2nd Gen R55 Clubman Piston Heads says So Long to their Clubvan

Discussion in '2nd Generation: 2007+ R55 through R61' started by Nathan, Jul 2, 2014.

  1. Nathan

    Nathan Founder

    Mar 30, 2009
    25,144
    10,052
    113
    Writer
    Short North
    Ratings:
    +10,069 / 0 / -0
    [​IMG]

    "Hello, is that PistonHeads? I'm here to pick up your van." Last time this happened a panicked phone call to the BMW press office bought us a stay of execution and an extension of the loan at the 11th hour. We weren't going to get away with it again. And so farewell.

    But not before we had a final fling. Two missions for the Mini to accomplish before it went back for destickering and delousing. One, to get round a track. And, two, a return to Le Mans to bring our year with it full circle, it having joined us just days before last year's trip out there.

    First to Silverstone though and a perhaps unexpected appearance alongside the exotica attending the RMA/PistonHeads track day. If you've not done one of these yet you need to - Graham at RMA's no nonsense briefings are legendary. Unlike most events overtaking is possible on either side, the slower car sticking to its line and the faster one taking the responsibility of finding a way round safely. Graham's only real rule is, basically, 'if you're driving like an idiot you can f*** off', which is refreshingly simple and definitive. Nobody appears inclined to argue, that's for sure.

    More at - Mini Cooper Clubvan farewell: PH Fleet - PistonHeads
     
  2. Dave.0

    Dave.0 Helix & RMW Powered
    Lifetime Supporter

    May 4, 2009
    25,021
    13,497
    113
    Burbs of Philly, PA
    Ratings:
    +14,644 / 10 / -4
    :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: They call it a Clubvan too. :lol: :Thumbsup:
     
  3. Nathan

    Nathan Founder

    Mar 30, 2009
    25,144
    10,052
    113
    Writer
    Short North
    Ratings:
    +10,069 / 0 / -0
    They have one of those cargo ones with no back seat like we could get here in the States for a little while. hence the Clubvan moniker.
     
  4. Crashton

    Crashton Club Coordinator

    Jun 4, 2009
    19,424
    10,031
    113
    Retired old fart
    Hooterville Ohio USA
    Ratings:
    +11,656 / 2 / -0
    Killed off by the US chicken tax. :frown2:
     
  5. B.A.D.

    B.A.D. Club Coordinator

    Dec 6, 2009
    2,282
    931
    113
    Ratings:
    +934 / 0 / -0
    I was just thinking about the clubvan the other day. Was thinking that it would make a great transport vehicle now that M.A.D. has become more involved in the bulldog rescue.
     
  6. Crashton

    Crashton Club Coordinator

    Jun 4, 2009
    19,424
    10,031
    113
    Retired old fart
    Hooterville Ohio USA
    Ratings:
    +11,656 / 2 / -0
    As long as it isn't St Bernard rescue it would fit the bill nicely. I doubt there are many club vans out there. Sort of like hens teeth.
     
  7. Nathan

    Nathan Founder

    Mar 30, 2009
    25,144
    10,052
    113
    Writer
    Short North
    Ratings:
    +10,069 / 0 / -0
    I think it was like 37 of them in the US.

    They didn't sell well here. To much money. You can make your own, I've seen that done.
     
  8. B.A.D.

    B.A.D. Club Coordinator

    Dec 6, 2009
    2,282
    931
    113
    Ratings:
    +934 / 0 / -0
    No St. Bernards here. Here is the current guest at the B.A.D. Halfway House for rescued bulldogs....

    [​IMG]
     
  9. pmsummer

    pmsummer Well-Known Member

    Apr 3, 2012
    570
    400
    63
    Semi-retired planner
    Jack Coffee Hays County, The Republic of Texas
    Ratings:
    +400 / 0 / -0
    Old threads never die on the internets.

    MINI USA didn't help the cause. All they had to do was do a conversion of the Clubman to a Clubvan on US docks to get around the chicken tax. That's why Ford was importing the Transit Connect van in 5-passenger mini-van trim, and then removing the rear bench and covering the side glass after passing through Customs.

    I suspect the US Clubvan debacle had something to do with appeasing British Labor Unions and honoring contracts with said.
     
  10. JackMac

    JackMac Well-Known Member

    Jan 1, 2010
    399
    251
    63
    PA
    Ratings:
    +256 / 0 / -0
    It has a factory rear seat delete kit. It's like a Clubman GP lol!

    Hmmm, that gives me another idea...
     
  11. Nathan

    Nathan Founder

    Mar 30, 2009
    25,144
    10,052
    113
    Writer
    Short North
    Ratings:
    +10,069 / 0 / -0
    That would be a very interesting track car.
     

Share This Page