The Mini -- the original Mini -- was manufactured in 17 different variations, not counting the Mini-Moke. One of the most popular was called the Mini Traveller, in actuality a 2-door wagon. It was that capacious cargo area that made the Traveller so appealing; at last one could enjoy the frugality and parking ease of a Mini while bringing home a week's groceries.

Travellers may have been great shopping cars but they had their disadvantages, one of which was the added weight. According to the late writer LJK Setright "while other Minis could accelerate, the wagon version could at best be said to gather speed." Setright also suggested that the Mini Traveller's second most popular employment was as a vehicle for carrying a dog. You could buy your Traveller in plain-Jane trim or as a "woodie" Clubman, though the wood was fake. It was an era, wrote Setright, "when the British could make plastics look like wood, the Germans could make wood look like plastic, and the Italians would make anything look like plastic."

All of which allows me to suggest, quoting theCarConnection, that the current MINI may soon be available as a Traveller. A concept was shown in Fankfurt; an Americanised version will appear at the North American International Auto Show. The Americanized MINI Traveller adds flexibility in loading with specially hinged doors that swivel to the side and front for maximum accessibility. Now I ask you, is the MINI going to the dogs?

Photo with permission from the Quattroroute archives