1961 Austin Mini Countryman, a longer-wheelbase version of the British staple was designed to expand cargo space and usability. Not to mention adding a touch of flair with its wood-framed cargo bed. The Austin Mini was an amazing critter, a tiny box on wheels with surprisingly roomy passenger space and agile drivability, which put many of them on racetracks competing against sports cars of the era. Like the Morris Minor wagon that went before, the Countryman, although not quite an actual woody, but a stylish representation of a pre-war shooting- brake. Shooting brake being synonymous with several other terms- “estate coach (GB)” or “station wagon (USA).” The double barn doors in the rear open to a stowage area that makes the Mini Countryman usable for business and vacation road trips.

The Countryman version also adds to the iconic form of the groundbreaking Mini, which pioneered the front-wheel- drive, transverse engine design that’s so prevalent in passenger cars today.

“But the larger Countryman version is also a more distinct and rarer way to celebrate a motoring icon,” according to the Lithia Springs, Georgia, dealer advertising the little gem on ClassicCars.com. “After all, the real wood frame gives it the appearance of an iconic American surf wagon… but in a more European size.

“It gives you a surprising amount of cargo room for its diminutive size, which gets our minds racing about the different and practical uses for this vintage wagon.”

The left-hand drive Mini is powered by an 850cc A-series 4- cylinder engine, which might be small but “It’s part of the backbone of English motoring, which makes it quite hardy and boasts easy parts availability” the dealer says. “When matched with the four-speed manual transmission, the performance can be quite nippy,” he adds. “Add in a nice modern-tread tire and steering that is so exact it feels telepathic, and you’ve got in your hands all the reasons why people are passionate about driving a Mini.”

At time of writing, the odometer shows just 37,265 miles.