1973 Austin Mini Clubman
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Highlights
- Very original inside and out
- Only 4 owners since 1973
- Uprated performance with a 1098cc engine
The Appeal
Introduced in 1969, the Clubman range represented a facelift to the Mini which had remained largely unchanged since its release ten years earlier.
As well as the redesigned front end, the Clubman was offered as an estate variant, which is what we have here.
As well as the redesigned front end, the Clubman was offered as an estate variant, which is what we have here.
This charming estate is presented in great condition and features a 1098cc engine which replaces the original 39 horsepower 998cc unit.
Having been well attended to over the years and driven quite sparingly, this Mini must be amongst the best surviving Clubmans around, retaining the majority of what would appear to be its original paintwork and much of its original interior.
Having been well attended to over the years and driven quite sparingly, this Mini must be amongst the best surviving Clubmans around, retaining the majority of what would appear to be its original paintwork and much of its original interior.
The History and Paperwork
- 4 owners from new
- Hand-written ‘Vehicle Diary’ providing intricate detail of servicing and improvements carried out over the years
- File containing invoices and previous MOT certificates dating back to 1986, (18,000 miles)
- Original British Leyland ‘Passport to Service’
- Now MOT and road tax exempt, the last MOT showing no advisories
- Engine swapped during the vendor’s 3 year ownership
- Service history suggests that the mileage is genuine and the car remains very original
- Both sills were replaced in c.1986 and the rear subframe was replaced c.1990
The Interior
- Largely original Harvest Yellow interior
- Only the carpets have been replaced
- Light patination
The vendor informs us that with the exception of the carpeting, the interior of this Mini is believed to be entirely original. The vinyl seats wear a delightful level of light patination, with a little crazing but no splits or significant sagging anywhere to be seen.
The new carpets are high quality items with tan binding and are reportedly in excellent condition. The vendor reports that under the carpeting, the floor pans retain their original Teal Blue paint and are in excellent order.
The Clubman’s dashboard is spartan by the standards of most cars but quite plush for a Mini, featuring instrument binnacles in front of the driver and vinyl trim, all of which are in very sound order.
The door cards look really fine, as do the sun visors and the headlining, which the vendor informs us is clean and well supported. The interior mirror is clear and in good condition, as are the remaining fixtures and fittings such as the door handles, steering wheel and gear lever.
The door cards look really fine, as do the sun visors and the headlining, which the vendor informs us is clean and well supported. The interior mirror is clear and in good condition, as are the remaining fixtures and fittings such as the door handles, steering wheel and gear lever.
There are a few scuffs on the back of the rear seats, most likely caused while they have been folded down to increase the rear load area. The boot itself is in remarkable condition with the toolkit and spare wheel present.
We are informed that everything functions exactly as it should, including all the electrical items.
The Exterior
- Mostly original Teal Blue paint
- Wood effect waistline in good condition
- Original chrome work
On the outside, this Mini is in very good condition and the vendor believes the majority of the Teal Blue paintwork to be original.
There are very small paint touch ups of stone chips mainly to the front of the vehicle and a couple of very small paint bubbles on the lower rear offside door.
The sills were replaced in around 1990 and the service history would suggest that a wing was replaced in the late ‘80s due to some corrosion issues. The sills remain in very good order, as does the remainder of the bodywork. We understand that a very small section of the front floor was repaired professionally as well.
The sills were replaced in around 1990 and the service history would suggest that a wing was replaced in the late ‘80s due to some corrosion issues. The sills remain in very good order, as does the remainder of the bodywork. We understand that a very small section of the front floor was repaired professionally as well.
There appears a slight blemish on the lower rear offside door pillar at the point where it meets the leading edge of the rear bumper.. The vendor also perceives that the blue paint on the bonnet is a slightly different shade to that of the rest of the car, although this is only discernible in certain light. The Clubman radiator grille has its original matt black colour with British Leyland motif surviving and in good shape.
The exterior door handles retain an excellent finish to the chrome and the vendor informs us that there isn’t so much as a trace of pitting.
The front bumper is in good order and has overriders. Although it is structurally sound, the chrome on the rear bumper looks tired, but is still quite presentable. There are slight ripples in both bumpers, likely caused by small parking accidents over the years.
Harking back to the Mini Travellers, the Clubman estate features a wood effect set between stainless steel trims which run around the waistline of the car and on the rear. This is in remarkable condition when you consider this car’s age and the trims are also in good order. The driver’s exterior door mirror is in good condition although the glass itself has deteriorated somewhat. The vendor informs us that there should be an Austin badge on the lower portions of the left hand rear door which has clearly parted company at some point.
The stainless steel hubcaps are in very good condition, as are the wheels and tyres which the vendor tells us have ample tread remaining.
The Mechanics
- 1098cc A Series engine
- Starts, runs and drives very well
During the vendor’s ownership, the 998cc engine was replaced with a ‘moderately tuned’ 1098cc example which affords this Mini with a little more performance than standard.
We are informed that this Mini accelerates really well, even up steep gradients and gear changes are crisp, suggesting the synchromesh is in very good order.
There is a little smoke on start up, which the vendor believes to be caused by worn rubber seals on the cylinder valve guides. We understand that these will be replaced before the car is collected by its next owner. Once warm, this is no longer an issue and there are no untoward noises or eccentricities to note when driving down the road.
Summary
An interesting lesser-known variant of the classic Mini, this Clubman estate benefits from sympathetically uprated mechanicals and retains a number of its original features and all of its period charm.
As an estate, it boasts more versatility than a conventional Mini, while still benefiting from all the front-wheel drive, precise handling the marque has long been renowned for.
Notice to bidders
All items in this listing are sold on an “As Is - Where Is” basis. Photos and listing descriptions should be used as a guide only. Although every effort has been made to verify the accuracy of the information in this listing and Car & Classic performs a level of due diligence prior to the auction, we do not warrant the accuracy of the listings. The seller assumes all responsibility for this listing. Inspection is highly recommended prior to bidding. Viewings are at the seller’s discretion.
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Vehicle specification
- Year 1973
- Make Austin
- Model Mini Clubman
- Colour Blue
- Odometer 63,276 Miles
- Engine size 1098
Auction Details
- Seller Type Private
- Town Dover
- Location Kent
- Country United Kingdom
11
bids
from 6
bidders
- br•••• £7,200 13/09/22
- Br•••• £7,000 13/09/22
- br•••• £6,800 13/09/22
- Do•••• £6,600 13/09/22
- br•••• £6,200 12/09/22
- Br•••• £6,000 12/09/22
- br•••• £5,200 11/09/22
- Br•••• £5,000 11/09/22
- Pu•••• £2,700 09/09/22
- xl•••• £2,600 07/09/22
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