1970s Mini Clubman Estate - the coolest small 70s British classic?

[@pit_stop77]

I liked the look of the clubman, unfortunately I'm old enough to remember them when new

[@idriveaclassic]

Wish I was old enough to remember them being really affordable 😭

[@brusselssprouts560]

Me too, but they never look tired, just like the original mini.

[@daweigo6851]

😅😅😅

[@calummacpherson7444]

I’ve had my Clubman saloon since 1992, hope to get it finished and out and about next year. Great video, thank you

[@josvandencamp8441]

I know the feeling. I'm 70 and I love cars from the 60's and 70's.

[@bodegg2]

In 1987, as a 17 year old learner driver, I bought my first car which was a 1979 clubman estate in green. It was much derided by my hot hatch driving peers, but the 1098 surprised a few of them off the lights! I didn't mind the 'bus' steering wheel, and the indicator stalk being on the right meant you didn't have to let go of the gear stick whilst banging it around corners! You could also fit a good amount of fishing gear and guitar equipment in the back too! I did a lot of work on mine, brake lines, starter motor, petrol tank, and rear sub frame change, thankfully rubber cone suspension fitted! Plugs and points every winter, new battery perhaps. Simpler times. Wasn't quite the chick magnet like the boy racer machines sadly, but I'd saved up and it was all mine.

[@kaitlyn__L]

Sounds awesome tbh. But then I also tend to have a personal bias for the ability to transport my musical instruments.

[@grayfool]

Firstly, I am a Mini fanatic. I've owned five including a Clubman Estate. Great cars. If you haven't driven a proper Mini then you really need to. The only serious issue I had with my Estate was caused by an idiot tyre fitter. I had a pair of new tyres fitted to the front. Next day sees me and a friend whizzing aling the A12 to Chelmsford when one of the front tyres comes off the rim! Yes, we both needed to go and change our underware. Overtaking a lorry doing about 65MPH when a front tyre instantly deflates is not an experience I wish to repeat. We managed to survive and chnage the tyre to complete our journey. The following morning I went to have a few words with the tyre fitter concerned. Needles to say he saw the error of his ways and fitted another tyre, correctly this time.

[@robertngreen6]

What an absolutely wonderful example. It's a survivor and wears its years so well!

[@Hobotraveler82]

A Clubman. Gotta watch. Favorite version of mine. Love Minis. So cool to see. 😊

[@paulg01]

“My” first car (in that my Dad bought it as a second car for me to drive). It was a year or so later than this one and had the decal stripe not the wood effect. Someone had also installed a dashboard over the shelf so the radio was mounted in a more central place above the heater controls. I loved it. Loved that I could get my cello into it by folding the back seats and loved how I could fling it around corners as though it were on rails.

[@asa1973100]

Had an automatic one Stephanie , fantastic little car .

[@Rjhs001]

Hi Steph. The Clubman name wasn't only for the estate. I'm pretty sure there was many a Clubman saloon back in the day. Great outfit, as usual.

[@simonhodgetts6530]

Yes, the Clubman referred to the squarer front end, not the estate variant.

[@john1v6]

Not forgetting the similarly square-fronted 1275GT of course.

[@rustino666]

My first car was '74 Clubman Saloon with a manual gearbox and 998cc engine. I still miss it!

[@succulent951]

​@@john1v6 mentioned in the video

[@rocketsock4297]

Amazing outfit again! 100% matched the clubman. I always liked the boxy clubmans.

[@DanLTjoe]

Ah brilliant! 🥰 My dad had a black Mini Clubman back in the early 90’s but it had a 1275cc engine fitted into it by the previous owner to replace the 1098cc engine, dad told me one morning it was so cold the water pump was a bit seized so he used an electric fan heater to warm it up/free it off😂 He loved that Mini, sadly met its fate when a Transit rear ended it and wrote it off.

[@JeremyEdwards996]

My parent's first car was a 1967 Mini Traveller in white with a red vinyl interior - MVO754E. As a small boy in shorts, my main memory is sticking to the seats in hot weather. My mother had Minis later, in 1984 she bought a Mini City E in Clove Brown, which was passed around the family. I was never fond of the Clubman, but they are slightly easier to work on.

[@danieleregoli812]

Clubman Estates are starting to go for crazy prices here. They were popular especially in the *higher up* middle class in the '80s, and have a big following even now

[@idriveaclassic]

They really do

[@2ndbaritone]

I missed that one. Again, your sense of right outfit baffles me. Respect!

[@Antonymorris1.6]

My auntie used have old minis every year when she was a district nurse

[@tboneisgaming]

I came across your channel from the Jaguar XJS review. You have such a passion for cars which shines through. I'm exactly the same. My late father worked for Austin Rover for 38 years. His first car was a mini clubman in the same colour and similar age. I have childhood memories of being bundled in the back in my pyjamas as my parents set off to the seaside on holiday. It's incredible to find a one owner example. It will be wonderful to see it restored.

[@Koulis_]

This was our family car in the 70s, a navy blue Clubman Estate Automatic. The rear seats were good to sit in as a child because it had an elevated position so the view out was great.

[@MemesAndVehiclesYT]

Love the mini! My grandfather had one, love the front end design! My grandfather now owns a 1938 Hotchkiss 686GS which he is displaying at a show on sat 7th September in oakridge, Cirencester. There will be lots of minors, and other great classics. It’s well worth a visit! Keep up the great work Steph!

[@mdshonkkc]

Great survivor. I love the wood trim. Looking forward to the updates.

[@michael5089]

Thank you so much for this. Mum had a C reg 1966(?) traveller in white which I just about remember. Then she had 2 Clubman Estates bought 2nd hand in the mid to late 70s/ early 80s. She loved them and seeing yours really has hit me nostalgia wise. Then from 1983 she only had Fiat Pandas!! Thank you again.❤❤

[@ibs5080]

My very dear mum who very sadly passed away on July 3rd has owned a white 1978 Mini Clubman saloon from new, currently with 84,000 miles on it. I have now taken over ownership and would never ever part with it. I've been out all day (including at a car show) but looking forward to seeing this video, as it holds a very dear and special interest for me.

[@peterriggall8409]

A lovely connection to your Mum each time you go for that special drive.

[@g-man8705]

My condolences. Lovely that you have her car now.

[@ibs5080]

@@peterriggall8409 Thank You very much for your comments. Sadly mum passed away due to a stair fall at home and subsequent discovery of two brain bleeds weeks later. Profile photo is of me and her around two years ago.

[@ibs5080]

@@g-man8705 Indeed it is lovely I have her Clubman, though of course I'd much rather she's still around. Profile photo is of me s d her about two years ago

[@MrBallynally2]

My dad had one in the 1970s so i know how you feel. I still ( only) have a picture of it. Fond memories especially about the buzzy sound they made. The estate form made them almost cool. Not quite a proud 8 year old when my dad dropped me off in public. I still remember the moss growing at the window edges and the holes in the floor. My dad and ( much) older brother fixed a lot w polyester. Can paints were hard to come by so not quite matching straight paint was applied w ' interesting' results..

[@HouseflyUK]

My first car was a Mini Clubman saloon from 1971 - I went pretty much everywhere in that car and I shed a tear or two when I had to let it go!

[@christopher2cv]

What a beautiful car! My Nan had two Clubman Estates 🥰 She kept a comb in the second one to keep the choke out. And it was only a couple of years old 🤣 I really like your videos Steph. You make me fall in love with cars I’ve never been interested in ❤

[@chrisford4009]

My perfect min,i love that frontend and in estate form, I would love to own it cheers Stef made my Sunday with this one👍.

[@idriveaclassic]

Aw my pleasure darling xx

[@Chris-cp7ys]

I remember a school friend of mine, her mum first had a Ford Anglia then a mini clubman (both blue) around 1977, remember going in both in the 70s. This video brought back so many memories. Absolutely love your videos, really interesting on your 60s clothing one, you should definitely do more of those ❤

[@cambridgemart2075]

My grandmother owned many Minis, the last being a 1975 Mini Clubman Traveller which she drove all over the UK. I can still remember the reg no.!

[@zebedep]

It's in wonderful, original condition! I haven't seen one like this since the 90s.

[@briancrawley8440]

My first car was a Tahiti Blue Mini Clubman saloon 1098cc. 1977. Loved it, had the 1275GT instrument panel added which gave you a rev counter. Bought it brand new and sold it with 45,000 miles on it. Drove it mainly between Germany and England, several times.

[@idriveaclassic]

Tahiti is such a jolly colour!

[@briancrawley8440]

@@idriveaclassic I loved it, a beautiful rich blue. I had actually ordered a Mini 1000, but for some reason they offered the Clubman at the same price due to supply issues.

[@David77646]

It is such a classic . Mini's were once a common sight along with British cars in general in New Zealand where I am from .So sad those days are long gone

[@pauldeacy9989]

It's years since I've been in a mini but that camera position brought it all back. The camera highlights how big everything on the road looks from inside a mini and how small the windscreen is compared to modern ones. Great vid!

[@paddingtonfire]

My folks had an orange one when I was growing up - RYX204L - such a cool car, and your outfit colours match really well!

[@misterthegeoff9767]

I love the interior, my 1982 Mini HL had the same interior, just with a gear knob and steering wheel from the Metro. And if you think the ashtray would lead to a bad experience when smoking, when I was in 6th form I gave my mates a lift and they lit up a joint in the back, that's an experience I never want to repeat!

[@chrispenn715]

Thanks Steph - would be great if you could do a follow up v ideo after the car's been refreshed too?

[@idriveaclassic]

Of course! It may take a good while but we will. We’re off back to visit the crash damaged Riley Kestrel this month!

[@davidking9707]

My grandparents had a Clubman Estate in Russet Brown new in 1978. It was a lovely little thing.

[@gazonatrike7005]

(unsurprisingly) I had one (£130), the front had been 'deseemed' it leaked like a sieve and the rear end around the subframe mounts rotted away. Loved it. It's a pity they didn't fit a front radiator and electric fan with the added space as in the allegro that would have lifted it above the 'mini' just a bit more.

[@Phiyedough]

Yes, that would still be a useful mod.

[@anthonystevens8683]

Nice one Steph. I actually owned an R plate Clubman Estate back in the 80's following a Mini 1000 that was well past it's best. My car was an olive greenish colour with the faux wood panels like this one. Mine also had the longer stroke 1098cc engine that can be identified with the 10H prefix to the engine number. I love that car and you are right the handling definitely was improved over the tired predecessor that I had. Later models had the 12" wheels that allegedly made them even better. If I recall correctly you used to unlock it with a couple of old gate type latches that worked perfectly as they were so simple. Many thanks for sharing.

[@TheFlyingdeuces]

Thanks!

[@idriveaclassic]

Awww thank you!!!! That’s a set of spark plugs right there 😘😘

[@beedalbahgraham2981]

Great episode, thank you. I have an Aussie ‘77 Clubman which zips around quite well and is very comfy on long trips to the pub 😁

[@brianwillis9673]

In the early 80s I was driving a 1967 Wolseley Hornet Mk 3 and a friend of mine had a 1972 Clubman estate. The cars were as different as chalk and cheese and I was quite envious. By the way, cars had ashtrays so that people didn't lob their cigarettes out of the window still burning as they do now.

[@ianbower7756]

Loved this video. You were in Halifax driving through Skircoat Green, where I was born and raised. The red traffic light was just outside All Saints Primary School which I attended. So many memories. Thank you.

[@alansimpson835]

What a lovely Mini and what a great find from the same family since new. I never liked the Clubman front as a kid but it has really grown on me.

[@iantoller1607]

My first car was a Clubman Estate. Same colour as well, only mine was earlier, on P plate, with only one stalk. Loved it all the same.

[@dmousetenmosiman]

You inspired me to buy a 1973 VW Super Beetle. It is the best little bean. I’m currently revamping the body. The right floor pan is shot and the tires are cracked.

[@jovice9867]

Gorgeous original car. Looks like it has the right new owner to take it forward too.

[@nlpnt]

Along with the Ford Pinto and AMC Pacer, the Mini Clubman's one of those cars where the wagon carried off the extended/squared-up later style front better than the other body styles did.

[@mattw8332]

One of my earliest memories of the Mini Clubman Estate is my late mum's friend owning a white one in the late 1970s - early 1980s. I recall it being replaced with a white Metro which was probably brand new. Always preferred the Clubman models to the conventional Minis but unfortunately never got to own one. My cousin had a brown T reg Clubman saloon for his first car. When I wanted to buy my first car 30 years ago I had a Vauxhall Chevette or Volkswagen Polo in mind. My brother in law recommended a Mini as he had at least two of them. For some reason at age 16 going on 17 I decided that a Clubman Estate would fit the bill with the extra cargo space. However, the vermilion 1979 1000 saloon I bought for £450 was perfectly adequate for my needs.

[@davidjones332]

The Clubman front was a hideous addition to the original Mini, and the only model on which it achieved any sense of balance was the estate car. We had a couple as company cars in the '70s and they were quite pleasant to drive and very practical load carriers. A bonus was that you could stand on the roof to replace a bus stop flag (but don't tell anyone I did that!).

[@19892CV]

Better access for maintenance though..

[@snakehandler87]

I absolutely love this channel

[@idriveaclassic]

🥰

[@iansutherlandcraig]

You do have the best classic car channel. Always interesting.

[@idriveaclassic]

Wow that’s a massive thing to say. Thank you x

[@darrensmith6999]

Had a Blur Clubman estate in 1987 (: Thanks Steph

[@tonycox5625]

Did you live in a very big house in the country? 😂

[@chrispenn715]

I had a low mileage 1990s Cooper a few years ago. When this updated Mini was launched. They were very proud of the update to a 2 speed heater fan 😂

[@andybarrass5362]

I saw this car at the ADO Restoration open day a few weeks ago, a peach of a car, looking forward to following the restoration, rebuilt, recommission... whatever you want to call it.

[@RobinTheMini]

A MINI at last!! ❤❤❤

[@CuentoContigo-jv5qk]

😂

[@johncourtneidge]

Very nice, thank-you! It seems much more spacious than the initial Mini. Including under the bonnet!

[@LeicesterMike]

I had a blue one, it held 5 if us a bass drum and a couple of other drums. It leant slightly to the right but was absolutely brilliant.

[@mattfoster]

nice car and great review as always Steph.

[@alexwade9921]

Love the Clubman. Looks like a little Maxi!

[@imranhashmi6172]

Excellent review. A pleasure listening to you.

[@AlexandraWoodGSY]

I am so looking forward to all the restoration updates. 😀

[@Jonny-w3w]

I drove one in the late 80s as a young man ' brilliant little motors ' this shape was smart ' sporty looking ' i didnt have a key ' luckly there was a start botton ' quality 👍🇬🇧

[@davidhinkson8856]

Love the patina on this Clubman estate. When i was at school one of the office secretaries and a science teacher had cars just like this painted white. Still see regular Minis around at car shows but haven't seen a Clubman estate since childhood.

[@benc8386]

Great video! The lights are actually that switch on the centre panel, and there isn't a fog light. The right stalk just does indicators, horn and high beam.

[@johnfranklin3001]

Mini Clubman estate is the best looking type of mini IMO. Understated and cool, and fun too. Just irresistible.

[@gaufrid1956]

Steph, my first two cars in Australia were a 1965 and 1963 Mini 850 saloon. My youngest brother's first car was a yellow 1973 Mini Clubman saloon. I've never actually seen a Mini Clubman estate on the road. Certainly they would be the ideal classic Mini by virtue of the added practicality of the estate, and the longer wheelbase. I guess it would have been about 1981 when my brother bought the Clubman.

[@6ettinold]

It wasn't a Clubman, but I was lucky enough to find a newly restored 1967 mk1 Mini ( Morris Mini Minor ) for my 1st car back in 2000. My hot hatch driving mates were all won over once I'd let them have a drive. I paid £1600 for it at the time and it was immaculate.

[@michaelmccann4706]

There were so many on the road back then, so many went to the scrap yard.

[@gazyounglive]

I still see a good few mini clubman estates around in my neck of the woods, and many austin rover 1980's ones too... as for the old radio try for manx radio 1368 or caroline 648 with the aeriel fully extended when it's getting dark and if lucky you can still get music on theose old radio's 👍

[@john1v6]

Ahh more A-Series fun. A flatmate of mine at uni back in 1989 had a black clubman saloon with a 1098 engine - DLP29T. Great fun.

[@cloudsowhite]

I agree, NO RADIOS and etc.And I do not think we should have the video display in a car. Gauges yes, video displays no. I see way too many people having accidents because they have to adjust something on the display (wipers,A/C, etc) and they take their eyes off the road to focus on the display and, WRECK! All controls should be on the steering wheel and column, no need to look around on the dash. Love your show!

[@amazulu3401]

Absolutely loved the look of these back in the day when I was 8. Years later at 18 I hated them when I changed the water pump in a neighbours automatic Clubman Traveller. Absolute bloody nightmare.

[@MrStinker101]

Thank you for this great video

[@clivewillis5445]

I've had my 1978 Clubman Estate for over 20 years.

[@richardhargrave6082]

My first car was a 1976 Clubman Estate, it was white Brings it back, I think it was a great first car. The seats were awful! I changed the steering wheel for a Mountney and refurbed the wheels, the hub caps being long gone! Spent many weekends rebuilding the brakes, which never really worked. Then I serviced the carb Changed the fuel tank, its behind the back wheels (very safe!) and had rusted away from the salt and debris from the rear tyres... It was a constant battle, so in the end I sold it, eventually, and got a loan and a Mk1 Fiesta 1.1L 40 years later I look back on it with great fondness, as you do with the first car, but I'm not sure I'd that I'd have one now

[@colrhodes377]

I had a Clubman Traveller, and I loved it.

[@flapacat]

This use to belong to someone living in Barrow Upon Humber. Remember seeing it about. Always looked a bit rough. Good to see it still about.

[@kevinfinnie64]

Great video, brings back memories of my Grandfather's clubman estate, the same colour, Vermilion Red I think even though it was Orange???

[@modscotsman]

I've had two clubby estates, would love another one. We have a shell at work I might see about saving.

[@RonaldThomas-j9g]

love the clubman estate a great and wonderful little car and look's like real fun to drive .

[@Rottingboards]

Great review of the car and the designer.

[@dizali4857]

Hey Steph, I’m loving your work. What a breath of fresh air to have a female voice in the sea of male voices. Love your look. You look great ❤

[@MorristheMinor]

I think there should still be photos on the ARO website of the prototypes of the Clubman. Roy Haynes also wanted to add a new rear end to the car, as well as the front. Personally, I think it looked a bit 'Hillman Impey' so to speak, but BLMC didn't have the money for both. Interestingly, the South African arm had a standard mini body with a Hornet front end and branded that as the Wolsely 1000. However, they also ran out of Hornet fronts and did a standard mini front on a Hornet body. (I've spent too much time on ARO). 😁

[@metricstormtrooper]

So no radio to distract you from driving but chain smoking while driving is A-OK, plus a bottle of gin in the door pocket, top stuff Alex.

[@pradolover]

My mum had a blue 1979 manual model, CDO235V. It had a red and white stripe across the roof transversely from where she tried to tailgate someone out of Harlow Harvey Centre multi storey car park. We had little cash in those days!

[@jimcabezola3051]

This is the variant I MOST recall riding in when I was a lad! Quite the Tardis, this...

[@simongray2533]

I had one of these as my first car (almost exactly the same as this one actually 😁). I can confirm that, running flat out down hill with the wind behind you , it would hit 75 (ish) although, to be honest it felt like being in the opening titles of "The Bionic Man"! ("She's breaking up!.....I CAN'T HOLD HER!!"). 🤣🤣

[@davidquinn5906]

Love it. It used to be said that everyone had a Mini at some point. Usually it was a ratty one in this exact condition that you could get for a couple of hundred quid. Mine had mushrooms sprouting from the carpet.

[@coldlakealta4043]

I have a 1967 Mini Traveller in the garage. It's a great little machine but, unfortunately, the Canadian winters keep it under cover for half the year. I have only ever seen 1 Mini Clubman, and it seems to be a great little machine. We have a 1275 in ours to try and keep up with traffic safely on our 100 km/hr thru-ways where 120 is the normal actual speed. Defensive driving is a must!

[@andyand100]

I loved my clubman estate so need the orange peril was nice to be able to see road surface thou the footwell , only car you could weld or replace sub frame by rolling mini on too double mastress I have photos some where .love video s ❤

[@vickielawless]

We have 2 Clubmans- a 1970 Morris saloon and a 1972 version that will become a 1275GT replica in purple. I'd love a Clubby estate with the 1100 engine. Oddly enough, there was a prototype Clubby front built on an Elf body, ans badged "Climax GT.."

[@simonspibey]

I Have a Clubman Estate myself, dream car!

[@josvandencamp8441]

Lovely car and practicable.

[@MartysWhiteSuit]

I feel as though I've been transported back to the seventies. It was a car so fitting.

[@choryferguson2196]

Did you say Isigonis wanted a place to stash his Gin‽ Good heavens the mid-century was wild!

[@richtea7868]

My mum had one. TYJ761S. Hated the bloody thing. Used to burn my legs on the seats in summer lol. My mum loved it

[@robertmaitland09]

Fab, please keep the patina.

[@martinneumann7783]

I still own the “Mini Autos” card game of my childhood where all the Minis and Fiats and Citroëns and Simcas are part of it. Who needs an SUV when you can have a Mini? Thanks Steph and see you soon »»» Martin

[@Rottingboards]

Oh My God, I don't know how long it took to get that outfit to match...but it was worth every second. I have to always show my wife your outfits. She is getting worried about me... 🤣😂🤣

[@idriveaclassic]

I actually secretly colour matched it before filming day because it was in the workshop 😂😂😂😂😂

[@Vince_uk]

I always loved the Clubman Steph...

[@faderman36]

Good useful car and i’ve seen a set of golf clubs in the back and a dog (not at the same time 😆) In my clubman I fitted the radio on the shelf next to the dials as it was easier to reach. When you see how practical these are, do we really need Q7’’s suv type cars.

[@JohnEvans-zo7kk]

I have always been of that opinion.

[@TheFlyingdeuces]

Watching because my inner voice said 'Oh no' at 1st sight on X. The same 'oh no' is usually reserved for puppies or kittens. I live in Siddal wish I'd seen you!

[@idriveaclassic]

😂😂😂😂😂

[@EA-58]

Lovely little car