1971 Morris Mini Clubman Estate *Sold £4,500*

Description

• One family ownership from new
• Original purchase receipt
• Price Booklet and a selection of documents
• Original Engine and gearbox
• In Blaze Orange

The classic Mini needs no introduction. But by the late ‘60s the Mini had been in production for ten years. In that time, Ford had produced both the Mk1 & 2 Cortinas, the Anglia and the Mk1 Escort. The classic Mini was due an update.

The Mini Clubman story starts in 1967. BMC poached Ford’s Product Planner and Head Stylist, the legendary Roy Haynes. Under the code number AD020 the Mini Clubman began to take shape. It started out as a hatchback. Thank goodness, that idea was binned.

Under the amalgamated BL, the Mini was now a standalone model. The new Mini Clubman Estate was designed to rationalise the Countryman and Traveller models. The Clubman Estate retained the same extended wheelbase as the old-style ‘estates’, the extra length being at the rear.

On the road though, it was a Mini through and through. Impressive handling, beautifully simple and bags of fun.

History

• One family ownership from new
• Purchased from Red House Service Station 1 March 1971
• Original Sales Receipt with the Mini
• Five generations of family runabout

This is sadly now part of a deceased estate and a somewhat reluctant sale, which is quite understandable given the generations of memories. We are not even going to presume we can tell the story of this remarkable Mini Clubman Estate better than the family. Here is what they’ve shared with us.

“The Mini Clubman Estate was brought new by my mother on the 1st March 1971 from The Red House Service Station, Chesterfield, I have the original receipt which will come with the Mini.

It is Blaze Orange in colour and is fitted with 998CC petrol engine.

She used and loved the car until she passed away in 2010. Now with my father having also passed away, I have inherited it from them.

Unfortunately, without the knowledge to maintain and keep it running and no safe place to store it, I find myself, with a heavy heart, having to part with it.

It has always been used and well maintained and over the years and has been enjoyed and loved by 5 generations of our family. Both my parents belonged to the Mini Club and the car took part in the London to Brighton car run – proudly completing it and gaining an article and photo in our local newspaper. It has been stolen and subsequently returned to us and had many other adventures in its lifetime.

The car was running well until my father became ill. He was unable to continue driving it. Although the car was not used, it was kept dry and protected.

We have recently purchased a new battery and have been able to get the engine to turn but not actually start. All the lights and electrics are working as they should. It has not been driven a distance for a while now and as you will appreciate would definitely benefit from a good service and some TLC. The current mileage on the clock is 13,249 miles.”

To add to Sue’s story about this remarkable Mini, we have some poignant words from her late father who left this information about the Mini before he passed:

“I have owned the car since new and it is used most days. The whole car including engine and gear box is original, apart from the items listed below:  

• Electric pump fitted to windscreen washer
• New seam welded sills fitted and all seams and joints in the floor pan sealed. 
• Exhaust system replaced but still original style and spec 
• Front fog lamps fitted 
• Reversing lamps fitted  
• The vast majority of paint work is original apart from touch up of gutters front valance and where sills have been replaced 
• Bracing belts fitted to restrain rear bench type seat as the small bolts fitted are not adequate for safety 
• New set of BMC carpets fitted 
• Seat belts replaced showing signs of wear 
• Preventive rust treatment wax type on inside of panels box sections inside doors etc 
• Tyres steel radials replace cross ply on original rims 
• Brake pipes replaced in copper
• Two additional mirrors fitted to doors for safety as others on front of wings are not adequate in rain 
• Side bottom window track, cloth covered steel that rusts, is replaced by alloy custom made track the same size 
• Running spares using genuine parts as necessary include 
• Brake parts and fluid, belts filters lubricants coolant, bushes, bearings, gaiters, tyres, gaskets and sealants 

My policy is to maintain and replace before failure and consequent damage to adjacent parts. The underbody and subframes cleaned off and painted each year or as necessary.

Front seats changed for 2 new BMC mini seats as foam interior of originals had perished to powder. I think this is a comprehensive list if my memory does not fail me “

Our view

A remarkable find. We all know, having been effectively with one owner since new, speaks volumes about the integrity of a classic. The description of maintenance and care of the Mini provided by Sue’s dad speaks for itself

You can see from the Image Gallery, this Mini Clubman Estate has its imperfections. These are numerous and typical of a classic car of this age, and this example has been well kept, well looked after and is near original. In our honest view the current condition just adds to the car.

It is virtually impossible to find one with this level of ownership, originality and uniqueness. We’d get it running again, drive it and enjoy it exactly as it is.

Happy Bidding! Please remember, our site uses anti-sniping software which ensures fairness to all bidders. So, if a bid for a lot is received in the last minute, the auction will go into a 2-minute overtime period for each subsequent bid.

Vehicle Location: Nottingham NG2 – it’s the responsibility of the buyer to make collection / transportation arrangements directly with the vendor.

Have a question about this Mini Clubman Estate? Please contact the Evoke team at auction@evoke-classics.com and we will speak to the vendor on your behalf.

Guide Prices?

We’re different. But you know that. And we’re always honest. In a sector where no two classics are same, how does anyone put a ‘guide’.

Well, everyone knows the broad value of classic, let’s all be honest. So we don’t need to tell you what you already know, do we.

The ‘market’ decides and the old cliché that ‘it’s worth what someone wants to pay’ is no less true. So why kid everyone!

But, because we are different, if it really does matter to you, that’s fine, we want you to be happy. Just drop us a line at auction@evoke-classics.com and one of us will be delighted to ring you back and discuss, it’s what we do.

Tedious but it’s vital you read this, please.

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