1981 Austin Mini Clubman HL Estate |

Closed Auction- Unsold

1981 Austin Mini Clubman HL Estate

This auction has now closed - click 'Register Similar' below to get notified when we consign a similar vehicle.

Mileage~23,550 on clock
TransmissionManual
Engine1.0L
LocationFareham

AUCTION CLOSED

1981 Austin Mini Clubman HL Estate

Introduction

Darren Rungasamy

Automotive Editor, Photographer and Consigner

A unique opportunity to obtain a low mileage legend that's in excellent original condition.

The Mini was the answer to the post-war boom to help get Britain mobile. Priced accordingly, the Mini was light, easy to drive and offered basic but charming transportation. Its innovative front-wheel transverse engine drive layout was unique for a production car, and despite it only being ten-feet long, could accommodate 4 passengers and their luggage at 70mph. It won the hearts of millions with its precise race-car-like steering, agility, and great handling, and it deservedly became a true British icon. The Mini's natural development, the Clubman, debuted 10 years after the original in 1969 and offered a higher level of refinement over the earlier model with a plusher interior, more instruments, and better access to the engine.

This is one of the last Mini Clubman estates to be produced and has to be considered something of a unique opportunity to obtain a low-mileage car with its original body and paint. With just 23,500 recorded miles, and some sensible but reversible mechanical and interior upgrades, this car has seen nothing but the utmost of care over its 41 years of existence. Sold with an MOT to March 2023, there is very little in terms of faults on this car and drives beautifully.

This auction listing was written from information supplied by Darren after meeting Allan the owner, and having visited and photographed the vehicle.

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Secure Auctions

We verify all our sellers and buyers to keep our community safe whilst also providing the highest levels of website security.

Full Transparency

8 out of 10 people that buy cars via our service don’t feel the need to visit due to the transparency and thoroughness of our listings.

Vehicle Delivery

We're there every step of your buying journey and will even arrange pick-up and delivery of your new vehicle.

Meet the owner

When I first saw it, well I knew I just had to buy it!

A genuine petrolhead with a formidable collection of classic cars, Allan bought the Mini from Trade Classics last year, swayed by the low mileage and exceptional condition of the car and it's circa 11 year ownership.

Allan he has a good eye for decent cars and invests in solid original cars as a hobby.

However, the Mini's lack of use and consolidation of his collection means that he has regrettably decided to sell the car to make space.

Allan

Vehicle Owner

Ask Questions

CONTACT OWNER

Exterior
Interior
Mechanics
History
All Images

EXTERIOR VIDEO

Exterior

You would be hard pushed to find a better unrestored late Clubman estate as good as this!

Wheels and Tyres

The steel wheels are free of any significant blemishes, but minor signs of age are starting to come through. The original plastic hubcaps are in good order and the car comes with locking wheel nuts.

The Dayton tyres are over 10 years old but still display a legal amount of tread.

Bodywork

The car is completely original, with no issues we could see in regards to the structure of the car.

The subframe, inner wings, sills and floor pan are solid, with recent undersealing and wax injections ensuring that the car retains its integrity.

The exterior is also free from any form of notable blemishes, with no damage spotted on both rear and front valance, all wings, A-posts or doors. There are no suggestions of repairs. The car is free from any dents or scuffs. The doors open and close with ease, with no issues in regards to the panel fit.

We've highlighted in more detail our observations through our hi-resolution images and videos, so please take time to look through all the media files for a detailed view at what’s on offer, and for you to assess the condition of the car for yourselves.

Paint

The Ember glow red paint is said to be completely original and has retained a remarkable sheen throughout. It has good even coverage with no signs of fade or flatness. There are a couple of touch-ups noted; a couple of dabs of paint can be seen on the bonnet and nearside rear wing but that's the full extent of distractions on the body. The decals are intact.

Again, we have taken hi-resolution images and videos of the car for you to assess the condition of the bodywork for yourselves.

Glass and Trim

The trim is complete and all in good condition, the front bumper shows minor signs of age but nothing that constitutes a concern. The car has seen a full set of plastic wheel arches fitted, these were placed on the car due to the extra width needed to accommodate the disc brakes. The car also has a later model grill emblem fitted.

The glass, along with all of the rubber seals are free of damage.

The lights and plastic lenses are in very good condition.

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INTERIOR VIDEO

Interior

The interior presentation is near flawless - a proper time warp car.

Seats and Carpets

The sand leatherette seats are in exceptionally clean condition, with very little in terms of wear. They retain their firmness and move aft and fore with ease, with no issues with tipping forward to allow passengers into the back.

The back seats are near perfect. The carpets are in very good shape too, with no evidence of dampness.

The car comes with a set of aftermarket mats.

The boot is lined with an extra carpet, along with sound-deadening material - there are no significant signs of use in the boot.

Dashboard

The car has seen an upgraded dashboard fitted, an aftermarket item of very good quality. It houses three additional instruments, a volt meter, clock and oil pressure gauge, as well as a Polarlander USB/SD/MP3 player. An additional rev counter and engine temperature gauge are fitted to the right of the driver.

All controls, switches and dials are in good condition and all have been proven to work.

Steering Wheel / Gear Stick

The car retains its original plastic steering wheel, which is in good condition with no nicks or significant wear.

The gear stick is in a similar state with no outstanding issues.

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'ON THE ROAD' VIDEO

Mechanics

It has seen a significant amount of spending and mechanical improvements in recent years

Engine and Gearbox

The car starts up immediately and one thing you notice is how quiet it is on tick-over.

There were no irregular noises from the engine, with the car breathing well and no smoke from the exhaust.

The car was left running for at least 15 minutes during the unprecedented heatwave and the cooling fan did not even kick in. The car retains a good oil pressure, with the owner stating that the car maintains an even engine temperature throughout.

The gearbox and the recently fitted clutch are free from any issues, with the gearbox selecting its gears smoothly. No signs of fluid leaks were observed on the day.

A detailed document of notes on a series of extensive engine improvements was carried out last year, please view the paperwork gallery to see this.

Suspension and Brakes

The previous owners have gone to great lengths to ensure that the car's ride, brakes and steering are correctly functioning, with evidence of many new parts fitted to the car, with regular checks and testing.

On the road, the car brakes evenly with reassurance, with no signs of juddering. The ride is charismatically bouncy and firm but without any significant bumps or rattles from the wheels.

The Drive

The drive is remarkably tight, with the upgraded brake system, along with the numerous suspension and steering components providing a near close experience of how the car may have performed when new, with a strong argument to suggest it's even better than when it left Longbridge in 1981.

The car retains its cheeky chuckability, with its trademark gearbox whine and nimble handling with no knocking when in motion. It's worth viewing the mechanical video to see for yourself.

Electrics and Other

The car has seen a series of electrical upgrades to the engine, most of which are to enable the A-Series block to run as reliably as possible. It has also received an uprated fuse system and Halogen headlamps with LED side, brake and reversing lights. There is under bonnet/boot fireproof sound insulation installed too.

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History and Paperwork

This original car comes with a binder full to the brim with notes, invoices and documentation.

The car was first registered in Hampshire in 1981 and has seen a number of owners since then who have managed to keep the mileage to a bare minimum. However that is not to say that the car hasn't seen regular and important maintenance, it has also been treated with several mechanical and sympathetic (but all reversible) aesthetic updates over the years.

The car was subjected to a sympathetic mechanical overhaul around 10 years ago, with notes to suggest regular servicing since then. It comes with a huge file of invoices that outline a new clutch, a suspension overhaul as well as new flexible brake hoses to complement the front disc brake conversion.

Another useful upgrade is the unleaded fuel conversion, with a record of a new radiator, water pump, Powerspark electronic distributor, electronic timing module, and a recently fitted battery with a battery isolator switch.

The previous owner has kept a record of their work, on top of the handbook, paperwork pertaining to a dashboard upgrade with a host of aftermarket dials. The car comes with an MOT to March 2023, having only travelled 13 miles since it passed it.

The car is also legible for free road tax.

We’ve done all our usual seller checks including photo ID, V5 and also actioned a HPi check on the vehicle.

We've summarised our own view on the car based on information gained from the seller in the listing above, however, and as you can see, we go to great lengths to photograph and video the car in hi-resolution detail - this has been done for you to make your own assessment from the comfort of your sofa. So please sit back, have a cuppa and take your time to review everything on this listing in order to make your own assessment on the vehicle's condition. Viewings are also welcomed with all our listings, so please get in touch with us to arrange a suitable time - we just need to speak to you first and receive a valid photo ID before confirming.

If there's anything you're unsure about, no matter how small, then please first ask the owner in the comments area below before placing your bid/s, as bids can't be retracted and form a binding contract if you win the car - just like a traditional auction house.

Service History

Date	Type	Mileage
15-03-2022	MOT	23,537
03-08-2020	MOT	23,405
01-08-2019	Service	23,300
29-07-2019	MOT	23,298
08-08-2018	MOT	23,046
28-07-2017	MOT	22,920
01-08-2016	MOT	22,824
21-08-2015	MOT	22,798
02-05-2014	MOT	22,765
26-09-2012	MOT	22,666
06-09-2011	MOT	22,352
14-09-2010	MOT	22,092
11-09-2009	MOT	21,735
17-09-2008	MOT	20,698