Its significant because its a rare example of a steel bodied internal tank Countryman. They were only built for about six months and very few if any original examples survive. The all steel bodywork was launched in April 1961 for the export market and the fuel tank was relocated under the floor in October 1961.
I'm curious as to whether anything can be learned from the background. The scrubby bush is quite uninspiring as press photos go, but is similar to these two pictures of the prototype beach car (and BMC training bus). Could the Countryman/Traveller partially obscured in the second photo be the same car? Von Trip died in September 1961, so it must have had an internal tank.
They do look similar locations and yes there was a white Countryman present at the Cooper launch where Issigonis is pictured there in John Reymondos beach car on 7th July 1961.
Hello
Looks to me that the top picture is a left hand drive (going on the wipers position) Countryman, and the bottom partial picture of the Countryman is right hand drive (going on wiper position again).
Great pictures
AustinSuperSeven wrote:Hello
Looks to me that the top picture is a left hand drive (going on the wipers position) Countryman, and the bottom partial picture of the Countryman is right hand drive (going on wiper position again).
Great pictures
Good spot, I'd also say the first picture with the Countryman in was taken in Autumn/ Winter looking at the leafless trees in the background whereas I could believe the second two shots were taken at the same place.
