Rare variant
The story goes that Australia was the only market to build Mini Clubman vans. In any case, this body is now an uncommon sight.
Almost anyone who gets behind the wheel of an original Mini (as distinct from the modern BMW versions) is genuinely surprised by how much fun they are.
Typically the inline four-cylinder engine (anything from 850 to 1275cc) provided relatively modest performance, but the compact chassis and remarkably nimble handling more than made up for any perceived deficit in that area.
As Cliff Chambers points out in his feature on the Clubman series: “Handling is the trait that makes a Mini worth owning. With just 2.3 turns lock-to-lock and ignoring that the oversized, factory stock steering wheel might be a bit cumbersome, these nimble cars can be flicked through tight bends with minimal effort.”
This example is a 1978 model and is therefore a late local build. It gives every sign of having a fair bit of time and money spent on it. Available in Melbourne through Motorvation Garage, it’s on the market at $19,888.