BMW now offers Mini fetishists the ultimate performance and personalisation package in the JCW John Cooper Works edition, a factory-built special from the Oxford (formerly Cowley in the old BMC days) plant where the latest Minis are built. While the individual gains over the regular Cooper S are fairly small, collectively they turn the Mini into quite a rabid little performer, upping the fun quotient considerably beyond the premium charged. But, since the Mini’s already an expensive proposition, the JCW Clubman model tested here – with a few desirable options – blows right out to become quite a pricey proposition.
And there are a couple of other issues to consider as well…

Clubman Estate
Released: 1960
Ended: 1982
Family Tree: ClubmanSold as both the Mini Clubman Estate and Austin Mini Clubman, the wagon version of the Mini also aimed at people who just couldn’t fit all their stuff in the original Mini. It was based on the Mini Van, but came with a rear bench seat that folded down and glass windows instead of the metal sides of the Van. The original Clubman had a slightly longer wheelbase, but was still quite nimble.
It used the same powerplants as regular Minis, including Cooper S and GT variants. Some Clubman models were built in Australia until 1971.
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