Description
H&H Classic Auction @Pavilion Gardens | Buxton, Derbyshire
27th Nov, 2024 13:00
1970 Austin Mini Clubman
Registration No: KFF 586H
Chassis No: XA25255469A
MOT: Exempt
Owned from new by, formerly, the 'oldest woman in Wales' who lived to 109
Sympathetic restoration carried out c. 5 years ago
The subject of a Mini World magazine feature, May/ June 2024
This automatic Clubman displays c. 41, 300 miles since new
Supplied with original wheels and caps, as well as the "Minilites" fitted
Introduced in October 1969, the Mini Clubman was penned by ex-Ford product planner and stylist Roy Haynes. Intended as a replacement for the Mini-derived Wolseley Hornet and Riley Elf, while the related Estate car was intended to succeed the established Countryman and Traveller. However, a change of plan saw both round and square-nosed Minis produced concurrently, until the Clubman range gave way to the Metro in 1980 and the classic Mini design surviving until 2000. The newcomer boasted better frontal crash protection and improved under-bonnet access and was powered by a 998cc or 1098cc four-cylinder A-series engine. Its suspension system, a fusion of independent front and interconnected hydrolastic rear set-ups, achieved a balance between comfort and handling, emblematic of the industry's drive for enhanced driving dynamics. A more conventional suspension set-up was used on the Mini after 1971.
A very early Clubman Automatic Saloon, this 1970 example is a rare survivor and carries the unique features of the early Clubmans. ‘KFF 586H’ was built 2nd February 1970 and despatched to Autopalace, Llandrindod Wells, before arriving at G. E Evans, a BMC dealer in Snowdonia (correspondence on file). Running on its original 998cc engine it’s fitted with the early AP1 4-speed auto gearbox. It’s also still running with hydrolastic suspension. The Clubman still only displays 41k miles and is standard apart from the Minilite-style wheels (the original steel wheels and hubcaps are included in the sale), a Cooper freeflow manifold, RC40 and alloy inlet.
The original owner, the ‘oldest lady in Wales’ at the time of her passing, bought the car in her mid-60s and then gave the car to her grandson in the late 1980s, when she hung-up her driving gloves. The second owner ran the car happily until 2007, at which point it was tucked away. The third owner carried out much restoration and conservation work (photographic record on file). The car was then the subject of a feature in Mini World, May/ June 2020. A few months later, the vendor purchased the car for his wife. Since then the Clubman has seen little use, being dry stored and not driven for the last 4 years (battery has been maintained on trickle and handbrake has not been applied). Offered with a V5C, invoices, a copy of the factory order form and a Heritage Certificate.
