1972 Morris Mini Clubman Estate Auto *Sold £6,250*

Description

• Two long term owners
• 998cc
• Four speed automatic
• Only 9,000 miles since 2006

The original classic Mini. If you were in the know, you knew. The rest of us looked on slack jawed as the brilliance of Issigonis’ design took off and became a legend.

Background

The upgrade to Clubman was a big moment for Mini. While the Mini was still the leader, British Leyland wanted to keep things fresh as the 70s loomed. They poached Ford designer Roy Haynes to do that, and the Clubman arrived.

• First registered 27 October 1972
• Only two former keepers prior to our vendor
• We understand their ownership was 25 & 26 years respectively
• Our vendor has owned this Mini since 19 April 2023
• Chassis number XA2W2803847A
• Engine number 99H313EH3685

Outside

It is often a good sign when a classic car has been in long term ownership. The images in the Gallery speak for themselves.

• Glacier White
• The faux wood trim is in good condition
• Two chrome wing mirrors
• The brightwork, including the bumpers, looks good
• Quarter bumpers at the rear
• Original hub caps
• Sliding rear quarter windows

The outside does of course have the odd slight imperfections as is to be expected. It retains many period features such as the twin reverse lights and those smashing rear barn doors look to have survived very well.

Inside

The character and charm continue. The images in the Gallery project an interior that surprisingly lasted very well indeed.

• The black vinyl square hatched seats are all in good condition
• The matching door cards are equally good
• Original steering wheel and centre push
• The classic rectangular instrument binnacle houses two clocks
• Blue carpets

The supremely practical rear load area will carry all sorts, from your shopping to your suitcases, through to your fishing gear. What a hoot it would be to bomb about in this practical everyday classic. And finally, we love how original detail has been maintained – items such as the ‘garden gate’ retaining the rear seat. Brilliant, just brilliant.

Mechanicals

We all know how solid the mechanicals are.

An example of that is exemplified in this Mini Clubman. The MOT records show in 2006 this Mini had a recorded mileage of 44,024. Fast forward to its last MOT in 2023 it shows 53,077. That minimal but regular use is great for a classic, but not in itself remarkable.

What is remarkable, is in all that time the only MOT item it failed on was the rear brakes needing adjustment for ‘poor efficiency’. Lack of use probably.

The engine is the 998cc A-series mated to a four-speed auto. If you listen to the pub bore, he or she will tell you the automatic Minis are best avoided. Ignore that and them.

Here is an extract from an independent road test.

“Once you come to a village and slow down, so does the gearbox, the revs dropping as it shifts almost immediately to fourth and it’s perfectly happy in traffic. I’ve driven ten-year-old automatics that don’t shift as smoothly as the four-speed unit in this Clubman. If you live and (still) commute in town, you could easily daily drive an automatic Mini and when you got up for a Sunday drive, you wouldn’t be left wanting for a manual”. 

Those who know, these Minis are very rare now and delightful to drive.

Summary

Not just a survivor but a thriver. It is rare to see a Clubman estate these days and rarer still to find one with this kind of ownership. That alone speaks volumes.

Easy to own. Easy to live with. Impossible not to love. Who knew what great cars Minis were going to be? Now they make perfect classics, in estate form they are fabulously practical too. If you were in the know, you knew.