This car was a second attempt to produce a Mini based sports car and a possible replacement for the MG Midget. The project was, however, dropped because it would not comply with the stringent safety and emissions standards of the USA.

Although it was styled by Paul Hughes at Longbridge, the prototype was built by Michelotti. One of the team, Robin Owen, drove a 1275 GT Mini to Italy and supervised its rebuilding.

The Mini 1275 GT, on which the prototype was based, was a new model and the only mechanical modification made was twin exhaust tail-pipes. The Hydrolastic suspension was a standard feature but one of the special body features was the removable half roof Targa panels.