CLUB RECORD BID
More than 2000 Morris Minors sought for 2018 celebration
Avenue has been chosen for what is hoped will be the biggest ever gathering of Morris Minors. The car’s 70th anniversary celebrations will be held at Kelmarsh Hall in Northamptonshire on 23-24 June 2018. Morris Minor Owners’ Club secretary Ray Newell says: ‘Plans are progressing well and large contingents of members from the US and Scandinavia are already intending to join us.
‘Of course, we would do well to beat the 2000 cars that came up for the 50th birthday celebrations at Blenheim in 1998. But we’re hopeful it will happen!’
Meanwhile, this year’s annual rally is set to take place at Tulleys Farm near Crawley in West Sussex on 24-25 June. The 1963 Morris Minor that took part in the club’s 40th anniversary run from John O’Groats to Land’s End last year will also be presented to its new owners at the club’s big annual event.
Once the car had finished its huge run in aid of Marie Curie, the club invited sealed bids for the car, which was eventually won by club members Dave and Lynn Portwood from Berkshire. Lynn has since revealed that the car will be driven primarily by their daughters.
Ray Newell says that the sale was organised to help towards the car’s restoration costs and also to get some money into the kitty for other club events. He says: ‘ We are very glad that the car is staying in the club, and that it sold for more than the reserve price.’