The very last Mini Clubman has rolled off the company’s production line in Oxford nearly 55 years since production first began in October 1969.
With a new Mini lineup on the way, the famous estate car was heralded out with a limited-run Final Edition, which was first seen in August 2023.
Dr Markus Grüneisl, CEO of Mini’s Oxford and Swindon plants noted that, whilst the last model leaving the factory is a sad moment, it brings opportunity for new designs.
He explained: “With its departure, we look ahead to welcoming members of the new Mini family to our Oxford and Swindon lines, including a new convertible model which we will start to produce at the end of this year.”
The Clubman itself will be replaced with a new generation version of the Countryman SUV, with a smaller all-electric model called the ‘Aceman’ also set to launch later in the year.
First seen in 1969, the original Clubman was seen as an upmarket version of the standard Mini, which was already a decade old.
Available as a two-door saloon or an estate, all Mini Clubmans did away with the familiar front-end drivers have come to expect from the brand, replacing it with a rectangular grille and flatter bonnet.
The most powerful form of the original Clubman, the 1275GT, featured a 1.3 engine that helped it to accelerate from 0-60mph in 10 seconds.
The Mini Clubman was phased out in 1981 when British Leyland introduced the all-new miniMetro, however the name was reintroduced to the market in 2007 as a dedicated estate.
Technically a five door, early versions of the relaunched Clubman featured a pair of barn doors to access the boot, and just one door for rear occupants.
Like the rest of the Mini range, modern Clubmans have been offered in a wide range of trim levels and special editions, including the sporty John Cooper Works and luxurious Bond Street edition.
Some 65 years after the very first Mini was launched, the range is set to receive a major overhaul with a number of new electric models being introduced.
The Cooper, once a name exclusively used on high-performance models, will replace the conventional three door Hatch, which now features a sleeker front end and arrow-shaped rear lights.
The larger Countryman SUV shares the Cooper’s new looks, adding a fifth seat and an extended range of up to 287 miles.
