1977 Leyland Australia Mini Clubman S

At first glance this is just a Mini Clubman but look closer and you will see a myriad of differences and apparently non-standard features. This car was manufactured by Leyland Australia and is a Mini Clubman S. These Minis are now rare in Australia and even rarer in the UK. It is a real collector’s vehicle but has the same appeal and is just as practical as its UK cousins.
There are too many differences to list them all but some of the more obvious are:
• External door hinges as used on Mk1 and Mk2 Mini saloons in the UK.
• Wind up door windows with quarterlights
• Rear side windows with ‘piano hinges’
• Mk1 rear panel with Mk2 rear lights
• Firstan wheels which were also fitted to the Innocenti Minis.
• Internal trim, seats and upholstery.
Its current condition can be seen from the photos. It would be untrue to say that it has never been welded but as far as I can see, it has not been restored and has the original floorpan, inner sills, boot floor, front wings, etc. The outer sills have been replaced but they are tidy and rust free. The bonnet was replaced due to corrosion and the rear valance was replaced at the end of 2022. The interior is in good condition, with no rips or marks, as you would expect for a vehicle having only covered this mileage.
As regards accident damage, I can find no evidence of significant damage or repairs but there are records showing repairs to the rear panel when it rolled backwards into a wall when the previous owner left the car without engaging the handbrake! Also the front nearside wing has undergone minor repairs.
Mechanically it is in excellent condition with the gearbox having been fully rebuilt in February 2023. 7. 5 inch (Cooper S) disc brakes have been fitted to replace the original twin leading shoe drum brakes. The 1098cc engine runs sweetly and does not smoke, burn oil or overheat. I have no reason to believe that it is modified but it drives well with plenty of torque which is the bonus of the 1098cc engine. This Mini was first registered in Australia in 1977 and lived there until 2012 when it was brought to England by its previous owner who purchased it in 2008 with an odometer reading of 43, 463 km. I purchased it in May 2019 with an odometer reading of 68, 420 km. The speedo was replaced with an imperial unit in 2020 (original odometer reading 69, 040 km (42, 900 miles) replacement odometer reading 60, 248 miles). The current reading is 62, 933 miles. Whilst I cannot guarantee that the speedo had not been changed prior to 2008 I have no reason to believe it had and I have full records (MOT certificates, etc.) from 2008 to date. I believe but cannot prove, that the total mileage covered by this Mini is less than 50, 000.
Whilst this Mini is not unique I think you would have to go a long way to find one in better condition and fundamentally un-modified and as it left the factory, on the other side of the world, 48 years ago. Although not requiring an MOT it has been regularly tested since 2008, both in Australia and the UK. There is a large history file which includes Australian versions of the Workshop Manual and Parts List and the original Owners Instruction Manual.