Butterfield Musketeer

In 1960, while watching Minis race at Brands Hatch, 21-year-old Richard Butterfield had an inspired idea: why not give a Mini a sleek two-seater GT body?

He soon left his horticultural studies behind and founded Butterfield Engineering at his father’s Dovecroft Nursery in Nazeing, Essex.

With help from his friend Francis Manning, he created a 1/8-scale model and a plywood jig for the new design.

Bodywork specialists Williams & Pritchard—who had earlier made an aerodynamic nose for Butterfield’s Triumph TR3—were commissioned to build the Musketeer’s aluminium prototype body. The car was completed just in time for its debut at the January 1962 Racing Car Show.

Butterfield and Manning preserved much of the Mini’s mechanical layout.

“I wanted to keep the original handling and simplicity,” Butterfield said, “because I had limited engineering experience.”

The Mini’s subframes were linked by two longitudinal tubes with welded crossmembers. The front-engine layout remained, but the radiator was moved forward, allowing for a low, sloped nose. The entire front section could tilt forward for easy engine access.

The prototype featured an 850cc engine and topped out at 80 mph. Planned production versions were to be made from fiberglass and offered with an optional 1000cc Cooper engine.

Prices started at £848 for the Musketeer 850 and £892 for the 1000.

The interior was custom-built, with hinged seats allowing access to the rear luggage space, which held the spare tire and tool kit. After the show, the aluminium prototype was disassembled and returned to Williams & Pritchard to make molds for production.

Ultimately, only two fiberglass bodies were produced—one sent to a company in Portsmouth, the other used for a planned twin-engined version that was never completed.

The original aluminium prototype was rebuilt with a Mini Cooper engine and entered into the Peco Trophy race at Brands Hatch on Boxing Day 1962. Mini racing star Christabel Carlisle drove the car, taking on eight Lotus Elites and several faster competitors. Unfortunately, she spun out during the race and did not finish.

Due to limited experience and lack of funds, Richard Butterfield had to shut down his engineering business. The fate of the three Musketeer cars remains unknown.

In 1975, Butterfield moved to the United States, taking his modified Triumph TR3 with him. He still owns it today—though, as he admits, “It is overdue for a major restoration!”