‘A niche within a niche’, the iconic British motor ‘in danger of becoming extinct’ with only a few hundred left
AN iconic British motor that is a "niche within a niche" is in danger of becoming extinct - with only a few hundred remaining.
The Mini is one of the nation's most beloved vehicles and a British icon around the world.
But one type of Mini is close to disappearing as its numbers dwindle and no new cars have been produced since 2014.
There are only 789 Mini Clubvans left on the road with only 1020 being produced, according to Autocar.
The Clubvan was the light cargo van version of the Mini Clubman and was in production between 2012 and 2014.
Autocar described it as a "cute throwback" to the Minivans of the 1960s, but useless as a load carrier.
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It said: "A fine example of a vehicle that sits in a niche within a niche, this is the BMW Group’s one and only car-derived van. And it’s rare."
The car was introduced with Mini citing the popularity of the Mini Van in the sixties that sold over half a million motors.
There were only a few differences from the much more popular Clubman.
In the Clubvan, the back seats have been removed and vinyl has been placed across the back windows to give the car the 'man with a van' look.
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Car expert Doug DeMuro also found storage issues with the motor in a review he carried out.
He said: "What you actually find is you can't get to anything because of that silver cargo divider and the black cargo cage that's currently in place."
"Visibility in the Clubvan is generally pretty atrocious because you have these tiny little cut mini mirrors and you can't really see all that much at any given time."
Doug said that despite its cargo load issues, it does retain the fun handling that Minis are known for.
"If you find one of these on Craigslist or on Autotrader you should buy it because it's way cooler than a Ford Transit."
Only 50 cars were sold in the US after it was introduced in 2013.
The car did not take off in the US because it cost more than the Clubman passenger wagon due to the Chicken Tax.
The chicken tax was a tax implemented by the US government in the 1960s on light lorry-type vehicles.
BMW Group has been approached for comment.
Rare 1965 Mini Cooper S found hiding in shed for over 40 years
A RARE Mini that was abandoned in a shed for decades has sold for more than £52,000 at auction.
The Mini Cooper S model belonged to retired lorry driver Elwyn Watkins, aged 86, who lives near Bewdley, Worcestershire.
A British Motor Corporation employee first purchased the car on a company discount scheme, but it was quickly passed onto Mr Watkins in 1965.
The sought-after vintage car had been abandoned in a shed since the late 70s, according to Mr Watkins' younger brother Julian, aged 70.
Mr Watkins opted to buy the Mini instead of a Jaguar E-type, because he wanted to go on trips with two or three passengers and felt it was more practical, worcesternews.co.uk reports.
Julian said: "That's how he came about buying it. Twiggy and The Rolling Stones had Cooper S's".
