Tim Chadwick meets a smart Mini beside a fishing club, and is lured in for a few photographs

Often the bridesmaid in the wanted list for most Mini collectors, the flat-fronted Mini Clubman models seemed destined to remain in the shadow of the classic and original Mini shape, as epitomised by the early Coopers. Reactions to the New Mini Clubman shape when it arrived on the scene in 1970 were mixed, but most erred on the negative side, not for the little car’s famous mechanicals but for its blunt, slab-like nose. One motoring commentator even went as far as calling the newly revised model the ‘clubfoot.’ However, over time the initially unloved Mini Clubman went on to earn a valued place among the pantheon of Mini variants.

In New Zealand this point was marked by the all-conquering victory of the 1275GT Clubman-shaped Mini in the 1972 Heatway International Motor rally, driven by Scotsman Andrew Cowan and guided by our legendary navigator, Jim Scott. Cowan had become a household name after victory in the 1968 London-Sydney Marathon rally in a Hillman Hunter, and headed down under with a reputation as a tough competitor.

Initially earmarked to drive on that Heatway Rally for the New Zealand Motor Corporation (NZMC) in a Morris Marina 1800 GT coupe, Cowan would head a four-car assault on the internationally growing local event, leading a team of two Marinas and two 1275GTs, all prepared at British Leyland’s Abingdon competition workshop. Although contracted to drive a Marina, once here Cowan felt that the Mini was the best bet for victory and swapped his way into the 1275GT, leaving Jim Richards to pilot one of the Marinas home way back in 61st place, with Jim Carney in the navigator’s seat.

Dauntsey Teagle, with navigator Peter Harris, brought their Marina in at 52nd position, while the dextrous all-rounder Angus Hyslop drove the back-up Mini 1275GT into a creditable fifth placing, navigated by Mike Langley.

Suddenly, at least here in ‘Godzone’, the nimble Clubman Mini was a tin-top hero, heading home a factory-backed Toyota team and a group of potent BMW, Ford Escort and Holden Torana ¨XU1 competitors. Roaring along in General Finance livery, the Cowan/Scott Mini helped make the Mini popular and hip again for the ’70s.

Special K

Our Australian neighbours created the Mini ‘K’ utilising the BMC 1100 motor in the Clubman shape, but it was never as popular or perhaps as special as the 1275GT. In its native England, the well-known Mini tuner Richard Longman put the Clubman 1275GT back on the map by winning the Group 1 RAC British Touring Car championship in his Patrick Motor Sport Clubman in 1978. The Mini was by then an old design, but was still going strong.

In 1978, British Leyland marketed the Clubman 1275GT as “the world’s first car to be fitted with Dunlop Denovo safety run-flat tyres at no extra cost!”— and buyers were still enamoured with the Mini.

Our featured car harks back to those mighty Mini Clubman days of the ’70s. It is a restored 1977 GT example owned by Averil Osborne, who can often be seen navigated by a Border Collie named Meg, herself a keen Mini fanatic. Averil has had her 1275GT for almost two years and became very enthusiastic about the car, planning to fit alloy wheels and flared mudguards. She also had a personalised plate on standby, but once she saw the new paint job on her Mini she decided she wanted to keep the car as an original classic and stuck to the original JB5104 registration plates.

Averil’s Mini Clubman is of the Leyland-badged variety from the period when British Leyland took over BMC (British Motor Corporation) of England. Although Minis were assembled in New Zealand, this car looks to be a British-built 1275GT judging by its manufacturer’s plate (production number XO2S2-4602564).

Something unusual that a reader may be able to help us with is the red plate riveted next to the manufacturer’s plate that boldly reads ‘COMMISSION No. S20S-169215A’. In over a decade of writing for NZ Classic Car, I have never seen an official-looking tag such as this under a car’s bonnet before.

Averil had her Mini Clubman’s motor and gearbox completely rebuilt by the city’s well known Iona Motors — a BMC specialist. The stunning green paintwork is the handiwork of painter Pat Fake.

Canine Clubby Fan

Once this green gem hit the road, it was hard to keep Averil out of the Mini, let alone Meg, her canine ‘Clubby’ fan. “I think its actually Meg’s car really,” Averil says, ” She only has to hear the Mini keys rattle on the key ring and she thinks she is going off for a drive. She sits up in it like a person, and even wears the
seatbelt like a human does!”

I’ve known Averil’s partner, Roy Barber, for a few years. He’s a true Italiano — in a Penn McKay fashion — when it comes to motoring, owning mainly Alfas and Lancias. Roy and Averil have five cars between them, and Roy quietly says the Mini is the ‘bread and butter’ car of the partnership but, woofingly, Meg doesn’t quite see it that way.

An animal lover, when Averil isn’t away at Mt Kilimanjaro photographing gorillas or snapping top shots of grazing wild animals, she can usually be seen chauffeuring the charming Collie to and fro within Taranaki or carting Roy home to his cosseted Roman relics. The team also competes in Egmont Classic Car Register events such as trials and club runs.

Averil is used to being behind her Nikon photographing the wildlife, and not on the other side of a camera, but for this story we found a suitable sunny spot, fittingly for a Clubman, near a club — one for anglers and deep sea fishermen at one of New Plymouth’s breakwaters.

Without any prompting, Meg leapt into the driver’s seat and sat up for the de rigueur ‘pride of ownership’ shot. A Scottish rally driver may have made the Mini 1275GT famous but a Scottish Border Collie was taking over the photo shoot and charming passers-by.

Since rolling out of the paint shop, Averil’s ’77 Mini Clubman 1275GT has been attracting more than excited woofs of approval, and we wish her many happy Mini miles ahead.

1977 Mini 1275GT – Specifications

Engine Four-cylinder, transverse ohv
Capacity    1275cc
Max Power    ¨40kW (54bhp)
Carburettor    ¨Single SU
C/R    8.8:1
Brakes    Disc/drum
Suspension    Independent

Dimensions
Wheelbase    2051mm (6ft, 8.75 inches)
Front track    1238mm (4ft, 0.75 inches
Rear track    1204mm (3ft, 11.4 inches)
Length    3162mm (10ft, 4.5 inches)
Width    1410mm (4ft, 7.5 inches)
Height    1346mm (4ft, 5 inches)
Kerb weight    676kg (1490lb)

Performance
Max speed    145kph
Economy    9.4-10l/100km (28-30mpg)

Words and Photos: Tim Chadwick