Simon Cars - Mini Clubman - the Mini with a big bonnet

Roy Haynes joined BMC after he's completed the Ford Cortina MkII, and created the Mini Clubman as an 'upmarket' Mini to replace the big-booted Elf and Hornet. Only the new front end was approved, and the Haynes extended rear with hatchback got left on the drawing table. Launched in October 1969 at the same time as the MkIII Minis, the Clubmans were given the same trim as the previous Super Deluxe, and had the 998cc engine as standard. The 1275GT was also launched in October 1969, not strictly as a 'Clubman' but using the same body. Replacing the Mini Cooper, though not the Cooper S which continued for 2years, the 1275 GT was not as powerful as the Cooper. Run flat Denovo Dunlop tyres received their world debut on the Mini 1275GT, but the 1275GT gave way to the Austin Metro in 1980. Clubman models were revamped in 1975 acquiring the 1098cc engine, and in 1976 a new grille and painted side stripes on the Clubman Estate. The Clubmans stopped production in 1980 as the Metro was launched, but the Estate continued to be sold as the Mini HL Estate until 1982.

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Mini Clubman 1980. Boot badge of the later 1975plus Clubmans.	Mini HL Estate - the Leyland grille badge worn from 1980-82	Mini Clubman Estate 1972. In 1975 the grille was changed for a 'cross' effect one, and then simplified for the Mini HL in 1980.	Mini Clubman. A big bonnet for an upmarket Mini.	Mini Clubman 1980. This 'MkII' Clubman shows the grille restyle given in 1975.	Mini HL Estate
Mini 1275GT was introduced as part of the new Clubman range intended to replace the more expensive Mini models such as the Elf, Hornet and Cooper. The 1275 GT only got 59bhp, single carb engine and the Cooper actually continued.	Mini 1275 GT was an early creation of the new British Leyland conglomerate, and an attempt to rationalise the model line up and also to make them more profitable.	Mini 1275 GT. The 1275 GT took the place of the Cooper S, although it only had a single carb 59bhp engine.	Mini 1275 GT. Introduced to replace the Hornet and Elf models, the 1275 GT was the fastest of the Clubmans - but no Cooper S. The Clubman models ran from 1969 to 1980.	Mini Clubman Estate 1972. The wood effect side bars refer back to the wood finished Mini Traveller.	Mini Clubman Estate 1972. The Clubman was launched with 998cc engine, and the Estate gained wood effect trim
Mini Clubmans were introduced in 1969 restyled by Harris Mann and Roy Haynes who had been poached from Ford in 1967. Mechanically the Mini Clubman was the same as the Mini 1000.	Mini Clubman 1980. The 'cross' form grille was given to the Mini Clubman in 1975 at the same time as a 1098cc engine.	Mini Clubmans were a restyle by Harris Mann and Roy Haynes and were originally intended to have a new hatchback rear, but production cars contined the Issigonis booted back.	Mini Clubman 1980. Now with reversing lights built into the rear lamp clusters.	Mini HL Estate. A revised grille was given to the Estate as it lost is 'Clubman' name in 1980, and had its 1098cc engine reduced to 998cc to be sold as the 'HL Estate until 1982.	Mini HL Estate. Painted sidestripes were given to the Clubman Estate in 1975, the Clubman name changed to 'Mini HL' from 1980-82.
Mini 1275 GT - rear lamp.	Mini Clubman 1980. Now with reversing lights built into the rear lamp clusters.	Mini 1275 GT. The longer bonnet of the Clubman body is evident here. This new bonnet gave the Clubman worse aerodynamivs than the Mini.	Mini Clubman Estate 1972. Applique 'wood' side stripes were worn by the Clubman until 1975.	Mini HL Estate. From 1980-82 Clubman Estates were sold as 'Mini HL' estates	Mini Clubman. Although the Clubman took over from the Elf and Hornet, it did not inherit their larger boots, even though the Roy Haynes design included a much enlarged rear with hatchback.
Mini Clubman 1980.	Mini Clubman 1980 - front wheel	Mini HL Estate - rear wheel. The Clubman had 10inch wheels, but the 1275GT gained 12inch Dunlop Denovo wheels and tyres which permitted larger disc brakes.	Mini Estate cars	Mini Countryman and Traveller	Austin and Morris 5cwt (Mini) Van and Pickup
Riley Elf (ADO 15)	BMC Mini