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The Clubman and Clubman Estate were launched in October 1969 along with the new MkIII Minis and sharing their improvements/differences from the previous Minis. The saloon was presented as a more upmarket Mini whilst the estate replaced the curretnly running Morris and Austin Mini estates.

Common to both versions of the Clubman was a compeltely revised front end. The front was extended and became squarer, new grille, bumpers, front headlamps/indicator units and rear 'Mini Clubman' badge.

With regards to the interior, the Clubman retained the the old Super De Luxe specification, but it had a completely redesigned dashboard. A new rectangular instrument nacelle, containing the speedometer on the left and combined fuel gauge/water temperature on the right, was introduced and moved in front of the driver. Also, for the first time in a Mini, the clubman introduced face level ventilation which actually worked. Other features where a unique trim, special contoured seats and its own three spoke steering wheel with a 'Clubman' badge on its centre.

The Estate came with the previous model's rear sliding windows. However, it was never available with the 'woody' rear trim. Instead, it came with a vinyl-coated steel fake wood trims extending the length of the vehicle. These were eventually replaced with contrasting coloured stripes. It also had both left and right wing mirrors where the saloon had none till a single door mirror was standardised across the Mini range in 1973.

While the Estate continued with the previous model's dry rubber-suspension, the Clubman saloon retained the hydrolastic suspension abandoned by most other Minis. It finally gave way to dry rubber in 1971.

Automatic transmission was available on both versions, but when the 1098cc engine was standardized on both models in 1975, the automatic version of the Clubman could only be bought with a 998cc engine.

Apart from interior changes and a minor facelift in 1976, the Clubman remained practically the same during its production life. Post-1976 Clubmans could easily be recognised by their cross-patterned grille.

The Clubman ended production in 1980 with the introduction of the Mini Metro, though the Estate was still available for a further two years.

Other History Facts:

1970:

• Steering lock introduced.

1971:

• Suspension on saloon changed from Hydrolastic to rubber cones.
• Improved CV driveshaft boot.

1972:

• Improved syncromesh
• Split-type needle-roller bearings on idler gears
• Alternator standard

1973:

• Rod-shift gearchange introduced.
• Plunging CV joints on inboard ends of new driveshafts.
• Improved door check bracket fitted.
• Single door mirror replaced wing mirrors on Estate.

1974:

• Inertia-reel seat belts standard.
• Heated rear window standard on saloon.
• Twin-silencer exhaust fitted on both models.

1975:

• Cloth seat trim and reclining front seats standard.
• Seat belt anchorages relocated to rear side bins.
• 88oc thermostat standard
• Manual versions of 998cc engined cars discontinued. 998cc-engines versions continued with automatic transmission only and manual-gearbox engine became 1098cc.

1976:

• New black grile with two horizontal bars and cross-shaped motif with new Mini badge in centre.
• Twin coloumn-mounted control stalks fitted.
• New rocker-switch type panel incorporating hazard lights standard.
• Larger pedals from Allegro
• Moulded carpets.
• Ignition/steering lock from BL Princess fitted.
• Suspension modified with softer rear springs and damper settings(saloon only).
• New rubber subframe mounts.

1977:

• New wheel trims.
• Leather-bound steering wheel
• Lockable fuel cap.
• Reversing lights.
• Tinted glass.
• Estate with painted striped down flanks instead of mock wood

1980:

• Mini Clubman models discontinued.

Total production figures:

• Saloon : Approx 275,583
• Estate : 197,606

Total: Approx 473,189

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