Tuesday 15th November 2011

You Know You Want To... The GT40 Mini...

Q: When is a GT40 not a GT40? A: When it's a Mini. We'll explain...

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GTD cars (builders of Ford GT40 replicas) appear to have been defunct for some time now, which is a shame because we might never know exactly how or why this particular Mini-esque motor car came into existence.

It appears that in 1994 someone came up with the idea of dropping an aluminium and GRP Mini body over a custom frame - much of which was based on the frame which GTD used for their GT40 replica.As such the small block Ford V8 fitted perfectly in the back to make a kind of V8 Mini pick-up...but without the pick-up bit. And why not?

Okay, so with a total fuel capacity of 50 litres the chances are that you won't manage 200 miles between fill-ups, and the luggage capacity of... er... zero litres requires a roof box to be fitted if, like the vendor did, you fancy taking it to LeMans. The roof box is included in the sale, and the looks on the faces of fellow motorists as you thunder past them in a 5.0-litre, V8 Mini carrying said extra luggage might be worth a fair chunk of the asking price by itself.

At £17,500 it's a lot less than you'd normally expect to pay for a faithful GT40 replica, although apparently it shares the GT40's shortcomings when it comes to accommodating drivers over six foot tall (you don't say - Ed). Of course, if you do a lot of winter driving then perhaps this isn't for you and you need something altogether more practical like, well... just about anything else really...

[cliffie]

I know the car well and drove it in the early days. It is based on a mini estate, not a pick up and it was blisteringly fast. A real piece of bizzare Mini heritage. I also remember a mini built in a 4WD suzuki chassis and an old mate of mine built a sprint/hillclimb mini based on sierra 4x4 running gear including the V6 engine up front.

[jellison]

Used to have pic's of this as a screen svaer when into minis.

Needs a woody back dropped on to make a tad more Q car(ish!!).

[M666 EVO]

I want that so bad. It's rediculous but I love it...

[uncle tez]

I like it but im not sure about the hole punch on the dash

[Codswallop]

The gear stick appears to be situated in the passenger's footwell. How wonderfully eccentric.

[anonymous-user]

Not sure.
Don't really like a butchered Mini but a V8? Hmmm. Maybe if the rear was wooden!
Any specs for this anywhere? (like 0-60 etc)

[Robmarriott]

cliffie said:

It is based on a mini estate, not a pick up

The DVLA data says otherwise;

Austin Mini 95

That makes it either a van, or a pickup....

[Dagnut]

Maybe economy wouldn't be that bad ..it can't weight more than 900kg

[Harry Flashman]

Beyond awesome, and if you want an insane track toy, a bargain.

[Jont999]

I saw this a few times at Mini shows and it made a fantastic noise. As I recall from the article in one of the mini mags, it was build by the guy responsible for the Spectre R42. Someone buy it and post photos and vids please

[GTRene]

its madnes...

I love it

though be sure when you have a passenger, its a good looking woman,
because when you have to switch gears you have to grap? between her legs the way that gear-lever is positioned...
so don't even think about taking a g.. with you as a passenger.

[B10]

In a similar vein the was a wonderful Citroen Acadiane (Dyanne van) / Lotus Esprit hybrid. Esprit chassis and running gear plus a Acadiane body. Also there is a Citroen 2CV Fourgonnette / Ferrari F355 hybrid.

[Mini1275]

Absolutely superb!.

I've seen it at a few shows over the years, it's amazing what projects people come up with. I bet it's an interesting drive.

[JaseB]

Seen this on a trackday a couple of years ago, proper mental

[Caractacus]

I saw thiss just a couple of days ago and fell in love right away.

Having sold my Crendon 427SC and the deal on the Ultima falling through I thought this could fit the bill rather well...until swmbo saw it

[spaximus]

If my memory serves me correctly the owner of GTD was Ray Christopher who was a legend in the customising world with a V8 milk float and V8 helicopter to name a couple of his cars.
He built this as a toy for himself and used it in sprints and things. Superb workmanship and totally bonkers.

[cliffie]

Robmarriott said:

The DVLA data says otherwise;

Austin Mini 95

That makes it either a van, or a pickup....

Sorry, you are right, it was a van not an estate.

[Caractacus]

The bhp is rather conservative, don't you think? 350bhp would be a reasonably easy target to hit, surely?

As for drivabilty with the added oomph? Pah, who cares. Take it the the 'pod and see what it manages!

[Sivraj]

I'm so glad I don’t have £17,500.00 going spare or I would defiantly go and buy it!..
Absolutely fantastic

[papercup]

So you have to reach between your passenger's legs to change gear?