Introduction
Jacob Boodrie
Marketed as "a great leap forward", the Mini Kangaroo is a rare sight in the UK.
Built at the Australian British Motor Corporation factory in Zetland, New South Wales, using 80% locally sourced components, the Morris Mini K was advertised as "The great leap forward". The K was offered in two body styles: a 2-door saloon and a 2-door van. It featured distinctive wind-up windows and swivelling quarterlights with Mk I-style external hinges.
Powered by the then-new 1098cc (1100) engine, it boasted a 25% increase in power, leaping (hence the ‘K’ for Kangaroo) to an impressive 50bhp, delivering that power to the front wheels via a 4-speed manual gearbox.
The current custodian, Sophy, has enjoyed ownership for the past ~26 years - she has done her utmost to keep this Kangaroo as original as possible, sourcing rare and sought-after parts from Australia while making a few tasteful modifications along the way. This car is one of the last to leave the factory as production ran from March 1969 - August 1971, Sophy told us her birthday is 27 July 1971.
This listing was written from information supplied by Jacob after meeting Sophy the owner, and having visited and photographed the vehicle.
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REGISTER SIMILARAsk Questions
Hi Sophy,
Is the gearbox original or was it changed out in one of the engine swaps?
George
Hi George.
To the best of my knowledge it’s the original box – standard H, reverse bottom right.
When I used it as my main car (1999-2004), I did think about getting a 5-speed box put in (or perhaps adding an overdrive for motorway driving) but never got around to it.
It was mostly a runabout with trips sub 30miles each way but happily drove from Sydney to Nowra or out to the other side of the Blue Mtns. Here, her longest trip was from London to Lands End and back ?
Hello Sophy I absolutely love your Mini I wish I could buy it out of the Auction can I ? its for my wife, My brother moved to Australia some 60 years ago when I was 10, I dont really have any questions it is what it is and apart from a little fetling I would,nt chang a thing maybe my 2 grand children will learn to drive in it too
Kind Regards
Dave
Hi Dave.
Strictly via the auction I’m afraid…
The owners before me taught their children to drive in it – admittedly she was half her current age but there would be some amazing synchronicity if she came your way. Especially given your Oz connection ??
Take care,
Sophy
Cheers Sophy I,ll try my best
Stay safe it’s still out there and making people very ill
Regards
Dave
Hi Sophy, super little car! Forgive me if I’ve missed it in the description , I wondered what car the engine came out of, and was it rebuilt prior to fitment? Also I noticed you double declutching, is the synchro weak, looked like second gear? Lastly when was the suspension last pumped up and has it sagged at all since then. Best regards, Jon
Thank you Jon. She IS a great wee car.
It was super cold the morning we took her out which – coupled to not having been driven for a couple of months due to the prevailing weather – meant she was not as warm as she could have been. I was being gentle on the gearbox is all – normally straight through the gates.
Suspension – mmm, I’ve not had anything called out there. The front differs to the rear; at the front, each unit “consists of a pair of swinging arms of unequal length, pivoted at the inner ends to the subframe and attached by ball joints to the swivel hub at their outer ends. The upper suspension arm is pivoted on a pair of tapered roller bearings, whilst the pivot bearing for the lower suspension arm consists of two flanged rubber bushes.” At the rear, each unit “consists of a radius arm mounted at the front on a pivot shaft with two tapered roller bearings, to the rear of the sub-frame.” [The commentary is take from The Complete Morris/Austin Mini Repair Manual from 1968 – Australian Edition].
While not sure that entirely provides clarity, but no, I’ve not specifically had anything called out or issues with the suspension. From my perspective, as driver, whether it was 1999-2004 when she was my main car, or of late when she has been more my fun space, she drives/handles/feels exactly the same ?
The engine that was put in was brand new – not a rebuild nor out of a different mini (the garage in Byfleet changed it for me). Brand spanking 1275 – just not the Cooper version – felt there was no point given it isn’t a Cooper model so just spending for spending sake.
Hope the above helps….
Cheers,
Sophy
Vehicle Location
Exeter
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