Mods and Consequences

The Mini Clubman and 1275 GT might have looked more modern than the original, but many considered them a backward step. We show you how to turn them into proper road-rockets

Square-nose Minis

’K-series engine swaps are popular due to the Rover connection’

Let’s face it, Roy Haynes’ redesigned Mini achieved just two things: it gave the Mini a fashionable new face; and made it possible for BL to ditch its royalty agreements with Cooper. Performance-wise, the new Minis looked sluggish compared to the lighter cars they replaced, which is why modifying them looks so attractive today.

Adding power is normally the modder’s first port of call when it comes to making up for that extra weight – the chassis can easily handle it. Tuning the A-series is a well-trodden route and there’s a lot you can do to get extra power out of it relatively easily, but ‘square noses’ are also readily associated with even more drastic power hikes.

One of the advantages of that squared-off front is the extra room it creates under the bonnet, which can be the difference between an engine swap working or not.

K-series swaps are popular due to the Rover connection, but most major manufacturers’ four cylinder engines have made their way into ‘clubbies’ over the years. You won’t need a flip-front like you probably would with a ‘roundnose’, and there are lots of guides to follow with the more popular choices. That said, it’s still a lot of work and will drastically reduce the value of the car.

Whatever your path, one issue will be stopping your creation, as the Clubman’s ten-inch wheels will only fit expensive Cooper/1275 GT discs and the standard drums certainly won’t be up to the task.

If you’re not massively hung up on absolute originality, then you could consider swapping to 12-inch wheels, at which point the options open up considerably.

If there’s a downside to this upgrade, it’s that the smaller sidewalls will further compromise the Mini’s already marginal ride quality.