Broadspeed GT

Brian Foley was not only a racer but also a garage owner in New South Wales, primarily dealing in used Minis. During a trip to the UK in early 1966, Foley was introduced by fellow driver John Fitzpatrick to Ralph Broad.

While visiting Broad’s Birmingham workshop, Foley encountered the Broadspeed GT and was instantly captivated. Broad was enthusiastic about exporting his cars, and the two quickly agreed that Foley would become the official importer of Broadspeed cars for Australia.

However, back in Australia, Foley’s business partner Laurie Stewart crunched the numbers and concluded that building the cars locally would be more cost-effective than importing them. Ralph Broad agreed to license the design for local production and shipped one car over to Australia so a mould could be made at Foley’s workshop.

Much like the British Broadspeed GT, the Australian version was offered in four variants. The entry-level model, a 2+2, was based on the Australian-built 998 Mini De Luxe. The 2+2 S and the more premium 2+2 Super De Luxe were built on the Cooper S platform and featured enhancements such as a redesigned dashboard, a center console, bucket seats, and improved sound insulation. The fourth and rarest version was the GTS, a lightweight racing model. Prices for the Australian models ranged from $2,930 to $3,390 AUD.

Though visually similar to the UK models, the Australian Broadspeeds featured notable differences. The locally-built cars had wind-up windows with quarter vents in the doors, standard Mini rear lights, and a smaller number plate recess designed to fit Australian plates.

Interior-wise, the base versions stayed close to the original Mini design, while the Super De Luxe offered a far more upscale experience.

Only one GTS model was ever made. It was raced extensively by Laurie Stewart and even set a speed record at Bathurst, reaching 127.8 mph on Conrod Straight. That car was later converted for road use, becoming one of just four authentic Australian Broadspeed GTs.

Unfortunately, the venture didn’t achieve the success that Broad and Foley had envisioned. The sole GTS still survives today, along with the 2+2 Super De Luxe. The locations of the other two cars remain unknown.

In the 1980s, Queensland-based company Roadworks Design offered replica roofs, and a few Broadspeed replicas continue to exist in Australia.