1978 Leyland Mini 1275 LS
Vehicle details
About this 1275 LS
This car appeared for sale online around 2012. If anyone has further information, particularly with respect to the engine and chassis number, please pass these details on so we can accurately record this in the register.
This LS, like many others, is an unrestored, however, appears to be mostly complete and original. Unfortunately we dont have any further information about the car, but I hope someone will recognise the parts of the engine and chassis numbers that we have detailed above, and we can complete these details. This car seems to have suffered quite badly with rust in the front floor, and presumably, also in the front sills. However, if everything with these cars is still there, and original, it is well worth having the car repaired rather than parting it out. Due to the poor quality of paint jobs done on the late 70's mini's, unfortunately a lot of these cars (including many on classicregister.com) have been parted out, making an already rare car (1 / approx 800) even more rare.
Please let me know if you have any further details about this car, or any other 1275 LS cars which may be out there. As far as I know, this is the most comprehensive list of cars that exists, given that the production number on the chassis plate didnt exclude standard minis / other models produced at the time.
About the 1978 Leyland Mini 1275 LS
The Leyland Mini Clubman 1275 LS was the last mini version to be introduced and produced in Australia. The model was intended to have a longer production run as a high spec model in the Australian line up. However, with BMC ending manufacturing in Australia, the 1275 LS ended up being a run-out model, with estimates of 800 – 1000 cars produced overall.
The 1275 LS was produced in two colours, Nugget Gold and Hi-Ho Silver, both versions having side stripes with “1275 LS” printed to distinguish them from other models in the Leyland Mini line up. As the top model in the mini range, the 1275 LS was fitted with a 1275cc engine (sourced from and built in Europe), larger 12” wheels to house bigger front disc brakes, a long range fuel tank, and several other more “luxury” features available from the Mini parts bin of that era.
Interior features included a single speaker radio, triple pod instruments, adjustable seats and Formula GT steering wheel. Silver cars were generally fitted with Red corduroy style velour cloth seats, with black vinyl seat backings, door trims and roof lining. Gold cars were fitted with the same style fabric (but chocolate brown in colour), backed by cream vinyl, door trims and roof lining.
Without reference to the features of the car as briefly outlined above, a genuine 1275 LS can only be determined by its engine and chassis number. It is worth noting that the chassis plate of a 1275 LS will not specify “LS” like was done with other pre-1978 mini’s in Australia. The correct chassis first half prefix for a 1275 LS is XNFAD18Y/. The correct engine number can come in two forms. The most common form of the first half of the engine number prefix is 12H902. The other is 12H897.
It is unknown how many 1275 LS’s are still on the road, however, we have managed to collect the details of a decent number of cars on www.classicregister.com. If you have any information about any of the cars we have on this register, or would like to have your 1275 LS put on the register, please get in contact with us.
Here's our guide on how to identify a Leyland Mini 1275LS:
http://classicregister.com/content/how-identify-1978-leyland-mini-1275-ls