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This model is basically a combination of a
Wolseley Hornet/Riley Elf rear and a standard mini front. It is unique to the
South African market and apparently went on sale in 1969. Also peculiar to
South Africa is the Wolseley 1000, a model with the distinctive Wolseley Hornet
bonnet and a standard mini rear.
I bought this mini – my first car – in June
2002. I practised for and passed my drivers’ test in the car, which obviously
made parallel parking a breeze.
The body was resprayed a few years before I
came across it and I’ve no idea of the original colour. The Old English White
roof appears the original paintjob though.
I’ve attempted to keep the car as original
as possible, adding just a subtle high-level brake-light, a pair of chrome
period side mirrors, a radio/cassette and a pair of 6x9s.
The car has suffered from the usual
maintenance problems. Parts that have had to be replaced include the clutch
release bearing, a CV joint, wheelbearings, a rubber coupling, shocks and
various pipes and lines. So the usual issues on a mini then!
A mini club has been started in Cape Town
and, at the time of writing, boasts about fifty members. We have a number of
1275GTSs, 1275Es, 1275HLEs, two Mini Mokes, a Pickup, an imported Riley Elf, a
number of 998s, my MkIII, a couple of 1100s and a 1961 “850”, which features a
monster engine.
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