On 5th February, after 55 years since its debut in 1969, the final MINI Clubman gracefully concluded its production journey at MINI Plant Oxford. This milestone marks the end of an era for this iconic model.
Over 1.1 million MINI Clubman models have been manufactured since its introduction, with half of them produced at MINI Plant Oxford. Exported to over 50 countries, the Clubman is driven worldwide, while Midnight Black remains the top choice for the UK's exterior color.
The Clubman silhouette has its roots in the early 1960s when British Motor Corporation (BMC), the owner of Mini, introduced two estate versions of the original Mini: the Austin Seven Countryman and Morris Mini Traveller. These models featured a longer chassis and distinctive barn-style rear doors, providing additional space and practicality. Alongside the Riley Elf and Wolseley Hornet, which were more luxurious saloon versions of the Mini, these cars set the stage for the birth of the first Mini Clubman.
In 1967, British Motor Holdings (formerly known as BMC) embarked on a mission to streamline the Mini lineup. They enlisted the expertise of renowned designer Roy Haynes to amalgamate the best attributes from all four models into a single car, thus giving birth to the iconic Mini Clubman. The resulting design boasted a more angular appearance, highlighted by a distinctive elongated front nose, which measured 10cm longer than the original Mini.
In the end, three production vehicles were based on the Clubman, with the first car debuting in 1969 as a saloon, followed by the Clubman Estate a year later. The third was the 1275 GT, which did not bear the Clubman name but did share its distinctive nose and was famed for its motorsport career.
During the seventies, the Mini Clubman underwent exciting updates, boasting a robust 45 hp engine and stylish side stripes. Production of this iconic vehicle spanned over a decade, resulting in nearly 600,000 units, with 197,000 of those being Estates. In 1982, the production of the Mini Clubman came to a close, known as the 1000HL Estate.
Last MINI Clubman rolls off the production line at MINI Plant Oxford
After a 25-year break, the MINI Clubman made its comeback in 2007. While showcasing a contemporary design, it preserved the iconic styling elements from its earlier versions, notably the distinctive split rear doors.
To celebrate the Clubman's legacy, The Final Edition was unveiled in 2023. This special model came with a fixed specification, showcasing distinctive features like the Shimmer Copper radiator grille and side scuttles, 18" Final Edition Spoke 2-tone alloy wheels, and 'Final Edition' lettering on the rear. With only 1,969 units available, the Final Edition paid tribute to the original's launch year.
The MINI Clubman has gracefully made way for the Aceman crossover and the new Cooper's petrol variants, available in three-door, five-door, and convertible options. Production of these models will continue until 2030, after which the plant will transition to 100% electric vehicle manufacturing.
Source: MINI
