It’s not every day that you come across a Mini pick-up truck with a mid-mounted V8 engine. This particular vehicle is a custom creation built by GT Developments using a modified Ford GT40 replica frame.
The car is powered by a 5.0-liter Ford V8 engine, sending power to the rear wheels via a 5-speed transaxle. It boasts independent front and rear suspension, four-wheel disc brakes, and a modified Mini Countryman body. The estimated output is around 300 bhp.
A Unique Engineering Project
GT Developments, a British company founded in the early 1980s, gained renown for producing highly accurate Ford GT40 replicas. They built these replicas from the 1990s through the early 2000s, developing a reputation for exceptional fit and finish. This made their vehicles highly sought after.
In 1994, GT Developments showcased their engineering talent with the mid-engined Mini pick-up project.
The vehicle utilized a modified GT40 replica chassis and a Mini Countryman body, which was transformed into a pick-up truck. The V8 engine was positioned in the rear cargo bed, attracting significant attention from automotive media.
This custom Mini V8 pick-up will soon be offered at auction by Iconic Auctioneers with a price guide set between £30,000 and £35,000 (approximately $39,000-$45,500 USD).
The GT Developments Legacy
GT Developments started building some of the most highly-regarded Ford GT40 replicas in the early 1990s.
The firm initially manufactured sub-assemblies for the KVA GT40 replica created by Kenneth Attwell, who was the senior production manager at Ford’s Swansea factory. Attwell had secured permission to take exact fiberglass molds from an original Ford GT40, offering a level of accuracy rarely seen in replicas.
GT Developments then started building their own replicas. Ray Christopher, the company director, reached an agreement with Bob Lutz (then the head of Ford Europe) to get a supply of genuine Ford parts. The GTD40, as their GT40 replicas were called, was produced from the early 1990s to the early 2000s.
The Mid-Engined Mini
In 1994, Ray Christopher initiated the car project featured in this article. The goal was to showcase the company’s engineering abilities and generate media attention, providing publicity for the firm.
Inside, the vehicle features an integrated roll cage, seating for two with harnesses, a right-side shifter, and all the essential instrumentation. The build began with a modified version of the GT Developments GT40 replica chassis, a tubular steel spaceframe designed to accommodate a rear-mid-mounted V8, which powers the rear wheels. The chassis was fitted with the same independent front and rear suspension used on the GTD40, along with four-wheel disc brakes, and rack and pinion steering.
The body from a Mini Countryman, the long wheelbase van variant, was used and modified, with the rear van section cropped to create a pick-up truck-style back end. The front cab was retained, providing seating for two with an integral roll cage, and both seats have racing harnesses. The cargo bed now houses a 5.0-liter Ford small-block V8. Details about engine modifications are limited, but its output is estimated at 300 bhp.
The engine is equipped with wrapped equal-length headers feeding into dual four-into-one straight pipes. Power is delivered through a 5-speed manual transaxle. Given the vehicle’s low weight, it is likely to be very quick.
After its completion in the mid-1990s, the car received significant coverage in British automotive magazines. The vehicle is scheduled to be auctioned by Iconic Auctioneers on March 22nd.
If you want to learn more about the car, or place a bid, you can check out the listing here.
