LEYLAND MINI CLUBMAN

WITH THE INITIAL IMPACT OF THE ORIGINAL MINI 'BRICK' LOST IN TIME THE CLUBMAN JUST KEPT CALM AND CARRIED ON THROUGH THE 70S

Australia’s infatuation with the Mini began in 1961 and lasted for almost 20 years. During the 1970s Australia built its own versions of the reshaped Mini Clubman and plenty remain available.

The square-edged nose provided extra underbonnet workspace and improved engine cooling. The Clubman was sold here as a sedan and also a useful panel van.

Leading Leyland’s local Clubman range, albeit briefly, was the 1275cc GT. As successor to the highly-regarded Cooper S, the GT provided a more comfortable and stylish interior but was heavier than a Mark 2 Cooper and slightly slower.

Sales were slow as well and in 1973 the GT was replaced by an ‘S’ version of the basic 1.1-litre model. Clubman S buyers would enjoy improved seat trim, uprated instrumentation and radial-ply tyres as standard.

Ditched in conjunction with the GT was the Hydrolastic suspension system used since 1962 on a variety of BMC models. Liable to leaks and component failure, Hydrolastic’s demise was mourned by very few Mini owners who welcomed a return to designer Issigonis’ preference for rubber cone suspension.

Financial troubles associated with the failed P76 project brought further downgrading. When Leyland’s huge Zetland plant was sold and production moved, the 1.1-litre engine was replaced by a 29kW, 1.0-litre unit. Disc brakes previously fitted to ‘S’ versions were replaced by all-wheel drums.

With the design heading for its 20th anniversary and Leyland in Britain committed to a new Metro model, the Clubman was ready for its swansong. After building 500 metallic blue SS cars with

1.0-litre engines during 1977, Leyland gave the model a fitting farewell in the form of an Australia-only 1275LS.

Built in gold or silver metallic colours during late 1978, the LS had 12 inch diameter wheels and a 34-litre fuel tank.

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.

Clubman values have climbed significantly during the past decade. In good condition, a 1.1-litre ‘S’ should cost $10,000-12,000 while top-quality cars have seen double those amounts.

LS1275 survivors have sometimes been modified but there are also neglected cars due to unavailable parts and high restoration costs. Very good cars achieve $20,000.