Way back in 1994 a man called Ray Christopher decided get a new company car.
Christopher was the owner of a company called GT Developments that built Ford GT40 replicas in the UK, but he wanted something a little different and, perhaps, a little more practical. So he had his company build this utterly mad Mini pick-up that was based on its bespoke GT40 replica chassis and packing a small block 5.0-litre Ford V8 in the tray and a five speed manual transmission. As you do.
In reality, the "Mini" was a publicity stunt that brilliantly fulfilled its aim by achieving massive amounts of coverage in UK and global motoring magazines, raising the profile of GT Developments and its GT40 replicas, as well as becoming a true legend in 1990s Mini-nerd circles (yes, I was definitely a part of that...).
It may have been a publicity stunt, but it was a fully drivable one and it is now one that you could own, as it has just surfaced for auction in the UK.
Iconic Auctioneers has the legendary little beast listed as a "1979 Mini Pick-up GTD40 (V8)" and before you go dismissing that description by suggesting that the "Mini" part is most likely a fibreglass replica body on the GTD chassis; it's most certainly not.
The auction house describes the creation as "a bespoke GTD40 ladder frame, 250bhp Ford 'small-block' V8, 5-speed gearbox, rose-joints and coil-overs, topped by most of a Mini Countryman", which is very accurate - the GTD chassis was modified to accept a Countryman van body - albeit with the rear half and floor removed, but it was still a genuine Mini body. The enormous wheel arches are fibreglass and aluminium constructs, however.
While the Mini is currently listed as having 250bhp (186kW), the 5.0-litre V8 originally pumped 300bhp (224kW) through the rear wheels, while it also boasts adjustable coil-over suspension, a competition roll cage, leather seats and an alloy dashboard.
Having recently been treated to a £15,000 (NZ$34,000) refurbishment that included a gearbox rebuild, new pedal box, new carbs, rear callipers and more, the Mini features just 5969 miles (9606km) on the clock and has a sale estimate of between £30,000 and £35,000 (NZ$67,980 and NZ$79,300).
The auction takes place on Saturday 22nd March, 2025 at 12.00pm GMT and, yes, you can bid online. But as Iconic Auctioneers closes out the listing: "If you are the 'shy and retiring' type, this may not be for you."
