Serving the Pre-War Morris Minor and M Type MG

2010 is the Register's Tenth Anniversary Year

The Latest News from the Register

5/8/10  The August Newsletter was just launched into the ether and can also be found in the Members' Area.

28/7/10  Photos of our Summer Rally may be found here.
148 more superb photos taken by Allan Rhodes of Track Car Photography may be found here and can be ordered in a variety of colour formats.
Ordering details on the Forum under Events/VMR Tenth Anniversary Rally 2010.

27/7/10  What a fantastic weekend!  Undoubtedly the best VMR Rally to date - made so by the wonderful group of entrants.
Just got back to VMR HQ - more news anon.  In the meantime, hearty thanks to everyone involved!

27/7/10  Welcome to new member Dan Witcher who owns this very tidy 1932 2-seater KJ 9306 (SV22691).
Dan lives in Pulborough, West Sussex and acquired the car last year.

16/7/10  VMR Prescott - a week tomorrow!  In the last few days, I have had several owners ask if it is too late to enter.
Absolutely not!  Simply turn up on the day and pay at the gate.  Climb tickets will be available from the start line hut,
and there will be spare BBQ tickets available during the day if you would like to join in the evening social fun on the hill.
See you there!

15/7/10  We now have the VMR lunch menu for the Inn for All Seasons,
which will be our lunch stop on the Scenic Tour on Sunday 25th July.
Here it is.

10/7/10  Impatient to get Minor motoring in his saloon, Mike Houston has acquired the Semi-sports IA 9142.
The car has a long and fascinating history that Mike is now piecing together.
Much more on this car on the Forum.

9/7/10  With just two weeks to go to our Tenth Anniversary Summer Rally, we are all systems go!
It is NOT too late to enter - either e-mail the Register or simply turn up at Prescott on Saturday 24th July and pay at the gate!
The July Newsletter, just launched into the ether, has all the final details and can also be read here.
I shall be flying over to Heathrow Thursday night next week and returning Monday morning.
See you all there!

3/7/10  Back in April we reported that Tommy Jardine had ended his search for a Minor saloon with the purchase of a 1934 model.
He has now got it running and taken it for its first road test.  He reports: "The road test was very good - it appears that the
old rusty exhaust contributed to bad running and I fitted a new distributor cap and leads plus a new coil.
The gearbox is also rattle-free after repairs to reverse selector.  It is now up to my brother to respray the car
as the paintwork is very poor.  This will be a long job as he strips everything down to bare metal."
Tommy is looking for a pair of half shafts, and here we see him in his Phillipines transport.

30/6/10  The Light Car Section of the VSCC held their Summer Rally last Sunday around the wilds of Staffordshire.
Here we see Dave Aston's tourer (currently for sale) alongside the Rolfe's saloon - the only two Minors to attend this year.
Dave reports: ":Just to prove I take my daughters out in the sunshine too ... my and Dave Rolfe's Minor at the VSCC LCES Summer Rally.
I drove my car from Tenbury, Worcestershire to the event near Rugeley, Staffordshire mostly on B roads.
We had a great party there Saturday night, with glorious weather all weekend.
Being kind to our kids, Dave and I had elected to do the tour rather than the competitive rally.
Hence we were able to really enjoy a very scenic 60 mile route on the Sunday, including two fun water splash fords.
Neither Minor missed a beat the whole weekend, a 200 mile round trip for us.
Shame there were only two Minors compared to the Austins which made up 50% of the entry.
Glad I haven't sold my Minor yet, I would have missed out on a fantastic event."

19/6/10  Welcome to new member Anthony Haddock of Worksop who has acquired Jen Lees' Minor US 2299 (see 2/2/10 below).
This car features in the new Longstone Tyres advertisement which will appear in the Yearbook.

11/6/10  The June Newsletter was distributed today and is also available in the Members' Area of the website.
Magazine M 135 has been posted worldwide and is also available in full colour in the Members' Area of the website.
The Register's 2010 Yearbook will be published at the end of June - order your copy here.

6/6/10  Believe it or not, a second extremely rare 1934 Minor 4-seater tourer has turned up in India.  Parth's 4-seater is already well-known
to Register members.  This one - chassis 34/MS/38026 - was spotted by Dave Aston, who reports:
"Here are some photos of a sidevalve Morris in Jodhpur, India.
I went there to rewire the Maharaja's Phantom II Rolls Royce.  As seems usual for Maharajas, they keep all the cars they ever bought,
and the Morris was on display as part of the Maharaja's collection at the Umaid Bahwan Palace, Jodhpur - where Liz Hurley was married,
I'm sure you will have that copy of "Hello!" magazine!"
So Parth, it looks like you have a very useful reference car not too far from you - but please ignore the front bumper, front wing brace,
headlamp stone guards and radiator mascot!

5/6/10  Three inches of snow, and the hood down - that's the vintage Minor spirit!
Dave Aston is regrettably selling his 1930 tourer.   This very capable and sorted car
is well-known in the VSCC, having been totally rebuilt with a new body, wings, etc. by Terry Dickie.
Dave reports that his daughters enjoy vintage motoring but don't travel light, so he needs a larger car.
(However, we think that they may have objecyed to being frozen to death!)
He is asking £10,000.  Those interested should call Dave on 07968/225262 without delay.

3/6/10  Magazine M 135 has now been uploaded to the Members' Area of the website.
Printed copies will be on their way to all members next Monday.

3/6/10  As reported (16/5/10) below, the MG Car Club's South West centre mounted an historic re-enactment of the 100 ascents
of the Beggar's Roost Trials Hill by an M Type MG in May 1930 last weekend.  Several VMR members were in attendance,
and three entered their M Types.  In all 8 M Types ascended the famous hill over the weekend.  This line-up was captured by Melvyn Tubb.
A full report on the weekend will appear in the Yearbook which will be published at the end of this month.
Download the Yearbook order form here if you have not yet ordered your copy.

27/5/10  Roger Baker is offering this very tidy 1934 Minor saloon for sale at £4,950.
More phots and a full description may be found here.

18/5/10 This Model 70 McEvoy Special Morris Minor has been languishing in an Ipswich engineering workshop since 1957.
Today it was finally removed from its lair and has been delivered to Walker Freight in Colnbrook
for onward shipping to VMR HQ in Seattle, where its arrival is eagerly anticipated.
The car was delivered by Robin Hunter, who did an outstanding job.

17/5/10  Mr C. Leeper is offering his award-winning 1933 season Minor 2-seater is being offered on the Internet at present.
 It is seen here at the Vintage and Classic Car Show at Hebden Bridge on the Vintage Weekend on 3rd August 2008.
First registereed 31/12/1932.  Asking price is £9,000.
View it here.

16/5/10  The MG Car Club (SW Centre) will promote an Historic Re-enactment of the 100 ascents of the Beggars Roost Trials Hill
by this MG M Type in May 1930.  The 80 year commemoration is to take place at Barbrook, near Lynton, North Devon
on 29 May 2010 between 2-4 pm and on 30 May 2010 between 10-12 am.
The aim is to make 50 non-stop climbs of the hill on each day.
During the time each car is making its ascents its engine must continue to run without stopping.
Details and the entry form may be downloaded here.
We understand there are about 12 cars entered.

15/5/10  Over in Japan, our member Kenji Matsuoka attended Meet the MG 2010 at
Shin-Nishinomiya Yacht Harbor earlier today (Japan is 16 hours ahead of VMR HQ!).
41 MGs, including  one M-type (Kenki's), three J2s and one P Special (Q replica).
Kenji reports that this spring it is colder than usual in Japan, but it was beautiful on the day,
and many people came to see old MGs.

14/5/10  The May Newsletter has just been launched.  A copy may also be found in the Members' Area.

14/5/10  Don't forget that the Register will have a club stand at Spring Beaulieu this weekend (look out for the banner!).
Stall number R293 (red field, bottom half towards the Thomas Cook bank).
Stop by and sday hello to Toby.

7/5/10  In New South Wales, Ian Hancock is offering his 1928 Minor roadster for sale.
Chassis mumber MM1226, chassis laid down 14/12/1928.  Au$12,500 firm.
Contact Ian for details.

Laura and Clive Hamilton-Gould and friends.  LCES Summer Rally 2004. (Photo Phil Jones)

6/5/10  The VSCC's Light Car and Edwardian Section has just released the Regs and Entry form for their 2010 Summer Rally,
to take place in Stafordshire over the weekend of Sunday 27th June.  Download here.

6/2/10  Not a Minor, but member Kenji Matsuoka's new toy over in Japan.  Kenji reports
that the beginning of May is a short holiday week in Japan, so he has spent
several days with the car, a 1933 Austin Seven.  The driver here is Hiro Nishio,
and the young boy standing next to the car is restoring a Nippy.

Below is Kenji with his other car (ex-WH 2424, 2M886).
This car was fully rebuilt by David Cooksey in Wokingham 1988/89.

2/5/10  This 1932 Minor OJ 772 (SV17683) is currently being offered on eBay.  View it here.
Thanks to Mike Tebbett for spotting this one.

1/5/10  John Nagle is making rapid progress with the restoration of his 1934 2-seater OW 4224,
which he hopes will be ready for our Summer Rally in July.
It is seen here with the newly-restored body ready for paint.

(Photo: Ken Martin)

(Photo: Toby Sears)

(Photo: Brian Maeers)

25/4/10  Our spring pub meets were very well attended today.
The upper photo shows the Hatchgate meet - with about 20 attendees including five vintage Minors and an M Type.
We were joined by the Bean Car Club and the Morris Register.
The middle photo shows the attendees at the Hurstbourne Tarrant meet including Ronald Hogg with his 1929 tourer,
and a big smile that may have something to do with the car's recent engine overhaul.
The pint sitting on the bonnet was spotted at our Peatling Magna meet, where 21 people in 9 Minors
and other vintage cars followed the pub meet with driving tests at Brian and Heidi Maeers' farm
Up hill, reverse, then around the pond and back down.  FTD went to Tom Walker in 1931 Minor 2-seater TM 8687 ('Agnes')
with a time of exactly one minute.  Second was a Frazer Nash (1.02), third was a Lea Francis (1.04),
fourth was Agnes driven by Brian (1.05).  More photos of this meet here.
All in all, a great day was had by all.

24/4/10  A reminder that we are holding our spring pub meets this Sunday, starting at noon.
Find all the details here.   Everyone is welcome.

.

16/4/10  Down in Dorset, member Hugh Knott is sadly having to sell his 1932 Minor OW 1920 (SV18463) due to immobility.
OW was featured in a Practical Motorist article in August 1981 entitled 'Cars Worth Keeping' when in the ownership of Ken Ford.
Hugh reports, "I have known the car since 1972 when I went with Ken to help push it to his home when he purchased it.
Ken had known it since the Second World War, after which it was owned by Horace Lane of Wareham."
Contact Hugh if interested.

15/4/10  We are delighted to welcome back Col Schiller in Toowoomba, Australia as a Register member.
Col left in 2002 when he sold M11421 to the late Lawrie Buckand (where is it now?).
Recently, Col acquired Y581 with this fascinating roadster bodywork which exactly matches that
on new member Brian Jeffery's car (M9722 - see  20/8/09 below).
Happily, Brian and Col are now in contact.
Since leaving the Register in 2002, Col has been bitten by the MG bug and now owns
an MG 14/40, an MG 18/80, an MG M Type, an MG J1 and an MG SA.
That must have been quite a bite, Col!

13/4/10  The April Newsletter was published today and is also available in the Members' Area.

13/4/10  Tommy Jardine joined the Register last month as he was searching for a Minor saloon.
He has now acquired this delightfully original example - congratulations Tommy!

12/4/10  In Queensland, Australia, Gary Schulze is offering his 1931 OHC tourer for sale.
This car just won the best early Minor at the Morris Register of Australia's National Rally.
Details in Marketplace.

11/4/10  This original 1934 saloon has just come on the market.
"Very original condition, untouched car, reconditioned brake master cylinder and pipes.
Has been in storage for 30 years, very good original paint work and bodywork, original interior with sunroof, engine runs."
Located in Hampshire.  View it here.

10/4/10  A rare and gorgeous Minor.  Sarah Gibson's 1932 McEvoy captured recently and looking resplendent in Spain.
Thanks for the great photos, Sarah.  More in the next Magazine.

8/4/10  Four VMR members supported the Morris Register of Australia's 17th National Rally at Goondiwindi,
about 200 miles south of Brisbane over the Easter weekend.  Shown here are (l to r)
Ted Pavitt's 1929 roadster, Max Dawkins' 1929 Buckboard, Gary Schulze's 1931 OHC tourer and Ewan Lambess' 1929 tourer.
There will be a full report on the weekend in the next Register Magazine.  Photo courtesy of Ewan Lambess.

7/4/10  This 1931 SV Minor is currently being offered for sale by Peter Dolley.
Chassis SV2955, engine U3586A.  Peter acquired it in 1990 and restored it over 3 years.  Little used since then.
Internal trim and external paintwork in excellent condition.  Current MoT.
£5,500 ono.  Garaged near Sevenoaks, Kent.  Contact Peter at 01732/870888.

31/3/10  Hot news!  Clive Hamilton-Gould has won the Llwynbarried Trophy at the 2010 VSCC LCES 'Welsh'
with his 1930 Morris Minor tourer.  The Llwynbarried Trophy is the premier award for the weekend,
for the best overall performance across the weekend to include the Touring Assembly
on Saturday and the Sporting Trial on Sunday.
Well done Clive!

25/3/10  Today we welcome Les Beardmore to the Register.
Les is restoring this Hundred Pound Minor (MU 3272, chassis SV2693) for his boss,
and doing a wonderful job. This is what he started with.  Les is on the lookout for a replacement radiator -
please contact the Register if you think you can help.
(Les's boss also owns a 1930 Semi-sports (EC 9689, M30077) which he has owned for about 40 years
and was his first car.  Les will be working his magic on this car once the SV 2-seater is completed.)

24/3/10  We are delighted to report that, at long last, the 'time capsule' 1931 fabric saloon LG 6677 (sadly now BF 4527)
has been acquired by true enthusiast Dereck Hardiman in Southport who joins the Register today.
Dereck and his wife also own  a Top Hat Austin 7 and are doing everything possible to
reunite the car with its original registration number.

23/3/10  We have added a fourth pub to our spring pub meet calendar - the George and Dragon in Hurstbourne Tarrant
near Andover, Hampshire.  Sunday 25th April at noon.  An appropriate venue since this is not only ther FBHVC's Drive It Day,
but also St. George's Day falls two days earlier!  All welcome - members or otherwise.
Details of this and our other spring pub meets may be found here.

17/3/10  And another on eBay - view it here.

12/3/10  This 1932 season 2-seater is currently being offered on eBay.
Location is Cardigan, South Wales.
View it here.

10/3/10  The March Newsletter was distributed today and can also be downloaded from the Members' Area of the website.

8/3/10  This 1932 season saloon is currently being offered on eBay.  Located in Morpeth.
View it here.

7/3/10  At long last, spring is just around the corner, and the start of the summer motoring season.
So time to get the car out, crank it up and get it ready for the open road once again.
We have three Spring Pub Meets organized so far, with at least one more to come.
Find all the details here.

7/3/10  Last summer, the Register held an online Midsummer Auction which was highly successful.
The highlight of the auction was this rare 1932 four-seater 'barn find' which found a good home.
So this year, we will hold another Midsummer Auction of cars, spares and automobilia.
Please send in details (with reserve and photo if possible) to the Register.
(Here you can view last year's auction.)

6/3/10  This 1934 saloon has surfaced in New Zealand where it is being offered for sale.
View it here.  Thanks to John McDonald and Peter Field for spotting this one.

4/3/10  This 1933 2-seater is being offered by dealer D. W. Mathewson up in North Yorkshire.
View it here.

4/3/10  Our very special Tenth Anniversary Yearbook will be published in June.
To reserve your copy, download the order form here.

2/3/10  Talking of M Types, here is one currently for sale in the Dordogne, France.

2/3/10  Young VSCC member Rachel King is looking for an M Type in which to compete in standard class VSCC trials and driving tests.
She is looking for a car in in any state (from a pile of bits upwards) but ready to go and classed as standard would be good too!
Contact via the Register if you think you can help.

  2/3/10 As reported 19/1/10 below, Les Heward owns this very tidy Minor saloon
and reported that, prior to his ownership, it had previously been stored in a skip.
For those restorers in need of a little encoragement, here is what Les started with.

1/3/10  Over in Northern Ireland, Peter Mann has his 1933 Minor 2-seater (chassis SV31597) for sale once again.
Last summer, after advertising the car, it suffered a bent rod, broken piston and scored cylinder liner.
Paul is therefore looking for a realistic offer for the car in its current state.
E-mail Peter if interested.  See the current advertisement here.
For those looking for somewhat more of a restoration challenge,
find the remains of a 1933 saloon on eBay.

25/2/10  The 1929 tourer seen above and offered for sale below (7/2/10) is now being offered on eBay.
View it here.

25/2/10  Member Simon Hyslop up in Dumfries is offering his 1934 2-seater AYF 22 (SV41783) for sale.
View it here.

23/2/20  Today we welcome Simon Candlin of Bath to the Register.  Having recently sold his early twenties Austin 12,
Simon is looking for a sound OHC Minor tourer to campaign in VSCC Light Car Section events.  Offers of help via the Register please.
Simon also owns this 1927 Humber 14/40.

23/2/10  Jeremy Evans over in Aberaeron is offering his 1929 M Type LJ 455 for sale (2M/617, engine MG481, first registered 4th October 1929).
Jeremy reports: "the car is now on the road (MoT etc.) and running in. I have done about 120 miles so it is getting a bit happier now.
I am looking for £17k o.n.o.  It is standard mechanically, early engine, early cam, 3 speed gearbox, transmission handbrake, rod/cable brakes
but with new Bob Hudson brake drums (cast in one piece in good old iron so no belling out on braking).
It is fully rebuilt - everything that needed doing has been done, although I did not make a terribly good job of painting the bonnet!
 It has its original (transferable) Bournemouth number, it has the later dashand as I did not have any wings
I have fitted cycle types.  The front ones turn with the steering.  No windscreen I am afraid."
Contact Jeremy for further details.

22/2/10  The February Newsletter is now available in the Members' Area.
If you are a member, and did not receive your copy via e-mail, please contact the Register.

20/2/10  The VSCC's Light Car Section will once again be holding their Welsh Weekend March 27th/28th.
Since this is the Register's Tenth Anniversary year, let's see if we can get a bumper entry together.
Regs and entry form can be downloaded here.

18/2/10  Today the number of SV Minors recorded in the chassis register reached 400.  This is nowhere near the likely total survivors,
but is something of a milestone for the chassis register.  Of these 400, 190 chassis numbers are recorded,
and these numbers are increasing at a good clip.
For comparison, we have 412 OHC Minors recorded, for which we have 319 chassis numbers.
For the M Types, we have 341 examples recorded, for which we have 286 chassis numbers.
If you can provide any of the missing chassis numbers or provide information on cars not currently listed
on the chassis register, (which may be found in the Members' Area), please contact the Register.

18/2/10  Today we welcome Tommy Jardine from southern Scotland to the Register. He is looking for a 1931 to 1933 SV saloon,
in restored condition, preferably in black, and preferably within a reasonable distance of his home in southern Scotland.
Contact Tommy if you can help.

17/2/10  Jen Lees' Minor 2-seater sold today at auction for £5,280 (see news item for 2/2/10 below)
Auction results may be found here.

17/2/10  Sadly, we must report the passing of member Les Simpson of Sheffield.  Les was an early member of the Register
and owned this CMS Supersports replica, based on 1929 chassis M6671.  Happily, Les's son Richard has taken custodianship,
is joining us, and will inherit his father's membership number 76.  Les rebuilt the car when Richard was 12 years old.
Welcome, Richard.

16/2/10  We extend a warm welcome to Rasmus Larsen of Oelgod, Denmark who joins the Register today
with this very smart Hundred Pound Minor, Z 9489, chassis SV1918.

15/2/10  Here's a mouth-watering collection of MMM MG's,
including an M Type Sportman's Coupe (CM/1973) and 2-seater GK 489 (2M/2125).
However, you may be surprised at the location - the Kawaguchiko Motor Museum in Japan.
Thanks to Kenji Matsuoka for forwarding this image and thanks to Hiro Nishio for
forwarding data on nine known M Types in Japan for the chassis register
which can be found in the Members' Area.

14/2/10  This Aberdeen-registered 1933 season Minor 2-seater has just been listed on eBay.
Only two owners from new and it has been off the road for forty years.
But it looks like it could be recommissioned with a clean and a service.
The car is located in Woodbridge, Suffolk.  View it here.  And many more photos here.

12/2/10  Update to the recent sale of the ex-Olive Willats fabric saloon KR 5670, reported 5/2/10 below.
The car is for sale again - view it here.

8/2/10  Today we welcome Derrick Gück to the Register.  Derrick lives in Florida and has three Morrises in the UK -
a 1931 Minor tourer, a 1937 Morris 8 tourer and a 1923 Bullnose.

8/2/10  Yes, this ghostly apparition is a Morris Minor!  Owned by Eduard Delgado in Barcelona, and currently under deep restoration.
1934 saloon, chassis 34/MS/42892 and registered BU-2252 in Spain.

7/2/10  Mark and Debbie Borman survey the dismantled Hundred Pound Minor (chassis SV 2277) belonging to Debbie's father,
who acquired it in the seventies from the Harrah Collection in the USA.  A complete restoration is about to commence in their
home town of Monroe, Washington - about 12 miles from VMR HQ!

7/2/10  As spring approaches, it seems that several Minors are coming on to the market, including the ex-Tony Gamble 1929 OHC tourer
SV 9091 (originally Bath-Registered as FB 8045), chassis M12591.  The original engine, U12700 has also been replaced by an earlier unit U2079C.
Auctioned by Bonhams in 2001, it had been in the previous ownership for forty years, when it was acquired from Clearwaters Garage in Salisbury in December 1966.
Tony sold this car to Kevin Mitchell, in Banstead, Surrey in 2008, but circumstances dictate that Kevin must now pass it on again.
Tony reports: "It is pretty well complete (minus exhaust system , from memory), but really needs a complete new body as the ash frame
has the dreaded "worm" in several places and the bodywork has rusted at the bottom of the doors.
It has, however, been completely retrimmed, and the seats and interior are quite good.  A new body would make it a reasonably good car.
The engine does run (or did run) but I don't know how sound it is."
Kevin is looking for offers on £3,750 .  His mobile number is 07957/288125 and his home number is 01737/350321.
Hurry - this car will go quickly!

6/2/10  And another saloon has come on the market - the ex- Rob Lawrance 1930 OHC saloon (M26625)
which was purchased in 2002 by a number plate dealer who stripped the car of its original number (BR 8362).
The car has been  fitted with a SV engine for many years, replacing the original OHC unit U27147.
First registered 22nd July 1930.  Find the full details here.  This is a trade sale.

6/2/10  This very smart and original December 1931 Minor was offered for sale by House of Carriages in July last year,
and is being offered again by Dorset Vintage Car Auctions at their sale on Thursday 25th March.
Also, Tony Barrett is offering an identical car for £4,000 - 01604/858939 (Northampton) - a.e.barrett@btinternet.com

5/2/10  Today we welcome two new members to the Register.
Richard Parker has joined the Register with the remains of three Minors - two OHC and a SV.
One of the OHC Minors is 1930 saloon VE 2782 (M20663).  Richard doesn't have any paperwork for this chassis,
but the Register was delighted to be able to provide Richard with the original brown logbook for this car!
The full and fascinating story of this, and Richard's other two cars will be included in M 135.
Our second new member today is Tony Eldridge who has recently acquired a 1934 saloon in need of restoration.
The car was last on the road in 1986 and was acquired from an elderly friend.
Thanks also to Chris Moorhouse for referring Tony, which means that Chris will receive a £10 discount on his Register subs.
Welcome both!

5/2/10  Many members will be aware of the late Olive Willats' fabric saloon, seen here in Italy on the FIAME Rally Della Laguna in 1964.
After being offered for sale for some considerable time, this famous car has now found a new home.
Read more about Olive and her car here.

2/2/10  Jen Lees is passing on her tidy and well-sorted 1933 Minor 2-seater, seen here climbing Prescott on the 2005 VMR Summer Rally.
The car, chassis SV26862, was first registered 10/7/33 and is being auctioned by H&H at The Pavilion Gardens, Derbyshire on 17th February.
Details here or contact the Register for more information.

31/1/10  Member Dave Manning is passing on his 1930 saloon restoration.
HX 7747, chassis M31567, engine 32370, first registered 31/12/30.
Find it here on eBay.

22/1/10  Bruce Murray is making excellent progress with his 1929 tourer (M11171) in Dunedin, New Zealand.
This car has a long and fascinating history which will be detailed in the upcoming 2010 Register Yearbook.

20/1/10  We have been able to arrange with the Bugatti Trust for them to open their museum for us at Prescott on the Saturday of our Summer Rally.
The museum is definitely a 'must-see' for those who may not have visited it before.
Entrance will be completely free for Rally entrants and their guests.

19/1/10  Welcome to new member Les Heward of Sheffield who owns 1933 saloon VE 8450 (SV27846).
Les tells us that be bought the car in pieces in the late 1980's - it had apparently been stored in a skip!
The ash frame was totally rotten, so was replaced, and the car was MoT'd in 1993 but has been little used since.
However, Les hopes to get it back on the road this year.  Les also owns the remains of a 1934 2-seater and a Morris 10/6 Special.
Welcome aboard Les!

18/1/10  Does anyone know the current whereabouts of this 1930 OHC Minor?  This was David Biles' first car, and he would like to trace it.
It IS still registered with DVLA.  The car was first registered in London on 19th June 1930 by Stuart & Ardern.
It is parked outside Maria Grey College, now part of Brunel University, and was registered to someone in Acton, London W3 until about 1962.
David then owned it from 1963 to 1965 in Ruislip, Middlesex and then sold it to someone in Northwood, Middlesex.
The picture shows a delightful example of a typical sixties student hack with all the usual modifications - Magna wheels, lost front bumper,
ex-WD head and sidelamps, SV radiator cap, Sparton horn sportily relocated up front, and the obligatory bald tyre!
Otherwise, the old girl has fared very well compared to the great majority of her contemporaries.
David reports that the car was great fun for him 45 years ago.  Can anyone say what state is she in today?

18/1/10  For those undertaking brake rebuilds in the near future, the Register is contemplating having another batch of brake parts made,
including the SV brake pulley gear shown above.  If you have a current or possible future need for kingpins, brake cables or pulley gear
for either an OHC or SV Minor, please contact the Register to discuss.

 15/1/10 Malcolm Elder and son Mark in Oxfordshire have this very smart 1934 2-seater for sale for £7,750. Chassis SV40171.

13/1/10  The restoration of 1930 tourer VA 9714 (M23264) is well advanced in the capable hands of Walter Watson up in Lanarkshire.
Walter sold this car to Edwin Farrall in September 2008, but re-acquired it last April, since when the restoration has continued apace.
M23264 will soon join a very small number of surviving 1930 season tourers on the road.
By 1930, demand for saloons was far outstripping demand for open models.

12/1/10  The VSCC's Light Car Section will once again be holding their Welsh Weekend March 27th/28th.
Regs and entry form can be downloaded here.

9/1/10  And by contrast, here is Trevor Wilkinson's 2-seater taking an airing earlier today in Bedfordshire.

9/1/10  New Year's Day at the Hatchgate.  This is the Bean Car Club meet, to which we were invited.
Mike Jones reports:
"Sadly no VMR cars there except for those in BCC too, but in the prevailing cold it would have been quite a long way for them.
The only Minor there was the Cookseys', seen entering left, in the shot of most of the other cars there.
That and my 12/50 and the Cowley on the right are all sporting radiator muffs!  Alan Wheeler came by Cowley (second from left).
I thought his Minor saloon would be the car of choice for the cold, and Pam Knight with friend Max in his 1970s Merc (boo!)
I gather their Minor fell foul of MOT tester for worn shackle pins/bushes.
If I'd known the weather was going to be sunny all day I'd have made the effort to go Minor - and avoided the hassle
of the 12/50's headlights trying to take the day off when I set off for home from our tea-stop!"

6/1/10  If you were planing to be at Brooklands for the VSCC's New Year Driving Tests and film show,
please be advised that this event has been postponed due to the prevailing weather conditions.
The VSCC has announced:
"Brooklands Film Show and New Year Driving Tests - 9/10 January 06
After careful consideration, it has been decided to reschedule these two events for 6/7 February.
Tickets issued for the film show will be valid for Saturday 6 February at the same time.
Anybody who is unable to attend on this revised date is asked to contact Ann Watson at Brooklands Museum
after Monday 11 January on 01932/857381 Ext 244.
Similarly, all tickets and passes issued for the Driving Tests will be valid for Sunday 7 February with the event timetable remaining unaltered.
If you are unable to take part on this revised date, please contact the VSCC Competitions Department."

6/1/10  Has anyone seen this Minor?  The son of a past owner is searching for it.  Last heard of around 1980.
Please contact the Register if you have any information.

4/1/10  The January 2010 Newsletter was launched into the ether today.  A copy has also been placed in the Members' Area of the website.
If you do not receive the Newsletters but would like to, please contact the Register.

2/1/10  It was a glorious day in the New Forest yesterday when Toby Sears captured this image of his saloon
on his return from the VSCC New Year's Day meet at the White Buck Inn, at Burley, Hampshire.

2/1/10  As we enter our tenth anniversary year, it may be of interest to members who have joined since then
to read the very first VMR Magazine from the year 2000.
Download it here.

1/1/10  With the start of our tenth anniversay year, what better time to join the Vintage Minor Register!
If you own a pre-war OHC or SV Morris Minor, or an M Type MG, and are not yet a Register member,
please consider joining over 200 other owners worldwide and becoming part of the Chassis Register.
Simply download the 2010 membership form here.

1/1/10  Mike Stubbings (6' 2") is instructed how to fit into a Minor 2-seater by Alister Reid at Brooklands earlier today.
Great day, great vintage turnout - cold but sunny - the perfect way to start the New Year!
Thanks for the great photo, Mike.

29/12/09  Today we welcome Kenneth Cox of Huntly, Aberdeenshire to the Register.  Kenneth has recently acquired
1930 saloon WE 9758 (M29355) from Dennis Wilson.  This saloon will join another 1930 saloon in Huntly - KR 958 owned by the Frendraught Estate.

22/12/09  As we approach the end of another splendid vintage motoring year,
it is only fair to recognize some of those who work so tirelessly behind the scenes to keep the wheels of the Register turning smoothly.
Today, therefore, we would like to honour the following for their undaunted loyalty and support throughout the past year:

Subscription Rate Advisors   Illgott and Gaines
Subscription Refund Administrator   Imelda Czech
Chief Accountant   Candace B. Rittenoff
Complaint Line Operator   Levon Hold
Sexual Harassment Counselor   Natasha Diaz
Morris Minor Back Seat Testers   Wilma Butfit and Fitz Matush
Back Seat Drivers   Veronica Lizzioncourse and Mischa Turnov
Member Care Representative   Kurt Reply
Fleet Manager   Lisa Carr
Transportation Coordinator   Orson Buggy
Assistant Chassis Registrar    Megan Model
Magazine Humorist   Nadia Geddit
Tyre Technologist   Yessir Issaflat
Summer Rally Entry Forecaster   Luigi Bord
Summer Rally Jazz Band Leader   Sasha Noyes

Stop by for more staff credits in the coming days.

22/12/09  With the UK in the grip of blizzards, here's a seasonal shot of the editorial 1929 fabric saloon in Germany
about ten years ago, and now owned by Tom Dixon.

17/12/09  The Members' Area now contains a full set of the original pre-war Morris service sheets for the Minor.
Grateful thanks to Sam Christie for providing these.

17/12/09  New member Peter Rowley's 2-seater turns out to be a saloon!  Originally registered WD 4182 in Warwickshire in 1932,
and with chassis number SV935, this is an early SV saloon.  Peter has owned the car for over thirty years and brought it to the States
eleven years ago.  Now retired, Peter is picking up the pace of the rebuild.  WD 4182 joins a number of other saloons
currently under restoration.  And Peter's membership bring to ten the number of US Register members.

16/12/09  Congratulations once again to Clive Hamilton-Gould who gained a Second Class Award
in the VSCC's winter driving tests at Westcott on Saturday 5th December.  Clive reports:
"It is a pity that no other Minors were entered as they are so nimble, only the brain struggles to keep up!
They are complex tests - only the winner in my class did not get a test wrong.
My car had more mud on it than after the Cotswold Rally!"
So, is any other Minor or M Type entered in the New Year Driving Tests at Brooklands on Sunday 10th January?

16/12/09 Today we extend a warm welcome to new member Peter Rowley, of LaGrange, Georgia, USA who is restoring a 1931 Minor 2-seater.
Peter's daughter Debbie has just purchased membership for him as a Birthday gift.
We look forward to talking to Peter and learning details about his Minor.

14/12/09  By popular request, a virtual pub meet has been opened for a third year on our forum for Christmas and the New Year.
Pop in for a pint and a chat with other members from around the world!

14/12/09  The December Newsletter was distributed today.  A copy may be found in the Members' Area.
If you did not receive your copy - please contact the Register.

8/12/09  Very little news at present, which is not surprising, given the season.
However, we have been invited to join the Bean Car Club at the Hatchgate, Bramshill for lunch on New Year's Day.
The BCC are regular supporters of out spring and autumn Hatchgate meets,
so this is an opportunity to reciprocate.
Contact the Register if interested in attending.

17/11/09  Up in Lancashire, Les Beardmore is making rapid progress on his boss's Hundred Pound Minor MU 3272 (SV2693).
This was the car that was rescued along with many other cars in parlous state from a field in Norfolk and
auctioned earlier this year by Keys.  Here is what Les started with and here is the car as found.
And here is the Daily Mail story of the discovery and auction.

11/11/09  The November Newsletter was distributed today and is also downloadable from the Members' Area.
If you are a member and did not receive a copy by e-mail, please let the Register know.

11/11/09  Hereford Vintage Auctions has these items on offer at their How Caple auction on 25th November.
Full auction details here.  We are happy to support HVA, as they are also strong supporters of the Register.
Thanks to Simon Hodgins for this snippet.

10/11/09  The Richard Buxton 2-seater JJ 9085 (see below) sold for £3,600 plus 15% commission.

3/11/09  New Zealand members Neville and Val Wilson are offering to co-ordinate with any members from New Zealand or Australia
who would like to visit the UK next August to attend the Register's Tenth Anniversary Rally.
Neville and Val may be contacted at (+64) 6/8340967 or via e-mail at neval.wilson@xtra.co.nz

3/11/09  Member Richard Buxton is reluctantly auctioning his 1933 Minor 2-seater JJ 9085 (chassis SV26464, engine 26069)
through Charterhouse Auctions this Sunday at their Bristol Classic Car Show auction at the Royal Bath and West showground.
The car has been in Richard's family since the War and comes with an Arnott supercharger which was once fitted to this car.
View the catalogue entry here (lot 291).

31/10/09  Today we welcome John Wheeley to the Register.  John lives in Great Yarmouth and is looking for
a Hundred Pound Minor two-seater similar to the one above that was just sold by Miller's Garage in Newbury.
If you have such a device surplus to requirements, please give John a call on 01692/670294 .

17/10/09  And this rare Cowley-bodied 1933 2-seater is being offered by dealer David Ekberg in Sandringham, Victoria, Australia,
where everything is upside down and SV Minors are far more rare than their vintage precursors.
Chassis SV29421, engine 30168.  More details here.  Thanks to Ewan Lambess for spotting this one.

15/10/09  This 1933 saloon is currently on offer over in Holland.
Original UK registration was AXU 976, chassis SV33231.  The chassis and coachwork have been fully restored,
including new leather, but the interior needs some completing.  Details here. Price €11,500.  info@potomacmotors.nl

13/10/09  Hearty congratulations to Clive Hamilton-Gould and Paul Rogers for achieving a Second on the VSCC Welsh Rally
last weekend, dropping only 8 points on the day - great job guys!

12/10/09  It was a day that favoured saloons at the Hatchgate yesterday, but the turnout was excellent,
 including this lineup, plus a brace of MMM MGs and a rare Calshott Special OHC Minor.
(Photo: John Nagle)

9/10/09  Just how we like to find them.  Joe Barnett's father pondering his discovery in the sixties.
His son Joe who recently joined the Register is now completing the restoration that his late father started.
We wish him good luck and many miles of happy motoring.

9/10/09  Congratulations to Mike Jones for his fifty years of membership of the Vintage Sports-Car Club.
Among other cars, Mike campaigns a 1930 Minor Semi-sports and is seen here accepting the coveted Roy Hogg Trophy
at our 2004 Summer Rally having just won the trophy in our navigation rally.  Mike is also a stalwart of the Bean Car Club,
for whom he is the magazine editor, and is working tirelessly to encourage BCC members to join us at Prescott in 2010.
Mike is member number nine of the VMR, so is also coming up on ten years membership of our own esteemed club.

7/10/09  With Christmas just around the corner, my company is already gearing up for Secret Santa gifts, socials and more,
which made me think about the VMR.  Living so far from England, I always like to receive Christmas cards from my old car friends,
particularly ones depicting old cars!

So here’s an idea which might be worthwhile and may well lead to new friendships.  Why not check out the Members’ List
and pick, say, ten members - perhaps ones that you don’t necessarily know, and possibly some that live far away around the globe,
and add them to your Christmas card list.  You might like to include a brief note and a few details/photo of your car(s)
and family along with some seasonal best wishes to them and their families.  Perhaps you could pick members
with cars identical to yours in year and type.  You might also look for members who do not have e-mail addresses,
and so have more tenuous communications with the Register.  You might also consider the Honorary Members,
all of whom have given far more to our sport than they have taken.  I would be happy to provide suggested addresses
if you don't want to plough through the Members' List yourself.

As for the holidays themselves, is there any interest in local Christmas dinners anywhere, or New Year's Day meets,
or even a Boxing Night Informal?!  If so, I will co-ordinate as best I can.

6/10/09  Our Barrington pub meet on Sunday was very well attended.  Apart from regulars,
Hugh Barnes brought several of his Austin Seven friends, and Keith Herkes from the EMGS
brought along his MG 18/80.  It was also good to see Michael Taylor and his vintage Austin 12.
Two more meets this coming Sunday - the Hatchgate, Bramshill, Hampshire and
the Four Horseshoes, Thornham Magna, Suffolk.
(Photo Keith Herkes)

6/10/09  Today we welcome Chris Warman to the Register.  Chris is looking for
a vintage Minor restoration project. Chris lives in Dinas Powys, near Cardiff.

1/10/09 Today we welcome Joseph Barnett of Great Barr, Birmingham to the Register
with his 1934 Minor 2-seater.  Joseph becomes member number 345.

1/10/09  The October Newsletter is now downloadable from the Members' Area.

30/9/09  Does anyone own up to building this very clever Minor saloon?  Find it here.

30/9/09  Barry Whitehead of Ratby, Leicestershire is parting with his 1933 Family 8 project - ANO 252 (MML8/32603).
Find it on eBay here.  Ends 6th October.  Or contact Barry directly.

30/9/09  Declarations of Interest are arriving for our Tenth Anniversary weekend at Prescott next August.
The latest to arrive in the post is from Annabelle Swain - daughter of Barbara Skinner and Honorary Member of the Register.
Annabelle has entered her 1929 Australian-bodied roadster which she brought back with her when she repatiated in 2005.
Her son is working hard to recommission the car in time for the Rally.

30/9/09  Today we welcome Peter Cowdrey to the Register with his Oxford-registered 1933 Minor 2-seater JO 6062 (SV24045).
Peter lives in North Fambridge near Chelmsford and has owned this car since 1973.

29/9/09  Member and M Type owner Hugh Barnes is commissioning a batch of M Type bonnet and front apron catches.
They will come as shown, finished in bright nickel or chrome to choice.  Please contact Hugh directly if you have an interest.
He is looking to place a firm order for production by Friday 16th October with delivery hopefully 2 - 3 weeks after that.
The cost will be £45 each plus P&P.

29/9/09  Robin Clifford is selling his 1933 Minor chassis SV31272 (engine 40580) on eBay.  Find it here.
The chassis includes a valuable 4-speed box - itself probably worth more than the current bid of £175.

27/9/09  Welcome to two new members this weekend.  Geoffrey Colquitt has joined us with his
ex-David Whittle 1929 tourer WE 6554.  Geoffrey is a VSCC member so we hope to see the continued presence
of this fine early tourer in Light Car and other events.  Wally McCormack also joins us with his M Type 2M/1094, PG 6768.

24/9/09  The password for the Members' Area of the website was reset today - to that provided with the last Magazine.
If in any doubt, please contact the Register.

24/9/09  Welcome to new member Peter Smith of Aylesbury.  Peter acquired his 1930 M Type, MG 770 (2M/1918) from his brother
last August and has spent the last year returning it to roadworthiness.  The final remaining task is to refit the reconditioned dynamo,
so we hope to see the car out and about again shortly.  It was last on the road in 2000, having previously been rebuilt
between 1984 and 1989 by Peter's brother.

21/9/09  The VSCC held their traditional and ever-popular driving tests at Madresfield yesterday,
and Francis Sanders entered his late father's Minor in his first ever competitive event.
Clive Hamilton-Gould reports:  "We sorted Francis Sanders' Minor which is now going very well and he followed me to Madresfield
where he did his first competition in the car.  He was doing well but could not see much going backwards!
No results yet but he must be best Minor if he does not win an award.  No others entered.

21/9/09  After the house move, VMR HQ is up and running again.
All went smoothly and e-mails/forum posts are being answered as fast as possible.

11/9/09  A quick update from VMR HQ, which will be moving tomorrow to 13416 Kellogg Lake Road, Sultan, WA 98294, USA.
                     The pre-move chaos is the reason for not posting much news lately - we shall be off internet from tomorrow until next Wednesday
           when we shall (hopefully) be back up with satellite internet (no cable up in the mountains).  Very quickly, this weekend will see our first Rally in Holland -
             Halbe Tjepkema has worked hard to organize - we have three Minors traveling today from the UK.  Also, it is the Beaulieu Autojumble this weekend,
        and many members will be attending.  Hunt down Toby Sears, who will be flying the VMR flag on stall at R327/328 - he'd be delighted to meet other members.
    There WILL be an autumn pub meet at the Cock Inn, Peatling Magna, Leicestershire, hosted by Brian Maeers. 18th October.  This meet needs your support!  Please
      come along if at all possible.  Everyone should have received their M133 Magazines and Yearbooks by now - thanks to Bev Hicks and Ewan Lambess for forwarding
         well over 200 envelopes.  I have also finally found time to post various spares to various members - so if you are expecting parts, they are on their way now!
          Finally, included with M 133 were Declaration of Interest forms for our 10th Anniversary Rally next year - please return these ASAP so that we can gauge
                 interest and make plans.  So far interest has been strong, and we have just hears that the Wolseley Hornet Special Club will be joining us.
Signing off until later next week.

27/8/09  Meet the Grey Ghost - RB 6600.  The gent on the right, sitting on the passeneger door, took his driving test
in this car shortly after the War.  Yes, there are six people in the car - but is it an OHC tourer or a 1932 chassis?
Answers on the back of a ten bob note please.  The gent on the right is Clifford Wright and he is still very much
with us and excited to tell the story of his beloved Minor which will appear in the next Yearbook.

26/8/09  This Hundred Pound Minor is currently for sale by Millers Garage in Newbury for £5,995.
Details here.

22/8/09  And the first new member to take advantage of the half subs for the rest of 2009 is Mick Bennie,
whose smart red Australian Minor appears below.  Welcome Mick!

21/8/09  A reminder that anyone joining the Register between now and the end of the year will only pay half of the annual subscription.
Also, existing members who refer new members receive a ten Pound discount for every new member they refer.
Indeed, one of our members is actually ten Pounds in profit for the year so far!
Download the Membership Form here.

21/8/09  And still they turn up - in Australia.  M3953 has recently been acquired by Mick Bennie of Epping,
Victoria from Ken Smith in Pambula, NSW.  The car dates from March 1929 and was originally
one of a batch of eleven export chassis.

20/8/09  Over in Northern Ireland, Peter Mann has his 1933 Minor 2-seater (chassis SV31597) for sale.
Unfortunately, since placing the advert on the internet,
the car has suffered a bent rod, broken piston and scored cylinder liner.
Paul is therefore looking for a realistic offer for the car in its current state.
E-mail Peter if interested.

17/8/09  In New South Wales, Ewan Lambess is making progress with his recently-acquired chassis of Y329 - see news item for 13th June below.
The chassis, which came in two halves, has now been welded back together again!

16/8/09  Debbie and Mark Borman finally exhumed their Hundred Pound Minor from its lair above their spray shop in Redmond, Seattle, yesterday.
The car had been gathering spray dust for twenty six years, so required a good air blast before loading up and hauling back to their home workshop.
The car's history is fascinating, having been acquired by Debbie's father in 1984.  Prior to that it formed part of the standby stock of the Harrah Collection
which was sold in 1978.  Harrah acquired the car from a private owner in New York, but the history prior to that was unknown - until yesterday.
Among the parts were the original British number plates - OU 8760, confirming that the car was first registered in the spring of 1931 in Hampshire.
Further research is now under way to see if we can discover some of its English past, and a full restoration will now commence.

Black Bess climbs Kop Hill in 1925

14/8/09  The Register has been invited to a commemorative climb of Kop Hill over the weekend of 26th/27th September.
Kop Hill, near Princes Risborough Buckinghamshire, was a speed hill climb for motorcycles and motorcars between 1910 and 1925.
The Register is planning to attend on Saturday 26th - members may either take part in the commemorative run or simply to spectate.
If you would like to enter, then we recommend you send in your entry as soon as possible as numbers are limited.
Full details and an entry form may be found here.  If you intend to attend in any capacity, please let the Register know,
so that we may co-ordinate lunch which will be at the Peacock at Henton.

14/8/09  The August Newsletter is now available in the Members' Area.

12/9/09  Peter Widdison took his SV Family 8 along to the Crich Tramway Village's 1940's weekend
last weekend.

11/8/09  The Register received the folowing this morning.  Please feel free to respond to Pam, and offer a suitable donation in return.

"My name is Pam Brew, I am part of the comittee of my local scout group.
An elderly local man has donated some bits and bobs including:
An undated operators manual for the Morris Ten Four and Twelve Four
A 1942 Operation Manual for an Morris Ambulance
A handbook for the Morris Oxford series 3
A 1941 Morris 10 hp Light Utility car illustrated list of spare parts along with some lubrication diagrams for Morris Oxfords series 1 and 2
These are not in great condition so no use to a book collector, I just wondered if any of your members or enthusiasts would find them useful?
 My e-mail address is pbrew935@btinternet.com"

9/8/09  The Morris Register held their annual Summer Rally at Thoresby Hall this weekend.
Tony Gamble visited yesterday and took these photos.
These three Minors were present - long wheelbase models outnumbering the single SWB car
and no vintage examples present!

6/8/09  Declarations of interest are now being gathered for our Tenth Anniversary Prescott event, and may be downloaded here.
Please return your form as soon as possible so that numbers can be assessed and planning made accordingly.

4/8/09  There is major news regarding our 2010 Summer Rally which will mark the tenth anniversary of the Register.
In addition to the traditional Navigation Rally/Scenic Tour and social events, we will be returning for a third time to Prescott
for a Vintage Garden Party and day of untimed climbs of the hill – the previous two occasions being in 2003 and 2005.
Saturday 24th July has been booked with the Bugatti Owners Club and we were very lucky to be able to secure the last
of 30 days for 2010 that the club is permitted to use the hill for noise reasons.  Of course, the cost of the hill and associated costs
of insurance, etc. have risen substantially since 2005 and so the following strategy regarding entries is being adopted.
Provisional declarations of intent will be sought between now and the end of 2009.  If a threshold number of provisional entries are received,
then the deposit to the BOC will be paid by the due date of 31st December.  If not, then the hill booking will be cancelled.
As in 2003 and 2005, several other clubs are being invited to join us on the day – most notably the VSCC, MGCC, EMGS and MSG.
A provisional booking form will be available shortly.  So dip your finger in engine oil and write 24/7/10 on the garage wall!

3/8/09  And we would also like to extend an equally warm welcome to Caz Lester of Stoke Prior, Leominster who joins the Register
today with his Oxford-registered 1934 saloon UD 5962 (SV33436).

3/8/09  We extend a very warm welcome to Anne and Richard Bryant who joins the Register with their fascinating 1932 Minor van.

2/8/09  Congratulations to Toby Sears who annexed the Roy Hogg Trophy at our Summer Rally yesterday - by just half a point!
The weather was wet on Saturday, but all were cheerful - and there were no official protests!
The buffet dinner on Saturday nightat the gardeners Arms also went off well, and the landlady remarked
to me what a lovely group of people we were.  She must have confused us with another party.
In other weekend news, Paul Rogers had an 'off' at Prescott on Friday in his 30-98 when he ran into the tyre wall
and deranged the front axle fairly comprehensively.  Thankfully, Paul is OK, and rumours that Michael Schumacher
will be standing in for him are being officially denied.

26/7/09  Gordon Smiths' mother and grandmother.  The huge load of luggage perhaps explains why the engine is being coooled!
With acknowledgement to Gordon's grandfather, Chief Yeoman of Signals George Smith RN, who was the photographer.
More on this car and the family in M 134.

22/7/09  Dave Whittle may be selling the ex-Philip Knight, ex-John Peckham, ex-Paul Harris 1929 tourer,
chassis M9738, engine 9630, first registered 10/10/29, rebuilt 1976.
Update - David has now sold the car to a VSCC member - more details anon!

Flashback to the 2002 VMR Summer Rally - eight vintage Minors await the start

20/7/09  Just under two weeks to our Summer Rally.  Tickets have been posted to entrants - all except the
VSCC Prescott tickets which will be distributed by hand on the Saturday of the Rally.

19/7/09  Ted Spiller (see 9/7/09 below) took his Minor 'The Red Bomb'
to Newby Hall yesterday and won fourth prize agaist some far more illlustrious vintage mounts.
Well done, Ted!

13/7/09  Less than three weeks until our Summer Rally!
If you have not yet entered, but wish to do so, please e-mail your intentions without delay
so that tickets can be purchased and catering number finalized.

9/7/09  Today we are delighted to extend a very warm welcome to the Reverend Ted Spiller
who joins the Register with is modifed 1931 Hundred Pound Minor 2-seater.
Ted, who lives in Thirsk in North Yorkshire owned this car back in the sixties
and recently rediscoverd and re-acquired it.
Here it is seen at Otterington Hall in June.

1/7/09  The electric newsletter for July was launched into the ether this evening and is also available for download in the Members' Area.

29/6/09  Congratulations to Laura Hamilton-Gould and navigator Clive for achieving only one of two First Class awards in yesterday's
VSCC Light Car Section's Summer Rally.  Other entrants were Robin Harcourt-Smith in his CMS Special, and Brian Maeers
also entered the Touring Assembly on one of his tourers.
The full results may be viewed here.
Photos here.

29/6/09  By pure coincidence, the ex-George Bryne Hundred Pound Minor featured
on the front cover of M 133 (below) is to be auctioned on 19th July by Charterhouse Auctions in Dorset.
Here is the link.

28/6/09  Magazine M 133 is now available for download in the Members' Area.
Printed copies will be on their way to members shortly.

28/6/09  Today we welcome M Type owner Garry Waiting to the Register.

23/6/09  We heard today via Chris Lambert from a John Richardson who lives in Thirsk, North Yorkshire.
He has a friend, the Reverend Ted Spiller who owns a 1932 two seater.
John says that Ted doesn't have long to live as he has kidney cancer
and wants to attend the VMR Summer Rally in his car.
BUT his car is missing a hood frame and the purpose of the contact from John Richardson
was to establish if we could help find one or provide him with a set of drawings.
He would then make up a frame for Ted (John is a retired coachbuilder) prior to the Rally.
So, can anyone help with a detailed drawing or even better - could an original frame
be borrowed temporarily to use as a pattern?  Or even better still,
has anyone got a spare frame and/or sidescreens?
If so, please contact the Register immediately.  Thanks in advance.

22/6/09  We extend a warm welcome to Bruce Sharman of Western Australia who joins the Register
as he is about to acquire the remains of three OHC Minors in his locality.
All three were previously unknown to the Register - two were export chassis, and the third was a saloon.
Also in the haul is an Australian roadster body.  We look forward to learning more once Bruce has
recovered these these cars.

21/6/09  Our online Midsummer Auction concluded successfully this evening.
In particular, congratulations to Toby Sears for successfully bidding on the 1932 tourer!
Sincere thanks to all who offered lots and to those who bidded for them.
Sellers and winning bidders will be contacted shortly by e-mail
with instructions for concluding their transactions.
Thanks again everyone.

15/6/09  The Register received this invitation today from the MG Car Club:

The Gold Cup Center's Summer Concours d'Elegance
Petwood Hotel, Woodhall Spa, Lincolnshire - Sunday 16th August

The Chairman and Committee would like to invite the Vintage Minor Register to take part in this annual event
in the delightful grounds of the Petworth Hotel; and we have arranged for "After the Break" to play for us on the terrace overlooking the cars.
We do hope that you will be able to accept this invitation on behalf of your members,and ask you to publicize it in your Club magazine.
A copy of the invite and entry form are enclosed, and further copies are available here.
It would be appreciated if you would confirm your Club's acceptance of this invitation by 17th July.

Yours sincerely,
Mike Hewson
Competitions Secretary & Secretary of the Meeting
http://www.mgcclincolnshire.co.uk

Mike is a longtime VMR member, owning the ex-Captain McCloud MG Q Type-engined Morris Minor fabric saloon.
So let's see if we can give Mike and the MGCC some support - right?
Please let the Register know if you intend to enter.

13/6/09  Congratulations to Ewan Lambess of Lochinvar, New South Wales, who has just returned from a 1,900-mile
round trip to collect a 1929 Minor project, chassis Y329 - one of only 14 known surviving
Y-chassis Australian export Minors in captivity.  The car will join Y581 - Ewan's other Minor.

12/6/09  Today we welcome Melvyn Tubb of Sutcombe in Devon to the Register. Melvyn owns a very special Hundred Pound Minor.
He bought the car for fifteen Pounds in the mid sixties and rebuilt it himself.  It was used as his only car until about the early seventies.
Unfortunately, it has been unused since and since then its condition has deteriorated markedly.
However, Melvyn has recently been fired with enthusiasm and, as he is now retired and has more time on his hands,
and has started to rebuild her again.  Welscome Melvyn and we look forward to helping you with the rebuild.

11/6/09  A reminder to get your Summer Rally entry form in as soon as possible so that a host of planning issues can be completed
including catering numbers, group tickets, etc.
Download the entry form here.

11/6/09  Four more lots have been added to the Midsummer Auction today, and more are in the pipeline.
If you have any items to sell, simply e-mail details to the Register.

10/6/09 The June Newsletter is now downloadable in pdf format from the Members' Area.
Any member who has an e-mail address and who has NOT already received an e-mailed copy, please contact the Regsiter.

10/6/09  Today we warmly welcome Nigel Hawkins to the Register.  Nigel recently acquired this 1929 coachbuilt saloon, M12504
that was recently been imported from New Zealand.  It was offered for sale there in February as part of an estate clearance
and imported by Andrew Booth at Orchid Cars.  Now it lives a starting handle's throw from Ken Martin.
The car is interesting, in that it appears to have originated as a fabric saloon and has subsequently been paneled.
The production of coachbuilt saloons commenced in September 1929 with chassis M12739,
so this lends weight to the argument.  The Genome also confirms that M12504 was bodied
at Cowley - not in New Zealand.

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The Vintage Minor Register - it's about time