It's a Mini world

A long love affair with the Mini has helped Andy Macukewicz’s transition to a new life in Australia.

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Back in February 1986 I had just passed my driving test and, flicking through the Derby Evening Telegraph, saw a for sale ad for a 1978 1275 GT. My father and I set off to view it. There it was, CDU 308T: a 1978 Mini 1275 GT in Vermilion Red, complete with Dunlop Denovo run-flat tyres and a home-made centre console.

It turned out to be a bit of a rust-box and soon needed a rear valance and some Isopon in the A-panels. Then the flitch panels rotted away and I could only get in through the passenger door in fear of the driver’s door falling off! After fitting a Stage 1 kit I noticed that I was leaving a trail of blue smoke behind. A melted number three piston was the catalyst for ‘Project 1400’. Cue: a new front end, flitch panels etc., a new coat of Vermilion Red and a black roof. I built a 1400cc power plant from a donor 1300 GT unit that came out of my friend’s Brown Mini 1000 (aka Jobby) that he had crashed.