When thinking of commercial vehicles, the BMW brand isn’t necessarily the first marque that comes to mind, and for good reason, the commercial vehicle lineup is rather non-existent, with one quite special exception that is. 

It was late 2012 when the BMW group pencilled in the ideas for the all new Clubvan. The brief was simple, no one was making a light commercial vehicle, that wasn't necessarily “van-esque” in both appearance and dynamic ability, and thus the Clubvan was born. Templated around the pre existing Mini Clubman, the Clubvan took the same aesthetic package, while removing the rear passenger windows and removing the rear seating in favour of a cargo area. 

With Mini having a famous history of small light use commercial vehicles, the Clubvan fit right into the wheelhouse, and was perfect for those in need of a van with a fair bit more uniqueness than the car derived options from Ford or Vauxhall at the time.

First registered in January of 2013, we believe, courtesy of stamps within the original factory service manuals, the car began its life at Cotswold Hereford Mini/BMW dealership, spending some time here before relocating far north to Scotland, then being purchased by the current owner some time in 2018 who intended to use the quirky, rare nature of the Clubvan to advertise their business. 

Under this current ownership, the car has been subject to regular and thorough maintenance and thus we find it in the excellent condition it sits in today. They are now looking to move the Clubvan on to another loving owner.

This fine example benefits from the accompaniment of an extensive history folder, consisting of several prior MOT certificates, including the most recent one, valid until January of 2023. We also find several invoices for general servicing and work performed while under the car’s current ownership by specialist workshop Keylink SAS LTD. There are also multiple invoices for work undertaken during the car’s time in Scotland.

Stored within the car are the original Mini service and operating manuals. The service book benefits from regular stamping from the specialist garages in which work has been done to the car as well as a stamp from the original dealer Cotswold Mini/BMW.

The correct V5 registration document is also present with the car.

Opening the doors and looking up front, the cabin of the Clubvan is rather conventional. Those familiar with this generation of Mini will recognise the stylish fabric upholstery, alongside that iconic central speedometer and radio cluster, all of which is in great condition. 

As to be expected of such a well maintained, low mileage car, the sculpted upholstery seats are of an excellent standard, bearing almost minuscule levels of wear. This quality is mirrored on the black dash piece, the plastic is fresh and free of major markings or cracks, and within it, sit the rounded gauge pieces, all in brilliant order. The round, circular motif continues down into the centre console, which holds a collection of switchgear and a CD player, all of which function well. 

It’s when we get to the rear of the cabin that we get to see why it bears the name Clubvan. As opposed to a rear seating arrangement we find a fully fledged cargo area sectioned off via a caged bulkhead. It’s clear to see from the condition of the neat upholstery within the cargo area of this specific Clubvan that it has undergone very limited use as a van. 

The condition of the incredibly clean, fitted rubber floor tray almost begs the question whether anything substantial has ever been put back there at all. Up top we find a smart black roof liner that carries from the front passenger section right the way back to the rear cargo area, it also, is of a remarkable standard. 

Being a derivative of the Mini Clubman, we find the unusual layout in terms of the doors. Up front the passenger and driver’s doors are relatively ordinary, bearing stylish door cards with sculpted black plastic trim pieces alongside a series of speakers, which, much the same as the rest of the cabin, are in wonderful condition. 

It's when working back that things become slightly more unconventional. As in the regular Mini clubman, we find a rear passenger suicide door, but only on one side of the vehicle, this being rather unusual in itself, yet made more unusual when installed on the Clubvan, as the door in effect leads to the bulkhead cage for the rear cargo area. 

The door does still have the door furniture to match the front passenger doors, which largely due to a lack of use, is in immaculate condition. At the very rear, we find the two hinged doors into the cargo compartment, these open with ease and clean black plastic door cards with built in storage cubbies. 

From the exterior, we find ourselves looking at an excellent piece of retro chic design, finished in a very fitting shade of cream. Complimented perfectly by some satin finish black racing stripes draped across the bonnet, the Clubvan presents beautifully from the outside, the paintwork still has an excellent shine to it, and is in great condition, bearing just a few minor blemishes and general patina, consisting of some minor stone chipping to the bonnet, a small dent on the passenger door and some marking to the rear bumper, however these do not detract from the look of the car, but rather play into its honest originality. 

Rather than rear side windows, the Clubvan sports painted panels, so as to differentiate it from the regular Clubman from the outside. The paint on these is of an equally great standard. The black plastic trim that lines the bottom of the car matches the great quality of the rest of the bodywork, fresh, still rich in colour and free from scuffs and scrapes. 

There is a great handful of chrome trim, dotted around the exterior of the car, providing a great contrast to the cream paintwork, and fully playing into the retro styling intended for the vehicle. The chrome itself still has an exquisite shine to it, however it should be noted that there is a very minor crack at the top of the front grille piece. Up top we find the Clubvan has been fitted with a pair of roof bars, adding into its practicality and usability. 

The car sits on 4 factory 17” alloy wheels, finished in a gloss black, the current owner has had them refurbished so they are in great condition and have a great finish, although there is some light kerb marking to the front passenger wheel. 

Under the bonnet, is an incredibly clean example of the Mini 1.6 diesel engine, mated to a great six speed manual transmission. The 1598cc motor is reported to be a far sturdier evolution of the prior engine used in the mk1 BMW era Mini. 

Being such a regularly maintained example, the engine fires into life with ease, settling into a comfortable idle, a subtle tone produced through the factory exhaust system. On the road, the Clubvan provides the great dynamic drive that comes with a modern mini.

The current owner has had a host of work performed alongside regular servicing, all done by specialist workshop Keylink SAS  LTD, including a replacement air conditioning condenser, new rear brake callipers and pads, as well as replacement front shock absorbers. 

The rear passenger door was also free’d up and unseized (a common fault on the Clubvan as that door is so infrequently used). A new more heavy duty battery designed for the stop start system was also installed. 

Are you an artisan creator of sorts? Someone in need of a light duty van without the generic van styling and performance? In need of some stand out advertising? Perhaps just a lover of the rare and quirky. 

The Clubvan is the ultimate tool to tick all of those boxes and more. Providing an excellent dynamic drive combined with great levels of practicality and the ability to carry whatever may be thrown at it. 

This excellent example benefits from incredibly low mileage, a long MOT and an extensive history of regular servicing. The Clubvan can be jumped in, used and enjoyed with confidence from day one.