For sale: 1973 (MS75) Coupe S70 Crown Toyota
Specifications
This guide has been drafted to assist prospective buyers or enthusiasts looking for further information on the Mini GTS. The guide has been written based on a variety of published books, online sources and enthusiast input. However, you should not rely on this guide to make any purchasing decision and we make no representation that all information is accurate. You should always seek independent professional advice when looking to purchase a unique car. If you have additional information, photographs or corrections you believe need to be made to this page, please contact us by clicking the button at the top of this page, or comment below, so we can improve this guide for the benefit of enthusiasts.
The following sources (as referenced in the text), among input from many owners and enthusiasts, have contributed to the creation of this page. A particular thanks to those from the GTS Facebook Page, and Ryno Verster, who has kindly provided his permission to display extracts from his book below, which contained vital information for this guide. If you have any further information you believe can be added, please let us know by contacting us or commenting below.
1. Verster, R. (2007) Thanks for the Mini Memories – A South African Mini Story.
2. As detailed in Issue 26, The Mini Experience (Extract found at: http://www.bmcexperience.com.au/issue-26/1275gt), referencing Verster, R. (2007) Thanks for the Mini Memories – A South African Mini Story.
3. As detailed in Issue 26, The Mini Experience (Extract found at: http://www.bmcexperience.com.au/issue-26/1275gt), referencing Verster, R. (2007) Thanks for the Mini Memories – A South African Mini Story.
4. Based on knowledge that the Clubman GT used the Cooper S engine until late 1972, and the MK3 Cooper S used a rationalised 1275cc, as did other 1275cc minis (such as the 1275 GT and the Innocenti Cooper 1300 Export which had the 1300GT motor).
5. Rees, C. (2016) The Complete Catalogue of the Mini – Over 500 Variants From Around The World, Devon UK, Herridge & Sons Ltd, p.159. See also Verster, R. (2007) Thanks for the Mini Memories – A South African Mini Story p.103.
6. See January 1974 Issue, Car Magazine South Africa, and see also MM Older Vehicle Production Digest - Cars and LDVs Pre-77, and confirmed by Verster, R. (2007) Thanks for the Mini Memories – A South African Mini Story p.103, which references the figures provided by the National Association of Automobile Manufacturers of South Africa's data (Appendix D-1).
7. Rees, C. (2016) The Complete Catalogue of the Mini – Over 500 Variants From Around The World, Devon UK, Herridge & Sons Ltd, p.159 states that 4,210 were produced. This is confirmed in Verster, R. (2007) Thanks for the Mini Memories – A South African Mini Story p.103.
8. Production numbers provided in MM Older Vehicle Production Digest - Cars and LDVs pre-77.
9. Rees, C. (2016) The Complete Catalogue of the Mini – Over 500 Variants From Around The World, Devon UK, Herridge & Sons Ltd, p.159. See also MK3 changeover confirmed through general sources such as https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mini.
10. Verster, R. (2007) Thanks for the Mini Memories – A South African Mini Story p.102-103.
11. Verster, R. (2007) Thanks for the Mini Memories – A South African Mini Story p.100.
12. Based on observations made of GTS vehicles during research.
13. Based on observations made of GTS vehicles during research.
14. Verster, R. (2007) Thanks for the Mini Memories – A South African Mini Story p.101.
15. Verster, R. (2007) Thanks for the Mini Memories – A South African Mini Story p.101.
16. Confirmed in discussions on samini.co.za forum discussion plus see also Verster, R. (2007) Thanks for the Mini Memories – A South African Mini Story p.102.
17. Based on accounts of vehicle owners, and confirmed in Verster, R. (2007) Thanks for the Mini Memories – A South African Mini Story p.102.
18. Verster, R. (2007) Thanks for the Mini Memories – A South African Mini Story p.101.
19. Verster, R. (2007) Thanks for the Mini Memories – A South African Mini Story p.101.
20. Verster, R. (2007) Thanks for the Mini Memories – A South African Mini Story p.102.
21. Verster, R. (2007) Thanks for the Mini Memories – A South African Mini Story p.102.
22. This information is based on vehicles sighted during research, and accounts of several GTS enthusiasts and owners.
23. Per the original Mini GTS advertisement as displayed in section 7 of this guide.
24. Verster, R. (2007) Thanks for the Mini Memories – A South African Mini Story p.102.
25. Based on vehicles sighted and accounts from current owners and enthusiasts. Also confirmed in Verster, R. (2007) Thanks for the Mini Memories – A South African Mini Story p.102, however – this publication does not confirm the changeover of September 1978.
26. This is an assumed date based on vehicles sighted.
27. Based on a small number of vehicles sighted and forum discussion confirming the same on samini.co.za.
28. Based on vehicles sighted during research.
29. Based on vehicles sighted and confirmed by several current owners. See Also Verster, R. (2007) Thanks for the Mini Memories – A South African Mini Story p.102.
30. Mainland, K (2015) Classic Mini Specials and Moke, Marlborough UK, The Crowood Press.
31. Rees, C. (2016) The Complete Catalogue of the Mini – Over 500 Variants From Around The World, Devon UK, Herridge & Sons Ltd, p.159 and Verster, R. (2007) Thanks for the Mini Memories – A South African Mini Story p.99 and p.101.
32. Confirmed based on cars sighted and owners confirming the same.
33. Verster, R. (2007) Thanks for the Mini Memories – A South African Mini Story p.101.
34. Verster, R. (2007) Thanks for the Mini Memories – A South African Mini Story p.102.
35. Verster, R. (2007) Thanks for the Mini Memories – A South African Mini Story p.102.
36. Verster, R. (2007) Thanks for the Mini Memories – A South African Mini Story p.102.
37. Based on forum information, however, some enthusiasts have suggested the heated rear window was introduced later
38. Confirmed by an original car owner.
39. Rees, C. (2016) The Complete Catalogue of the Mini – Over 500 Variants From Around The World, Devon UK, Herridge & Sons Ltd, p.159.
40. Verster, R. (2007) Thanks for the Mini Memories – A South African Mini Story p.100 notes 1979, but we have been advised that Sep 1979 was the beginning of the 79 model year.
41. based on cars sighted and confirmed by Verster, R. (2007) Thanks for the Mini Memories – A South African Mini Story p.102.
42. Verster, R. (2007) Thanks for the Mini Memories – A South African Mini Story p.101.
43. Verster, R. (2007) Thanks for the Mini Memories – A South African Mini Story p.100.
44. Based on discussion from samini.co.za and confirmed by several vehicle owners during research.
45. Verster, R. (2007) Thanks for the Mini Memories – A South African Mini Story p.101.
46. Verster, R. (2007) Thanks for the Mini Memories – A South African Mini Story p.101.
47. Verster, R. (2007) Thanks for the Mini Memories – A South African Mini Story p.101.
48. Verster, R. (2007) Thanks for the Mini Memories – A South African Mini Story p.102.
49. Verster, R. (2007) Thanks for the Mini Memories – A South African Mini Story p.102.
50. Verster, R. (2007) Thanks for the Mini Memories – A South African Mini Story p.102.
51. Verster, R. (2007) Thanks for the Mini Memories – A South African Mini Story, and based on cars sighted and several owners confirming their opinions on the specifications.
52. Advice provided by owner of earlier and later model cars. This has not been confirmed by any official factory sources.
53. See http://www.austinminiwebsearch.com/clubmanGTS.html, as well as several colours suggested as being available on forum discussion on samini.co.za.
54. Verster, R. (2007) Thanks for the Mini Memories – A South African Mini Story p.102 – 103.
55. Verster, R. (2007) Thanks for the Mini Memories – A South African Mini Story p.103.
56. Based on vehicles sighted and several enthusiasts confirming the same.
57. Based on several vehicles sighted and details submitted by owners.
58. Base on discussion found on a forum samini.co.za.
59. As detailed in Issue 26, The Mini Experience (Extract found at: http://www.bmcexperience.com.au/issue-26/1275gt), referencing Verster, R. (2007) Thanks for the Mini Memories – A South African Mini Story.
60. Rees, C. (2016) The Complete Catalogue of the Mini – Over 500 Variants From Around The World, Devon UK, Herridge & Sons Ltd, p.168.
61. Tipler, J. (1994) Mini Cooper - The Real Thing, Dorset UK, Veloce Publishing.
62. Rees, C. (2016) The Complete Catalogue of the Mini – Over 500 Variants From Around The World, Devon UK, Herridge & Sons Ltd, p.168 and Car South Africa Magazine, January 1974 issue, p.32 and specifications provided in provided in MM Older Vehicle Production Digest - Cars and LDVs pre-77.
63. Rees, C. (2016) The Complete Catalogue of the Mini – Over 500 Variants From Around The World, Devon UK, Herridge & Sons Ltd, p.159
64. Rees, C. (2016) The Complete Catalogue of the Mini – Over 500 Variants From Around The World, Devon UK, Herridge & Sons Ltd, p.159
65. Rees, C. (2016) The Complete Catalogue of the Mini – Over 500 Variants From Around The World, Devon UK, Herridge & Sons Ltd, p.159 and information on http://www.austinminiwebsearch.com/clubmanGTS.html
66. See the Pre 77 vehicles guide containing ratios.
67. Verster, R. (2007) Thanks for the Mini Memories – A South African Mini Story, confirming the brake booster is a different unit to the Cooper S unit.
68. Verster, R. (2007) Thanks for the Mini Memories – A South African Mini Story p.101.
69. Verster, R. (2007) Thanks for the Mini Memories – A South African Mini Story p.101.
70. Verster, R. (2007) Thanks for the Mini Memories – A South African Mini Story p.101.
71. Rees, C. (2016) The Complete Catalogue of the Mini – Over 500 Variants From Around The World, Devon UK, Herridge & Sons Ltd, p.159
72. Rees, C. (2016) The Complete Catalogue of the Mini – Over 500 Variants From Around The World, Devon UK, Herridge & Sons Ltd, p.159
73. Verster, R. (2007) Thanks for the Mini Memories – A South African Mini Story p.100 - 101.
74. Verster, R. (2007) Thanks for the Mini Memories – A South African Mini Story p.100.
75. Verster, R. (2007) Thanks for the Mini Memories – A South African Mini Story p.100.
Vehicle location
United Kingdom , England , Chorley
Spotted on Facebook Marketplace in October 2022 asking GBP 7,500! The seller described the car as a pre-facelift. 99.9% complete car, 90% of the fabrication work has been done. All rust has been removed it just needs the bottoms of the doors & wings making, and the rear quarters finishing, then its into finessing/gapping before paint prep. It's been on a rotisserie, bare metalled inside & out, underneath has been coated in Raptor, the chassis has been blasted, treated & powdercoated.
The seller also had heaps of spares, and the trim was supposedly mint. Hard work done and ready for the next owner to finish off a super rare car.