Mini Clubman (1973) – In the Wild

This century, the modern Mini dusted off the name Clubman for the station wagon version of the Mini. Traditionally, however, that name was not directly related to larger versions of the Mini; after all, they were called (Austin) Mini Countryman or (Morris) Mini Traveler. The Mini Clubman was something different, namely a regular Mini with a more modern front. There was also a more spacious variant, called Mini Clubman Estate. Are we still following it?

Thanks to AutoWeek forum member ‘D oh’ we have a Mini Clubman in front of us, so just a two-door Mini with the striking, then more contemporary nose on it. At the end of the 1960s, manufacturer Austin thought it was time for an upgrade for the Mini, with this as a result. The slightly higher marketed Mini Clubman looked strikingly different from its more classically styled, simply called Mini brother (which remained available alongside it) and was also a bit longer. That extra length, about ten centimeters, was purely due to the longer nose. So you also had a little more space there. Handy for tinkering with the slightly larger 1.1 that later became available in the Clubman in addition to the well-known 1.0, but certainly for maintenance on the 1.3 already known from the Cooper S. Such a Clubman was (and is) also a handy basis for those who want to give a Mini a little more spice.

Mini Clubman

According to the license plate details, this wonderfully typically colored Mini Clubman from 1973 has the well-known 1.0 (998 cc) that was available in the Mini from the Mk1 onwards. A block that delivers 39 hp in this Clubman and has been bringing forward a new owner for a few months with that modest power. That person took over the Clubman from someone who remained loyal to it for about ten years and apparently took good care of it, because the little Brit looks beautiful. Even though you may not like this nose as much as the original.