter gallery, which meant the oil filter was fitted above the starter motor. Despite the similar specifications, the GTS produced 74bhp, (slightly down on the original Cooper S).

Engine blocks and heads were finished in a semi-gloss grey/black paint. We have not yet been able to confirm the paint code.  For additional performance figures and mechanical specifications of the GTS engine, see section 6 of this guide below.⁶²