It’s unusual to see a Countryman or Traveller in the UK without wood trim. At the start of production in March 1960, they could be specified without trim only in overseas markets, but by October ’62 the same spec was finally made available to British buyers. The first owner of this all-steel Traveller paid a total of £566.8.6 for the car, with the Heritage Certificate confirming that it was made in ‘Basic’ specification for the right-hand drive home market, finished in Almond Green with a Porcelain Green interior, on June 4, 1964.
The following day the Traveller was dispatched to Stewart & Ardern, based in Acton, London, and on August 8 it was delivered to its first owner, Gerald Elliott, of Sutton, Surrey. A couple of months later, however, it was back with the dealer for a 500-mile service and to sort out some teething troubles.why the three-synchro gearbox was jumping out of first gear when travelling down a steep hill. Gearbox problems seemingly persisted, as the car required a replacement by 1977, costing £65.
