THE CCW VIEW

How can you sum up the Morris Minor? A unique fusion of metal and people, I suppose. What would the classic movement be like without it, and indeed the club that supports it, surely one of the trendsetters for the past 42 years? The things that club has done: I have in my collection the club’s 40th anniversary book, which I keep dipping into in disbelief. So many events, so many people, so much goodwill, so many obstacles overcome.

I have always had a soft spot for the Series II Minor having offered, at the age of 14, my entire £40 cash reserve for one. The sale was agreed on condition that the car failed its MoT. Sadly it passed.

My first ever Minor experience was not pleasant. The car belonged to Mrs Bridle, who lived around the corner and was giving me and my dear mama a lift home. Unfortunately, my arm was trapped in the door for much of the journey while my mother, in the back seat and not realising the situation, was chastising me for moaning. The Bridles bought a Ford Cortina MkII estate soon afterwards.

As our three owners demonstrate, owning a Minor is a far from painful experience and can satisfy every need, from daily driver modified for today’s conditions, or a sweet concours pet.

Purely from an accountancy point of view a Minor makes sense, with excellent economy and low running costs. None of this £100 replacement sealed beam headlight nonsense for it. A classic for all seasons and all reasons. Happy 70th, Morris Minor!