German Car Zone

1. Countryman
Launched in 1960 the original load-lugging Mini was called the Traveller if you bought a Morris, and Countryman if it was an Austin.


2. Swinging Sixties
During the Sixties the Mini Wagon featured an ash wood framework at the rear. However, this wasn't structural - it was just for show.


3. Seventies style
By the next decade the ash had been removed. In its place was a vinyl side stripe with fake wood grain. All models were badged British Leyland.


4. Clubman collection
The Clubman name first appeared in 1969. Cute Mini front end was replaced with more angular nose. Available as saloon, wagon and hot 1275 GT.


5. Design sketches
When the parent company BMW wanted a new MINI estate, it had something much more sporty than the original in mind.


6. Production line
The new Clubman is built on a hi-tech production line at the Oxfordshire plant. A total of 230 robots are used in various roles around the factory.


7. Roof presses
Humans are still important in getting fnished models out through the factory gates. Over 4,500 are employed at the Cowley facility.


8. MINI Clubman
Nearly thirty years after the last of the original Clubmans rolled off the line, the MKII makes its debut.


9. Club door
This is the controversial Club door design. The single rear opening means that passengers in RHD cars exit into the road.


10. Double rear doors
Like the first Mini wagons, the 2007 version features a twin rear tailgate. It's practical but robs drivers of rear vision.


11. Interior sketches
Initial sketches used wood decking for the floor - a nice nod to the ash exterior frame of the classic Sixties models.


12. Clubman interior
The finished article was much more convential, using many parts already found in the standard hatchback version.
http://www.autoexpress.co.uk/news/autoexpressnews/212358/mini_clubman.html#

I love the MINI (old & new), but I hate the Clubman (well, the new version of it, anyway)...

^^^ Some hard-core shit, Lmao ...!