1275 GT thread

[InnoCooperExport]

Here's a picture I snapped of another Longman 1275GT replica being run by the Snetterton Speedshop (Jonathan Lewis et al) which they brought to Zandvoort a few years back. These Longman cars always look great.

[111Robin]

Apologies for not doing the research, but was the Clubman supposed to replace the original Mini at some point as a cosmetic upgrade, or was it always intended to run alongside it ?.

[Pandora]

That's a very interesting question. I think I have read contradictory versions of the 'truth', but the fact that it was introduced alongside the round nose Mk3, and not as a more conventional model year update makes me think it was intended to sell alongside the round nose, not replace it.

Why not? I'm not sure. typical BL mismanagement seems likely? they were streamlining offerings, removing things like the Riley / Wolseley, merging Austin / Morris under the Leyland brand etc etc. but then introduce a body variant instead of replacing the old? doesn't make sense, but maybe that is a reflection of the times

Someone far cleverer / more informed will I'm sure confirm the true marketing strategy.

Al

[Old English White]

I understood that the Clubman was introduced as a more modern "upmarket" version of the Mini to replace the Hornet/Elf. Working in a dealership, I'd say that most customers purchasing a new Clubman (saloon OR estate) were "posh ladies" who wanted a small car to run around in

[Costafortune]

Now that is interesting - so a Longbridge press car rather than the first 1275GT... !

According to my Glass's Guide, SOX ...H is Birmingham Nov 69 -Dec '69. So maybe your car was registered earlier or Longbridge had a block of registrations that they used between Nov '69 and the end of July '70?

BLMC often used an existing registration number for various cars - you'll find many new unregistered press shot Minis use the number from a Morris Oxford or a Wolseley 18/85 for example.

[mab01uk]

According to AROnline.....
"The Mini Clubman story starts in 1967 when BMC Managing Director Joe Edwards embarked on trying to sort out the mess BMC had got itself into; namely huge sales, yet meagre profits. To help him in this task he poached from Ford its Product Planner and Stylist Roy Haynes, fresh from working on the Ford Cortina MkII.
The Clubman was developed through BMC’s want to expand the Mini concept, without spending too much money. It started out as a hatchback proposal penned by Roy Haynes, but then developed into something rather less useful, all under the new code number ADO20. For the Mini, his task was simple: to produce a re-styled model to replace the Riley Elf and Wolseley Hornet at the top end of the range, with lower production costs. The Elf/Hornet was produced at a rate of only 125 per week and was subtly different to the rest of the Mini range. The resulting car, which was given the development code ADO20, and eventually known as the Mini Clubman, had a longer nose in the same style as its bigger brother, the Austin Maxi.
Haynes also designed a revised rear end for the Mini, but management had second thoughts. The interior was designed by Paul Hughes, the three-spoke steering wheel being pure Mk1/2 Cortina in concept, while the instrument binnacle was to survive until the demise of the Mini in 2000. Alec Issigonis believed in function over style and, although his concept might have caused problems for the ADO17 Landcrab and the Maxi, for the original Mini it was perfect.
The Mini Clubman was a case of style over function, for the only benefit of the longer nose was easier engine access, and it was in fact aerodynamically inferior to that of the original. But before dismissing the Clubman as an unnecessary diversion one should remember that Roy Haynes knew what he was doing.
By 1969, the Mini had been on the market for ten years – relatively unchanged. In that time, Ford had produced both the Mk1 and Mk2 Cortinas, the Anglia and its replacement the Mk1 Escort. By motor industry standards the Mini was long overdue for replacement or, at the very least, a facelift. After all, the car’s status as an icon would not become clear until the 1990s…"

The Mini Clubman Development Story:-
https://www.aronline.co.uk/cars/mini/cl ... ent-story/

[surfblue63]

Just think, BL could have lead the way with supermini small hatchbacks if they had given the first Clubman proposals the go-ahead. Note the Marina rear lamp clusters and the external door hinges.

[GraemeC]

Here's a picture I snapped of another Longman 1275GT replica being run by the Snetterton Speedshop (Jonathan Lewis et al) which they brought to Zandvoort a few years back. These Longman cars always look great.

I think that is the Swiftune one. If not, it has the same details that aren't 'quite right'.

[Old English White]

Just think, BL could have lead the way with supermini small hatchbacks if they had given the first Clubman proposals the go-ahead. Note the Marina rear lamp clusters and the external door hinges.

BL certainly missed some great opportunities along the way. It is rather sad to look back and see where it all went wrong We gave away our once great car industry didn't we

[111Robin]

Thanks for the history on the Clubman, I did think the family resemblance with the Maxi was a possible attempt at creating a BL "face" for the range. Any idea where the "Clubman" name came from ?. Can't think I've seen it used anywhere else. I'm sure its literal translation must look odd in some countries !!!!. Is it a reference to clubman as a race category ?

[mab01uk]

Thanks for the history on the Clubman, I did think the family resemblance with the Maxi was a possible attempt at creating a BL "face" for the range. Any idea where the "Clubman" name came from ?. Can't think I've seen it used anywhere else. I'm sure its literal translation must look odd in some countries !!!!. Is it a reference to clubman as a race category ?

I think the name 'Clubman' just tied in with the earlier use of the 'Countryman' name which had been used on various BMC estate cars (A60, A40, BMC 1100/1300, etc) long before the Mini adopted the name and of course BMW still use both the Clubman/Countryman names on their modern MINI variants, including for a short while a new 'Paceman' variation! Reports say a MINI Traveller variant is coming soon from BMW...

When it first appeared the Clubman "face" and the original grille design always looked like a scaled down close relation of the Mk2 Ford Cortina "face" to me and confirmed Ron Haynes input on both cars.

[InnoCooperExport]

I think that is the Swiftune one. If not, it has the same details that aren't 'quite right'.

I would be surprised if there was another one done to that level out there racing. I didn't see the Nick Swift on the doors, or the GKN wheels. But then I'm no expert and wheels and decals are easily changed. Sadly with historic racing being serious business these days most people tend to close the curtains on their tents and only emerge when their series are on, so not much opportunity for a chat. Not that I've tried, mind. But a lot of teams in the paddock nowadays don't look like they'd be too open to people wandering in for a natter.

[GraemeC]

Swiftune ran those Minilights on it initially, even at its first Goodwood FoS outing in 2017

[mascher]

The Mini Clubman was preceeded by the Raleigh Clubman bicycle. No connection, I imagine, other than having wheels.

Kelley

[Pandora]

Nor any link to the Clubmans racing series, cars as removed from the Mini bought by little old ladies as one could get.

Al

[Colin a]

Just want to try to send a couple of photos of my GT,sorry if they don't come through.

[Colin a]

I will try to get a few more through when I have worked out how I got the first one through.

[mab01uk]

I will try to get a few more through when I have worked out how I got the first one through.

This link below may help, I use 'Imgur'.
POSTING IMAGES - A Video Tutorial:-
http://mk1-forum.net/viewtopic.php?f=33&t=29888

[mab01uk]

[Peter Laidler]

Great thread and the more I see them, the more I like them