Serving the Pre-War OHC and SV Morris Minor and M Type MG
Membership is open to the owners of all pre-war cars

Patron: Lady Tanya Field

The Vintage Minor Register is proud to support Midlands Air Ambulance

Renew your subscription for 2025 here.

The Latest News from the Register

16th October 2024  Today we welcome Mark Measures of Craven Arms, Shropshire to Register membership.  Mark owns this lovely 1936 Riley 12/4 Lynx JB 8887, which he brought along to our monthly pub meet at the Fountain, Tenbury Wells last night, where a good time was had by all.  Mark acquired the partially-restored car from Geoff Hooker in 2020 and then followed a full restoration by Riley expert Neil Reading with the engine rebuilt by G. Bland Engineering of Barnsley, Yorkshire.  Welcome, Mark.

14th October 2024  Today we welcome Barrie Carter to Register membership.  Barry may well be known to you as a longstanding and highly-respected dealer but has acquired this 1933 Minor saloon XXG 270 (SV21191) for his private collection.  Welcome, Barry.

4th October 2024  Today we extend a warm welcome to David Hughes of Caxton, Cambridgeshire who joins the Register with his 1949 M.G. TC and Austin 7 Ruby.  David entered his TC in Pre-War Prescott 2022 but we have not seen his very smart Ruby yet.  Welcome, David.

3rd Oktober 2024  The poster says it all!  All owners of pre-war and interesting cars warmly invited to our autumn pub meet at the Old Bull, Inkberrow, Worcestershire WR7 4DZ on Sunday 20th October.  Let's see if we can assemble a good Minor lineup this time.  I'm planning to bring my 1929 fabric saloon from Ludlow, aiming to arrive around eleven ack emma.  Also, don't forget our new monthly evening pub meet at the Fountain Inn, Tenbury Wells WR15 8TB on Tuesday 15th October (and on the third Tuesday monthly heading forward).
Plan to arrive around six pip emma.  All pre-war and interesting cars most welcome.

27th September 2024   This week, we welcomed Philip Brown to the Register with his Morris 8 2-seater.  Phil, who lives in Cheltenham, acquired the car from Barrie Carter last year, and it replaced his 1934 Riley Kestrel.  The 8 is fitted with a Series E engine and gearbox, which, although not original, has the advantage of shell bearings.  Evidently the car previously belonged to an elderly gentleman and he and his wife towed it behind their campervan to take it to shows.  Hopefully it will  now cover more miles under its own power.  Welcome to the Register, Phil.

22nd September 2024   Here is a rare opportunity to acquire an original Semi-sports Minor.  Over in Hamburg, Germany, Volker Tilly has his example for sale.  Volker has owned and enjoyed the car for many years, having originally bought it to provide a spare engine for his M Type!  But he soon realised that the body was not home-made, but a genuine Semi-sports.  The chassis is M31487, engine 31943.  Full details here.

12th September 2024   And today we welcome Huw Davies to membership with his 1932 M.G. D Type RX 9867 (D0353).  This car has extensive competition history from the day it was delivered and an article describing its fascinating history and pre-war competitive exploits will appear in our Autumn magazine.  Welcome, Huw.

11th September 2024   Today we welcome Ron Warr to Register membership with his 1934 M.G. PA, seen here last weekend on our Escape to the Lakes Rally alongside Roger Davies' similar model.  Both cars aquitted themselves admirably in the lakes, including the climb of Honister Pass.  Welcome, Ron and Barbara!

29th July 2024   Today we welcome Peter Rowland of Saxthorpe, Norfolk to the Register with his 1939 M.G. TB, seen here at the Norwich Aviation Museum.  Peter has very little history of the car, having bought it as a project from Andy King a couple of years ago.  Can anyone add more?  Welcome, Peter.

24th July 2024   I would very much like to invite owners and enthusiasts of all the cars that survived the War to join this club.  We were founded 25 years ago to support and promote the vintage Morris Minor, a stout little vintage light car that had been all but forgotten.  The club grew rapidly and in 2003 we organized our first gathering at Prescott.  To be able to pay the substantial fee to hire the hill, we invited other pre-war car clubs, including the VSCC, to join us - which they did.  Three Prescott meets later, we met in 2010 and the then Prescott manager, Ian Patton, offered me an annual slot at Prescott if I would organize an all-comers pre-war car weekend.  That was the genesis of Pre-War Prescott which propelled the club to the forefront of the pre-war car world.  The result was that the Register became an organization to promote and support all pre-war cars and now we are able to organize weekend rallies like Pre-War Ludlow that so many enjoyed last weekend.  If you would like to support us as we plan more such rally weekends, I would happily accept membership applications from owners and enthusiasts of all those cars that survived the War, be they Austins or Alvises, Bullnoses or Bentleys, and we have several of these in the club already.  If you would like to join us, or simply learn more about us, please e-mail me at vintageminor@gmail.com.  Thanks so much, Ian Grace, Register founder.

24th July 2024   We extend a warm welcome to John Bate who joins us with his 1930 Minor fabric saloon FH 7004 (M27047), seen here at Walcot Hall on Sunday (Phil Jones).

23rd July 2024  This was the scene at Walcot Hall in Shropshire on Sunday when we held our Vintage Picnic as part of our Pre-War Ludlow weekend.  A superb weekend was had by all and the Herefordshire and Shropshire countryside was graced by around sixty Edwardian, vintage and pre-war cars, among many Morrises.  Many more pictures will be posted to the Forum shortly and a full report will be included in our Summer Magazine which will go to the printers in the next couple of weeks.  (Gracefoto)

17th May 2024  I am delighted to announce that the Register's new designated charity is the Midlands Air Ambulance.  When elderly Belgian couple Gaston and Annie Lenaerts left Pre-War Prescott last July, they were involved in a horrendous collision in their M.G. PB just a few miles from Prescott.  Gaston suffered multiple injuries, but his wife Annie suffered life-threatening injuries and rescue services took over two hours to extricate her from the wrecked M.G.  She was airlifted from the scene to Bristol where she immediately underwent a twelve hour operation that saved her life and both of her legs.  If it were not for the air ambulance that evening, which turned out in decidedly marginal weather conditions, it is doubtful whether Annie would have survived a road journey to Bristol.  We have proudly supported the RAF Charitable Trust for fifteen years, but in the light of this truly miraculous rescue mission, we feel the time is now right to switch our designated charity.  We look forward very much to working with and supporting this vital and life-saving service and paying back, in some small way, our incalculable debt of gratitude to the Midlands Air Ambulance and their incredible team of pilots and medics for their vital mission.

13th May 2024  The magnificent Walcot Hall in Shropshire will play host to our Vintage Picnic on Sunday 21st July and will form part of our Pre-War Ludlow weekend itinerary.  An elegant Georgian country house owned by Clive of India, Walcot Hall dates to the Elizabethan period, but the original house was remodelled after Clive purchased the estate on the advice of his uncle, Sir Francis Dashwood of Hellfire Club fame.  Picnics will be provided against advance order by the Ludlow Kitchen, adjacent to the Sunday start.  Ordering details will be added to the Rally web page shortly.

21st January 2024  As I have mentioned before, our repatriation to Blighty in June will open up the opportunity to mount spring and autumn Register gatherings – perhaps smaller, more relaxed and more intimate than the main event of our Summer Rally, but no less enjoyable, and in turn affording the prospect of gathering in locations around the country that should be more accessible to members and Register friends too far flung to reach Ludlow.

To that end, we are truly excited to announce that we will be organizing an Autumn Escape to the Lake District, over the weekend of Friday 6th to Sunday 8th September. Ten years ago, we ran a rally based on the Grange Hotel on Loweswater, Cumbria. Eighteen bods took part with six vintage cars and a couple of moderns and I have to admit that, for Jayne and I, it was one of the most enjoyable Register gatherings that we have ever organized. (Full disclosure - I have stayed at the Grange since the late seventies when, as a student, I visited with my Mum to spectate for several years on the VSCC Lakeland Trial and our visits can still be found in their Visitor’s Book!) There was ample time to relax, chat and enjoy the stunning scenery of the Lakes. So we are going to do it again! This time, there will perhaps be a few more entrants, but we will work to ensure that the relaxed spirit of that first Lakes weekend is perfectly preserved.

There is hotel and self-catering accommodation, plus further accommodation in the local area. There is also plenty of trailer parking. There is also additional accommodation at the cozy and historic Kirkstile Inn in Loweswater village. Also the nearby Scale Hill Inn, which includes dog-friendly cottages. There is also camping just behind the Grange at Askhill Farm.

I’ll have more to share over the next few months, but for now, do get in touch if you think you would like to join us, so that we can gauge likely numbers and refine plans. All pre-war cars warmly invited! And feel free to book your accommodation (we suggest Friday to Sunday nights inclusive). We have booked into the Grange already.

The historic Ludlow Castle with the Shropshire hills beyond - Ludlow will be the venue for our Pre-War Ludlow rally weekend 20th/21st July

1st January 2024  First of all, may I wish all of our members and friends of the Register a wonderful New Year.

We have an exciting year ahead, the highlight of which will be Pre-War Ludlow - our Summer Rally in Shropshire, Herefordshire and the Welsh Marches.  The web page for the weekend can be found here.

6th August 2023  A rare opportunity has arisen to acquire an early nickel radiator Minor tourer.  Oxford-registered in April 1929, WL 6501 is being offered by Pam Knight.
The car needs some reconditioning, but under the bonnet is an engine that was totally rebuilt to M.G. standards by Ollie Richardson and is not yet run in.
The car has also been authentically re-wired.  Pam is asking a very reasonable £6,250 for what will make a super vintage Minor after a gentle running restoration.
Contact Pam for further details.  The car is centrally located at Cookham, near Maidenhead.

6th August 2023 This week we welcomed Barry Smith to Register membership.  He recently acquired the 1931 fabric saloon LG 6677 (M33466), first registered 29th April 1931,
and as such was one of the last fabric-bodied Minors to have left Cowley.   This car, which is in highly original condition, was displayed in Jim Peacop's Mouldsworth Motor Museum for many years.
It was owned at that time by Tim Armitage who also had a Dellow in the museum.  It passed through the hands of Mike Hobday, who offered it in 2006.  It was acquired by Derek Hardiman
from whom Barry collected it a couple of weeks ago.  The car has a reputed mileage of 4,370 miles.  As can be seen above, the original fabric will require replacing,
but the car has super potential and it will be good to see another original fabric saloon back on the road before long.

17th June 2023  Our Summer Rally weekend is now just four weeks away!  We currently have a creditable 14 Minors entered among the 200 entries for the weekend.
Planning is virtually complete, although entries remain open for all three days.  Full details of the weekend can be found here.

ALL pre-war cars are warmly invited to enter or join us on the day.

If you have any questions regarding the day, or the full rally weekend please contact us for assistance.

Enter online here (entries or spectators) or simply turn up on the day and pay at the gate.

16th May 2023  With just two months to go today, we are in the final planning stages for a fabulous day at Prescott and an equally fabulous weekend of rallying and fun in the glorious Cotswolds.
We have a tremendous variety of Edwardian, vintage and pre-war cars entered and of course entries remain open.

As of today, we have a tremendous 110 M.G.’s already entered as we look forward to marking the Centenary of M.G. in style and with an MG100 cavalcade up the hill in the lunch break.

And in a fantastic first for Pre-War Prescott, the RAF Battle of Britain Memorial Flight Spitfire and Hurricane are scheduled to beat up the Paddock at 1425 hrs!

If that is not enough to whet your appetite, we have Scenic Tours on Friday and Sunday, plus the Lewis & Nicholson team challenge on Sunday – the annual
and hotly-contested navigation rally competition between teams of Austin Sevens and vintage Morris Minors.

The Friday Tour includes an optional private visit to the Morgan Car Company factory in Malvern and will conclude with cream teas at the Beckford Silk Mill.
Our Sunday Scenic Tour and parallel Navigation Rally will conclude with cream teas at the gorgeous Stanway House where we will once again be treated to a launching of the 300 ft gravity fountain.

Full details of the three-way weekend – including our tours, the Navigation Rally and our social evenings can be found here.

And keep an eye here for breaking news as the weekend approaches.

If you have any questions regarding the day, or the full rally weekend please contact us for assistance.

Enter online here (entries or spectators) or simply turn up on the day and pay at the gate.

See you there!

30th April 2023  Despite the April showers, around two dozen cars turned up at the Old Bull today for our Spring Pub Meet in Worcestershire.
Five Minors were joined by a wide variety of other vintage and pre-war cars, and Joe the landlord fed 60!

Mike Jones (second from left) was presented with the Roy Hogg Trophy at our 2004 Summer Rally by host Heidi Maeers.

28th April 2023  More sad news, I'm afraid.  Mike Jones passed away recently.  He had been unwell since Christmas and was hospitalised for 6 or 7 weeks at the end.
A memorial service is being planned at the Church in Elsing, Norfolk for around end of June.  The Bean Car Club is planning a Commemorative Lunch in early August probably in Heckfield, near Reading.
Details will be circulated when finalized.  Mike was founding member number 9 of the Register.  We pass on our condolences to his family and friends.

24th April 2023 - Back to Africa - MISSION ACCOMPLISHED!  Peter Hills has finally accomplished his long-cherished dream of returning his 1929 Morris Minor
to the exact spot where he discovered it as a wreck decades ago and also visiting the locations of the many owners of it in its early days.
Peter reported this morning:
"[The photo above was taken] near to the spot where Mrs. Lang abandoned the Morris (M10228) in 1970 at No7 Azurite Road, Itimpe, outside Kitwe, Zambia
(see old number NK3177 - Northern Rhodesia Kitwe).  In spite of some skeptics and that it seemed not only a mad project driving the car from Mutare Zimbabwe to Zambia
totalling 1,506 miles we achieved the mission.  The project was postponed since April 2020, due to political issues, then Covid, a big end bearing failure, a cracked crankshaft
just before departure on 23rd March.  This apart from several changes in the Back to Africa Team due to various medical issues or availability.  Managing these changes was stressful
but with some measure of luck and co-incidences we have achieved an over 53 year dream.  Nothing would have been possible without my dear Sandy’s support
as well as many friends and their generosity.  Achieving this amazing experience of returning 'Chiriapala' home is so satisfying."
Hearty congratulations, Peter!

22nd April 2023 And today we also welcome Tim Milvain to Register membership.  Tim recently acquired 1929 M Type PG 1045 (2/M333) from Frank Ashley.
The car, as it is today, can be seen below (16th April), but here it is in 1967 when Frank bought it.  That was the start of 46 years in his ownership.
Tim will be at our spring pub meet next Sunday with PG 1045 and also at Pre-War Prescott in July, where this very well-known car will take its place in the MG100 Cavalcade.

22nd April 2023  Today we extend a warm welcome to Peter and Janet Chapman, seen here in their M.G. D Type (D0295), who join the Register with membership number V717.
Peter and Janet live near Malvern and are regular Pre-War Prescott entrants, either with their D or their Riley Gamecock.  They also own several other M.G.'s and Rileys.
Welcome Peter and Janet!

22nd April 2023  All members and pre-war car owners are cordially invited to the Old Bull, Inkberrow, Worcestershire next Sunday 30th April
for our annual lunchtime Spring Pub Meet.  The Old Bull is to be found just off the A422 between Worcester and Alcester.

16th April 2023  It is with great sadness that we must report that Frank Ashley passed away this morning after a short hospital stay.
He will be much missed by VMR, MMM, Morris Register (he was a founder with his much-campaigned M Type), VSCC, BOC and ACOC members, to name a few.
We send our sincerest condolences to his partner Thelma and the family.  This letter from Frank was published in our Spring Magazine.
(Photo - Norma Lambert)

16th April 2023  Chris Lambert, longtime organizer of the highly-recommended Pre War Minor Network, is offering his 1930 Minor Semi-sports for sale after 17 years of happy and active custodianship.
The restoration of VJ 3156 (M29128) was started in the very capable hands of Ashton Keynes Vintage Restorations for Brian Ellams and completed by Chris.
This is a tremendous example of the rare Semi-sports Minor 2-seater and is heartily reccomended. Contact Chris for details, more of which can be found here.

Catherine seen at the wheel, with daughter Emilia at her side.  Emilia has expressed a desire to learn how to drive vintage cars with the intention of gentle trialling, driving tests, tours and rallies.

14th April 2023 Welcome to new member Catherine Buck who joins us with her newly-acquired 1930 CMS special VG 3260 (M30850).
Catherine will be joining us at our spring pub meet on Sunday 30th April at the Old Bull, Inkberrow, Worcestershire as well as our Summer Rally in July.

Our 2022 spring pub meet was very well attended and another good turnout is expected this year.

14th April 2023  Our spring lunchtime pub meet is just over two weeks away - at the charming and historic Old Bull, Inkberrow, Worcestershire.
All very welcome - members or future members!

17th March 2023  Fantastic news this morning from the RAF BBMF.  We've been provisionally allocated a Spitfire AND a Hurricane, to display over Pre-War Prescott together at 2:25 in the afternoon.
What a sight and sound that will be!  To have not one but two BBMF fighters over Prescott is a tremendous first for PWP and underlines the massive level of support we receive every year from the Flight.

The allocation is provisional at this stage and will be confirmed in May, but the already-announced presence of the Flight at nearby RIAT for that weekend
gives me confidence that this provisional allocation will be confirmed, barring any catastrophic operational issue.

Because the hill must be closed during aerial activity, I will be requesting the BOC hold their lunch break slightly later this year, from 1:30 to 2:30
and the MG100 cavalcade to re-open the hill for the afternoon climbs as soon as the fighters have departed.

VG 2007 at the 14th Century New Inn Pembridge, Herefordshire on New Year’s Day.

8th January 2023  Here's wishing all members and friends of the Register a happy, healthy and prosperous New Year.

27th November 2022  Members, friends and all are most welcome to gather to see the New Year in at The Old Bull at Inkberrow for lunch or just a pint in good company on New Year's Day.
Joe Reed, the landlord is a Register member and owns a rare SV tourer.  Joe can be contacted at 01386/792428 if you have any questions regarding the catering or the beer, etc.
The full address of the pub is Village Green, Inkberrow, Worcester WR7 4DZ.
And another date for your diary - our spring pub meet will be held on Sunday 1st May at the Old Bull.

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5th November 2022  Two interesting 2-seater Minors - one OHC and one SV - are included in the Dorset Vintage and Classic action on 24th November.

VG 3260 (M30850) started life as a 1930 saloon.  Tony Gamble acquired a new CMS special ash frame from Gideon Booth and created this high-quality replica (see the frame below).
Auction details here.

AFZ 323 (SV31826) has had a chequered history, starting out  registered AMG 30, then 289 UXG and now AFZ 323.
This is the ex-Simon Tuke, Alister Reid, Roger Lucke car.
Auction details here.

VG 3260 at an andvanced stage of build with Tony Gamble in 2015.

1st September 2022  Welcome to Register membership to Richard Bullock (left), seen here recently receiving the keys of 1934 2-seater BPB 357 from seller Paul Ellis.
Paul will remain a Register member with his M.G. TC.

31st August 2022  An early fabric saloon has come on the market today.  RX 4207 (M4322) was laid down 22nd March 1929 and first registered in Berkshire on 10th April 1929.
Contact Robin Knott for further details.

19th August 2022  It is with great sadness that we must announce the passing of our founder member Max Dawkins.  Max acquired his beloved Minor buckboard in 2001
and campaigned it energetically for years.  He also became an authority on Minors and provided many of our antipodean members with help and spares.
We understand that the buckboard will be taken on my Max's son.  The Register extends our sincere condolences to his wife Jane and the family.

With just five weeks to go today to our Summer Rally and Pre-War Prescott, we are all set for a fabulous day at Prescott and an equally fabulous weekend of rallying and fun in the glorious Cotswolds.
We have a tremendous variety of over 200 Edwardian, vintage and pre-war cars entered and entries remain open.  Enter online here (entries or spectators) or simply turn up and pay at the gate.
The Battle of Britain Memorial Flight Avro Lancaster PA474 will arrive at 1415 hrs for its bombing runs!
If you have never visited Prescott, or Pre-War Prescott before, this is your time to experience this relaxing and unique annual event.

Full details of Pre-War Prescott 2022 can be found here.

Full details of the entire three-day rally weekend can be found here.

If you have a questions regarding the day, or the full rally weekend please contact us for assistance.

15th May 2022  Further to the early saloon for sale over in Holland mentioned on 8th May below, a 1930 OHC Minor tourer is being offered for sale
in Portugal.  Full details here.

9th May 2022  We are delighted to announce that Mintex is once again sponsoring our Summer Rally and Pre-War Prescott this year.
This is the third year of the partnership, for which we are extremely grateful.
Among much else, Mintex provides the brake shoes for the RAF Battle of Britain Memorial Flight's aircraft, including the Avro Lancaster PA474
which will grace the skies over Pre-War Prescott in July.  Read the full story here.

8th May 2022  Our spring pub lunch at The Old Bull, Inkberrow was blessed with bright spring weather and a tremendous turnout.
With a full car park, the overflow parked on the grass opposite.  Our best turnout yet.  Six Minors were in attendance, including Tom Swain
who drove his 1929 fabric saloon up from West Sussex.  Landlord Joe Reed also had his rare 1932 tourer out for the first time.
Thanks to everyone who turned up.  More photos can be found here and there will be a full report on the meet in the June Newsletter. (Peter McFadyen)

8th May 2022  This very smart early coachbuilt saloon - built in 1929 - is being offered for sale over in Holland.
A trophy winner at the Morris Register Belton rally in 1981, full details can be found here.

A sleeping beauty.  James Spiteri's 1931 Minor Semi-sports PL 6199 (M32961), first registered 24th March 1931.

7th May 2022  We are delighted to welciome James Spiteri of St. Austell, Cornwall to Register membership today.
James has recently acquired this Minor which, on the surface, looks like a crude home-made speical.  However, it didn't take us long to discover that this car is in fact
a rare surviving Semi-sports 2-seater, retaining many original features.  It is currently fitted with what is believed to be a late thirties Hillman engine.
James is considering his options for restoration, but the first thing to go will be those monstrous wheels!
James becomes Register member number 700.

30th April 2022 Everybody will be most welcome to come along to the historic Old Bull, Inkberrow, Worcestershire at lunchtime on Sunday 8th May to join us at our spring pub gathering.
The landlord Joe Reed reports that the engine rebuild for his SV Minor saloon (VSU 308, SV15890) is finally complete after eight months, so he will have his own car there for the first time.
Do join Joe to mark the auspicious occasion in the time-honoured publy manner.

A Tiger Moth’s view of the hidden gem of Colesbourne Park, the lake, arboretum and church

30th April 2022  This year, we are planning something very different from the usual Sunday pub lunch at our Summer Rally on Sunday July 17th.  We are planning a Vintage Picnic!
This is being organized at the hidden and seriously delightful Colesbourne Park in the heart of the Cotswolds.  We will gather on the formal lawns in front of the house.

Here is what you need to know:

You can bring your own picnic or you can pre-order sumptuous picnics and refreshments from Revills Farm Shop in Defford.
These picnics will be collected from the farm on Sunday morning so will be crisp, cool and fresh.
You place your order, and your picnics will be awaiting your arrival at the Park.  The Picnic Menu is available here.
will also be e-mailing it to everyone who has already entered.

Immediately adjacent to the Park is the Colesbourne Inn and also the very special Old Rectory restaurant for those who do not wish to picnic.
If you wish to take up one of these alternative options, you should pre-book lunch as follows:

The Colesbourne Inn (50 covers currently available)

The Old Rectory restaurant (25 covers currently available)

Fuel will also available at the Gulf station in Colesbourne on Sunday if your car also needs a top up.

6th April 2022  This interesting 1931 SV Minor saloon has come on the market in Holland for sale by member Albert Koolma and his colleagues Henri de Jong and Carst Koelman van Doornik.
This is a true 'oily rag' example of the early scuttle tank, black radiator sidevalve Minor.  The chassis number is SV3267, first registered UF 7502 in Brighton on 17th April 1931.
Find full details here.

17th March 2022  We are enormously proud to announce that we have been allocated the RAF Battle of Britain Memorial Flight's historic Avro Lancaster PA474 as air support at Pre-War Prescott on Saturday 16th July.
Weather and operational factors permitting, this iconic aircraft will grace the skies over Prescott and will serve as a reminder of the 55,000 Bomber Command personnel who made the ultimate sacrifice
during World War Two.

16th March 2022  With just over four months to go to our Summer Rally and Pre-War Prescott, planning is now progressing flat out and the latest information
can be found on the Forum.  We already have 154 wonderful Edwardian, vintage and pre-war cars entered for various elements of the three-day weekend.
If you have not already entered, you may do so by following the link on the Summer Rally web page.

19th December 2021 This 1931 OHC Minor saloon is being offered for sale by The Motor Shed Ltd., Bicester.  SV 8134 is chassis M33032, first registered 2nd April 1931.
Further details here.

18th December 2021  And welcome to Dickon and Liane Armstrong who joined the Register this week.  Liane bought this M Type (2/M1075) in August from Tony Bugbird
who had owned the car since November 1976.  The photo above  shows Robbie at the California Cup Autotests at Silverstone in 2004.
The M is built in the style of a Le Mans car but was originally a standard blue 2-seater sports, registered in Sidmouth, Devon.
Welcome Dickon and Liane, and we hope to meet you at our Summer Rally at Prescott in July.

6th December 2021  Today we extend a warm welcome to our newest members - John Lay and Jess Smale.
John and Jess co-own this delightful 1924 AC Royal and have entered it in our 2022 Summer Rally and Pre-war Prescott.
Register membership is open to owners of all pre-war cars.

16th November 2021 We are delighted to announce that the date for our Summer Rally 2022 is now officially confirmed as Friday 15th July to Sunday 17th July.
Entries are now open!  You can view the full details of the weekend and enter here.  If you have any questions regarding the weekend, please contact us.

Due to the huge popularity of our Friday run this year, we have now made the Friday run a permanent feature of the weekend.
On Friday 15th, we will head east via a number of places of interest to the impressive Victorian Hook Norton five-storey tower brewery where a ploughman’s buffet
will be available as well as tours of the brewery (with tasting!), and a visit to the brewery museum and shop.
The return run in the afternoon will take in more places of interest and conclude at the Plough at Ford for cream teas.

Pre-War Prescott 2022 will take place on Saturday 16th July and our traditional Navigation Rally and parallel Scenic Tour will take place on Sunday 17th July.

There is much more to announce as plans develop, so stop by here regularly to see all the latest news.

12th November 2021  This 1929 Minor tourer is being offered for sale on eBay by member Simon North.  The chassis number is M15076.
The car has a fascinating history.  Member Jon Streeter acquired the car from fellow Shropshire man Richard Shuker in 2016 and is ex-Arthur Hulnick of Brookline, Massachusetts, USA.
It was exported to Malaya when new in 1929 and found by an American GI after the war.  Arthur bought the car in the USA and subsequently sold it to Colin Pilkington in Missouri.
Colin shipped the car to the UK around 2002 to use in the UK.  It was registered in the UK as SV 9789 on 2nd September 2003.
However, when his mother in England died, Colin no longer had plans to drive it in England, so sold it via eBay, after it failed to reach its reserve at a Kings Lynn auction on 3rd September 2005.
John Downs looked after the car for Colin in the UK and handled the sale to Richard Shuker.  Finally, Jon Streeter sold the tourer to Simon North, who now has it for sale.

21st August 2021  Here's the latest PWP entry.  No, honestly!

It is a 1998 Massey Ferguson MF32 combine and will be on display in the Prescott Paddock along with other farm machinery.
I'm sure most of you will have seen the incredibly popular Amazon series Clarkson's Farm, and you also probably realise that Jeremy and his team have done more
to highlight the challenges facing our farmers than anything else.  So what more topical display could we have?  We will have a crew in attendance to show it all off and answer questions.
I must admit I'm really looking forward to seeing it as the only time I've been up close and personal with a combine has been when stuck behind one in a country lane at harvest time.
We've had some Prescott firsts over the years, including a Harrington motor coach and an Air Training Corps Vigilant gilder, and I'm certain this will be the first combine to visit Prescott.

14th August 2021  Apologies for the lack of website updates lately, but all spare hours have been spent putting together our Summer Rally which is now just four weeks away.

With just four weeks to go today to Pre-War Prescott, we are finally all set for a fabulous day and an equally fabulous weekend of rallying and fun in the glorious Cotswolds.
We have a tremendous variety of over 200 Edwardian, vintage and pre-war cars entered and entries remain open.  Enter online here (entries or spectators)
or simply turn up and pay at the gate.  We heard today that the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight Spitfire will arrive at 1419 hrs to liven up the proceedings.
And in the evening, proceedings will be further enlivened by the renowned Eureka Jazz Band who will be entertaining us at the Prescott Clubhouse at our evening buffet BBQ.

It has been a long and tortuous road to PWP 2021, which started as PWP 2020 back in 2019, but, after four reschedules, we are finally nearly there
and I’m sure the wait will be all the more worthwhile.  And there will be few if any restrictions, so as always, spectators will have full access to the Paddock, the hill, the displays and full catering.

If you have never visited Prescott, or Pre-War Prescott before, this is your time to experience this relaxing and unique annual event.
If you have a questions regarding the day, or the full rally weekend please contact us for assistance.

20th July 2021  One of the finest vintage Minors has come on the market.  It is the 1929 fabric saloon VG 2007 (M14258), restored over ten years by Halbe Tjepkema
in Holland to an extremely high specification and currently in the hands of arch Minor collector Tony Gamble in Yorkshire, who is downsizing his collection.
You can follow the restoration of this car on our Forum.  Contact Tony if interested.  The recently-reduced price is £10,750.

16th July 2021  An early OHC Minor coachbuilt saloon (TP 8399, M15256, laid down 21st October 1929) that left England's shores for Canada over half a century ago
has come on the market near Toronto.  The car was acquired in 1968 by Alan Sands of Toronto when he came across it in the Cheddar Motor Museum in Somerset while on holiday.
Amongh other documentation, it comes with an original British logbook and MoT, so registration recovery should be simple.  It was originally registered in Portsmouth in late 1929.
Regarding possible shipping to the UK, our member Ian Samuel lives only about 100 miles from the car and has kindly offered to facilitate shipping.
Who will step up to repatriate this early example of a Minor coachbuilt saloon?
Details can be found here.  The asking price is Can$8,900 or best offer.
Contact the Register for further information about this car and shipping assistance.
And see this Forum thread for more photos and background on the car.

Andrew Gilg, son of Cameron Gilg, and his wife at Pre-War Prescott 2012 trying out ANO 17 for size.
The car was in the ownership of Clive Holland at the time.

5th July 2021  David Molyneux of Ulverston, Cumbria is selling his rare 1933 Minor tourer ANO 17 (SV30846).
We've had this car at Prescott in the past, when the families of Gilg and Kay were reunited in 2010, as ANO 17 is the same type
of '33 4-seater as the Gilg and Kay expedition car.  It can be viewed here.

16th June 2021  As I am sure you are all aware, the current lockdown restrictions are placing an almost impossible strain on our Summer Rally weekend and Pre-War Prescott 2021.
And this week’s news from HMG is that the lockdown is likely to be extended to 19th July.
Therefore, after much consultation and consideration, I have made the decision to postpone Pre-War Prescott 2021 to SATURDAY 11TH SEPTEMBER, and the rest of the weekend accordingly.
The revised dates and full weekend particulars, including online entry facilities can be found here.

24th May 2021  Yesterday we held our first post-lockdown pub meet at The Old Bull, Inkberrow, Worcestershire.
Despite the poor weather forecast, there was a good turnout of Minors and pre-war cars, while others arrived in their moderns because of the heavy rain foercast.
A good time was had by all, and landlord and Register member Joe Reed made everyone very welome.
More photos and reports on the gathering can be found here.
In view of the success of this inaugrual meet, we will plan for another meet at this delightful and historic pub in the autumn.
(Photo - Roger Wasley)

9th May 2021  Today we extend a very warm welcome to Mark Burnett of SU who spotted Howard Dixon's SV Minor special VE 5919 (see 3rd May below) in our May Newsletter.
He acquired the car immediately and is delighted with it.  Here it is seen on its first Burnett family outing - the very minute it was unloaded from the trailer!
Longtime members will remeber that Mark and The SU Carburetter Company were sponsors of the early Pre-War Prescott events and their support was invaluable in getting
our annual pilgrimages to Prescott off the ground.

8th May 2021  Looking for a project - or two?  A pair of SV Minors are being auctioned online by H&H next Wednesday, 12th May.  The car above is OU 9888 (SV7924), first registered
5th October 1931.  The car comes with the chassis and remains of another SV Minor, registered NV 850, first registered 16th December 1931 (below).
Both cars are located in Conwy, North Wales.  View both here.

3rd May 2021  With the next step in the lockdown easing expected on May 17th, we are delighted to announce that the inaugural spring pub meet at The Old Bull, Inkberrow, Worcestershire
will go ahead on Sunday 23rd May.  If at all possible, DO come along, vintage car or modern, and make this inaugural VMR meet a success.
Everyone is invited – members or future members!  Gather from 11 a.m., and you assured of a very warm welcome, fine ales and great pub grub.

..

27th April 2021  And another interesting Minor comes on the market today.  This is Howard Dixon's 1931 SV Minor special.
As you can see, Howard has done a superb job of building the car.  Howard reports, "This newly built 2 seater has a rebuilt side-valve engine and 3 - speed gearbox.
All wheels rebuilt with new tyres.  New M Type exhaust system, springs and brakes.  New ash framed, light weight fabric covered body.
Aluminium bonnet, front valance and wings.  New upholstery and tonneau cover.  Many new parts.  Original registration on V5C.  Ideal VSCC starter car!"
Howard can be contacted here.

26th April 2021  In the same Vintage & Classic Car Auctions auction as the 5 cwt. van KR 8810 mentioned below is this really nice 1932 season Minor OD263 (SV5592).
This car was first registered 22nd September 1931.
Unfortunately it doesn't come with the Tiger Moth!   View it here.

VMR Honorary Member, the late Richard Francis Bonner Letts with his 1930 Minor saloon OG 6216 (M30467) which he acquired in 1948.
The Minor was Richard's only car until 1956.  He passed away on the 28th of December 2010, aged 82.

25th April 2021  Today we are delighted to welcome Quentin Letts to Register membership.  Quentin is the son of our late Honorary Member Richard Letts.
Richard acquired his Minor in 1948 (that's 73 years ago), and he recalled obtaining spares from Cowley - perhaps we should all try that source for our needs!
Quentin lives in Herefordshire and is hoping to bring this historic Minor to our Summer Rally in July - if he can sort a fuel leak.
Quentin may be familiar to you as a journalist and theatre critic.  Quentin takes up his late father's membership number 174.

24th April 2021 A rare and significant OHC Minor, the ex-Roy Hogg 5 cwt. van KR 8810 (M31930) is to be auctioned by Vintage & Classic Car Auctions on 20th May.
Roy will be well known to longstanding Minor enthusiasts as a pioneering Minor proponent since the early sixties.
When he passed away in 2001, the van was bought by Jim Worth but shortly afterwards, Jim contracted an eye problem and the van went to auction in 2004.
Since then, nothing has been heard of it and all attempts to locate it have failed.
So this represents a rare and unique opportunity for someone to acquire this extremely rare and historic Minor and bring it back into the Register.
Details of the auction, to be held in Stalbridge, Dorset can be found here.

5th April 2021  Here's another superb 1929 Minor fabric saloon that has just come up for sale.  This time it is the well-known and very early ex-Tony Gamble example SK 1508 (M1243).
The car was purchased from Tony by David Hall in October 2019 and since then he has carried out a great deal of work to bring the car to its current condition.
David is looking for £11,500 and can be contacted here.

30th March 2021  Today we welcome Jo Langford-Yates back to Register membership with her 1930 Minor tourer DV 3600 (M18960).
Jo is planning to bring her car to our Summer Rally but would like someone to convoy with her from near her home in Harston, Lincolnshire.
If anyone is planning to drive down from the approximate area, please let the Register know.

Geoff rounding the Pardon hairpin at Pre-War Prescott 2018

23rd March 2021 We extend a warm welcome to Geoff May who joins the Register with his 1934 Wolseley Hornet Special BLK 554 (chassis 155403).
Geoff has booked in for Pre-War Prescott in July which will be his third attendance at the event.
Geoff will also bring along his single-seater cyclekart replica of his Hornet - a true miniature masterpiece.
(This machine features in this short introductory cyclekart YouTube video which is well worth watching.)

22nd March 2021  Another long road ahead.
In Seattle, USA, Debbie Borman and her husband Mark (above) have been custodians of Debbie's late father's Hundred Pound Minor OU 8760 (SV2277) for many years.
Debbie's father bought the car back in 1977 as a non-runner.  The car was once owned by Mr. Harrah and displayed in the Harrah Collection, which is the United States National Motor Museum in Reno, Nevada.
(It is not known when it was shipped to the USA.)  Harrrah purchased the car originally from Joe Fass of Newark, New Jersey in 1965.  Mr. Harrah then sold the car to David Schultz of Olympia, Washington in 1973.
Mr. Schultz sold the car to Michael Gardner.  In 1977, Bob Bourgeois (Debbie's father) bought the car from Mr. Gardner.  Since then it has been stored at the family's Queen City supercar body shop in Capitol Hill, Seattle.
When the shop moved to Redmond, Washington in 1984, the car was stored on the roof of the spray shop where it remained until 2009 when the Bormans decided to restore the car as a surprise for Bob.
However, when Bob passed away on 2nd January 2015, these plans were shelved and the car was put back into storage.
Now the Bormans have finally decided to let the car pass to yours truly and a full restoration will commence shortly at VMR HQ.
Unsurprisingly over the decades, a few parts have gone missing, but otherwise it remains remarkably original.  The history of the car prior to 1965 is currently not known, other than
the chassis was laid down 12th March 1931 and the car was despatched from Cowley on 28th April.  However it was not registered in Hampshire until early 1932.
So the car saw its 90th Birthday ten days ago.

Below - loaded up when the car was liberated from the paint shop in 2011.

22nd March 2021  A long road ahead.  In Western Australia, member Gary Byfield has discovered and saved this tourer built on the June 1931 sidevalve export chassis SV5007.
Gary found the car on a farm half way between Northam and Goomalling about 30 miles from his home.  The farmer on whose land he found it told him the car was in the paddock
when he bought the farm a number of years ago.  He did not have any history for the car and did not know when it last ran.
The car is now completely stripped to the bare chassis as a total restoration commences.
Gary is Chairman of the York Branch of the VCC of Western Australia and also the manager of the York Motor Museum.
As found below:

21st March 2021  An update on the saloon below.  We had around fifteen enquiries about this car, and today it was bought by the first responder - member Haydon Edwards
and will be joining his Hundred Pound 2-seater up in Tyne & Wear.  Haydon was the first to respond, so was given first refusal.  He is already planning a full restoration.
Now if only someone could find a barn with another dozen or so!

18th March 2021 And still they turn up.  This 1930 Minor saloon has popped on to the Register radar.  First registered 30th December 1930, M31741 was originally registered
NG 50, but sadly the number has been sold and is now BF 9470.  The current owner has owned it for the past fifteen years, but is only the second owner.

UPDATE  This car is available for sale and risks being CUT UP if it isn't found a new home quickly, as its accommodation has been lost.
Much work has been completed including a full engine rebuild.
The car is in Stratford-upon Avon.
If interested in saving it, contact the Register immediately.

16th March 2021  New member and landlord of The Old Bull at Inkberrow Joe Reed brought his nrecently-acquired 1932 Minor tourer out for the camera this morning.
We will be inaugurating regular Register pub meets as this historic inn, made famous by the BBC series 'The Archers', as soon as restrictions permit.
VSU 309 (chassis SV15890) is a rare 1932 4-seater tourer and was originally registered GV 776.  Since this number has not been reallocated, it might be possible to recover it.

15th March 2021  We are delighted to report that once again we have been allocated air support by the RAF Battle of Britain Memorial Flight for our Summer Rally.
This year we have been allocated one of the Flight's Spitfires, but won't know which one until nearer the time.  But it will be one of these!  (John Dibbs)
As of today, we have 182 entries for the weekend, including 18 Minors and six M Types, among a mouthwatering selection of other pre-war cars.
The weekend will celebrate the 21st Anniversary of the Register's founding.

1929 fabric saloon UR 4313 (M11538) at VMR Prescott in 2005, when in the ownership of Allen Jubb.
I went to view this car nearly forty years ago when it was owned by Adrian Moores,
who was storing it at the time in a shipping container.  I remember it well because at that time,
it retained its original fabric and there were coats of arms painted on the doors.

15th March 2021  Hearty congratulations to new member Tom Swain who today acquired UR 4313 from Nick Craddock (see 21st September 2020 below).
Tom is the son of our Honorary Member Annabelle Swain, who is, in turn, the daughter of Barbara Skinner (of Skinners Union) and John Bolster.
We hope to see the car again at Prescott this July and to meet Tom for the first time.

13th March 2021  In Australia, Barry Gilbert owns this Ruskin-bodied OHC Minor 2-seater M25121.  The car appeared in our magazine M 107 - the spring 2002 issue.
M 107 was circulated to our members this week as we continue to send out our back issues so that members have something to read as they await the end of lockdown.
In this issue was a brief news article reporting that Barry had just completed a twelve year resoration of his Minor and that the car was now in everyday use.
The article also mentioned in passing that the car is fitted with an M Type M.G. engine, number 1174.  This week, our member Bill Fuller, who also lives in Australia
and who owns M Type 2/M1523 read the issue and immediately realised that this was the engine originally fitted
to his M Type!  Bill and Barry have put their heads together and are organizing an engine swap!

12th March 2021  Late summer 2009 and the Lightrcarist faithful gather at Madresfield Court in the heart of rural Worcestershire and with the timeless backdrop of the Malverns
for some light-hearted driving tests.  In the foreground is Frank Sanders' 1931 fabric saloon.  This car is about to become available.  Interested parties should contact the Register.
(On the day, Frank scored a very creditable 128 points lost, beating many of the Sevens!)

5th March 2021  Much in the news lately, 1929 Minor tourer KX 2397 has finally found a permanet home with member Richard Prest, who collected it today.
The Minor will join Richard's 1926 Bullnose Cowley, and we very much hope to see it for the first time at our Summer Rally in July.  Congratulations, Richard!

Seen here at Pre-War Prescott 2019, is Anthony Littlejohn in JB 855 alongside Jerry Salaman's 18/80 Mk. II.
We look forward to meeting them both again in July, alongside Geoff Radford with his Tigress.  (Phil Jones)

1st March 2021  Today we welcome Anthony Littlejohn to Register membership.  Anthony owns the M.G. 18/100 Mk. III 'Tigress' JB855.  One of just five built,
JB 855 was owned for more than 60 years by Chris Barker who acquired it in 1935.  It was the Olympia Motor Show model in October 1930 with Carbodies coachwork.

1st March 2021  Tony Gamble is offering his July 1930 M Type project for sale.  This is WM 5429 (2/M1771).  Tony acquired the project in 2019 and has been working on  it,
but it must now go in order to help complete another project.  Tony reports, "The engine has been totally overhauled with all new parts where needed.
The radiator has been stripped, fully restored and rechromed and the instrument panel is also fully restored.
The rolling chassis is sound but was restored over a decade ago and needs tidying up a bit.  No new bits are needed for the rolling chassis
apart from a correct set of new brake cables which come with the kit.  The body is the main item that needs looking at as it is a fair attempt but
needs improving in its general condition before the fabric covering can be applied.  The wings are reasonable, needing some finishing
efore painting but are sound units to work on.  The only items missing are the hood frame, and hood, although these are not essential items for the fine weather driver!
Please email me on Anthony.gamble@btconnect.com to discuss."

27th February 2021  For Sale - again!  Steven Fathers is offering 1929 Minor tourer KX 2397 (M4884) for sale, after carrying out a good deal of work on it over the last month,
including sourcing and fitting the correct front bumper, fitting a stainless exhaust, sorting the instruments, fitting two new tyres and more.
Initially offered at the end of January (see below), it was acquired by a dealer who sold it to Steven.
Now Steven has found a very interesting project that will require him to sell the tourer and another car to secure.
Contact Steven at sfingarage@hotmail.com for more information and more photos.  Offers over £10k.
This remains an excellent opportunity to pick up a rare and unmolested nickel radiator vintage Minor tourer that is ready to go.

15th February 2021 While researching chassis plates for a major article to be published in the spring Magazine, Mike Dalby sent me a number of M Type chassis plate images, including this one from his own M Type - 2/M1056.
The plate is clearly a reproduction, as it quotes the chassis number as S/M1056 instead of 2/M1056.
But it was not only this, but the engine number that intrigued me.  114A sounds reasonable, and if an M Type engine, this would have been the 114th engine,
since the M Type engine sequence started with number 1.  But then Mike sent me a photo of the block (below).

Prominent in the photo is the large round boss, with three bolts (there is a similar boss on the other side). These bosses were a feature of the very first few (and I don't know exactly how many) OHC Minor engines.
On the boss on the nearside are clearly stamped the number 114A and 3095.  114A is clearly the engine number, but what is the meaning of 3095?  Not a date - what could it be?
Flashback 20 years or so, when I visited Gaydon and transcribed the data for all 34,599 OHC Minors and then copied them into a spreadsheet which became the OHC Minor 'Genome'.
I recorded the body type for every car and all of the notes in the notes column, plus the full build data (chassis laid down, test, body shop, final test, despatch, engine number, body type)
for all of the chassis known to be surviving at the time.  Clearly it was impossible to manually transcribe all of this data for all these thousands of cars and, being before the era of digital cameras,
I could not practically photograph every page.  And in any case, I would probably not have been allowed to.

However, I found the early cars on the first page interesting and recorded all of their dates and engine numbers.
Not surprisingly, these early engines were not fitted in numerical order, and the lowest engine number in this list of the first 20 cars is number 131 - presumably the 31st engine,
since Morris started both their chassis and engine numbers with 101.

But there is an oddity. The very first Minor - chassis MM101, had a rather higher number recorded in the Progress Book.  And that number is 3095.
So the engine in Mike's M Type is the engine that was fitted to the first production Morris Minor,, chassis MM101, whose chassis was laid down on 12th September 1928.
Incidentally, we know that there were 12 pre-production prototype Minor fabric saloons and one prototype tourer - containing 13 engines in total.  And here we have the 14th engine in the first production car.

Congratulations Mike - you have an historic engine in your M, and I believe it to be by far the earliest Minor or MMM OHC engine in existence.
Now, where did this engine come from?  Mike's M was originally fitted with engine 827A, so who replaced it with 114/3095 and where did he get it from?
Was the engine saved from a scrap yard perhaps?  Sadly, we may never know the fate of MM101, but at least we have found its engine and it is running well!

15th February 2021  And still they turn up.  We extend a very warm welcome to Alexander Campbell who is restoring this Minor in Stornoway on the Isle of Lewis.
The car is something of an enigma.  Research so far suggests this was originally an OHC Family 8 saloon, that has, in relatively recent times, been the subject of conversion into a van.
It came with a SV engine but retains the 9" Lockheed hydraulic brakes of the OHC LWB chassis.  Alexander is looking for a 9" brake drum and hydraulic backplate assembly,
as well as a complete clutch and cover plate, which are all missing.  Please contact the Register if you can help Alexander with any of these parts.
(We now have two Campbells on the Membership List.  Alexander is member number 666, and Arthur, who is member number 444.
Any bets as to who member number 888 will be?!)

3rd February 2021  I didn't think it would be on the market for long!  Hearty congratulations to Register member Steven Fathers who has just become the next custodian of KX 2397.
Now installed with good company - Steven's 1928 Frazer Nash Interceptor.  Well done, Steven!

For Sale!

31st January 2021 An update on the tourer KX 2397 (see 29th January below).  The car was indeed sold and is now being sold on by dealer Robert Dudrenec in Stratford-on-Avon for £8,995.
Robert can be contacted by e-mail  here.  More photos and background on our forum here.  The car went live on Car and Classic tonight, so move quickly if you are in the market for an early tourer.
There is a YouTube video of the car here.

30th January 2021 The latest entry for our Summer Rally is Stefan Wulff, from Hamburg in Germany with his much-traveled 1932 blown M.G. J2.
As of today we already have 166 entries for the weekend.
(Update 1st February.  On checking, the chassis number is D0491, so actually a much rarer D Type M.G.), which was news to Stefan!)

30th January 2021  Mud pie and custard anyone?  This is the fabulous creation of new member Andrew Newton, based on a 1933 SV 2-seater chassis SV29638 and registered KY 4191.
Andrew reports that he bought it as a rolling chassis and over the last year has rebuilt the engine, made a completely new body and has also modified the differential to accommodate four planet wheels.
All set for trials!

29th January 2021  This incredibly original 1929 Minor tourer has turned up in County Durham and was previously unknown to the Register.
Originally Buckinghamshire-registered KX 2397 in early 1929, it was recently advertised on Gumtree, but the advert has now been taken down.
Can ayone say whether it has been sold?

19th January 2021  Not a lot of news to shave lately, due to the season and the lockdown, but here's an opportunity for someone.
This 1931 scuttle tank SV Minor PFF 685 (SV3279) is currently being offered in Northampton (trade) and may be one of the most original survivors of the model.
According to the blurb, "Utterly original & charming.  This Morris Minor was discovered in a barn after a 40 year lay up with just 9,000 miles showing on the odometer.
It really is a time warp.  The pedals show no sign of wear whatsoever and the rexine interior is in pristine original condition though out with just a little foxing to the headlining.
The fold back front roof has been recovered in black mohair as it had deteriorated to the point where replacement made sense.
The car was sold by the son of the former 90 year old owner and has been sympathetically recommissioned to the condition we find it in today.
First supplied in Anglesey the dash carries a plate from J. Henry Roberts of Plas Garage, LLangefni.  Price: £12,800."
What a pity the registration number isn't original.  The wheels should be black and the mirror isn't original, but I mustn't get too picky!
Ex-Chris Cocks, ex-Chris Cole.  Check it out here.

3rd January 2021  Continuing with M Type news, down in Somerset, Fred Boothby has completed a meticulous restoration of his M Type UR 7145 (2M/1768).
Fred is looking forward to bringing the M to our Summer Rally at Prescott  in July.

2nd January 2021 More 12/12 news!  Another 12/12 rep. recreation, VC 8174, chassis CM/2608, so built on another Sportsman's Coupé chassis (like HX 91 below -28th December)
by the late Colin Reynolds was featured in today's Daily Telegraph (below), where it is described as a 1931 T-Type!  One despairs of the media!

28th December 2020  Today we extend a warm welcome to Greg Smith who joins the Register.  Greg looks after this 1930 M Type M.G. Double Twelve replica HX 91
(CM/2660, so originally a Sportman's Coupé which is owned by Register members George and Marguerite Morgan who live in Dawson, Victoria, Australia, and who also own an historic M.G. J3
which they entered in Pre-War Prescott last year.  Seen here at Pre-War Prescott 2019, is HX 91 which Greg has entered again for Pre-War Prescott 2021.  (Photo - Phil Jones)

20th December 2020  This splendid photo and Christmas wishes arrived this morning from Ken and Kate Martin and features Ken's 1930 saloon
captured on the Marlborough Downs last December.   VX 4590 has been in the family for many decades, having been bought by Ken's father long ago.
Always on the road, Ken gave the car a thorough makeover a few years ago to prepare it for their daughter's Wedding.  The body is painted in the original
two-tone brown of the 1930 season saloons.  Merry Christmas Ken and Kate, and Jayne and I wish you many more happy motoring miles in 2021!

19th December 2020  This 1929 coachbuilt saloon is currently being offered for sale by David Molyneux online.  With chassis number M16767, the chassis was laid down 16th November 1929,
making this an early coachbuilt saloon.  Originally registered TF 48, the number was removed from the car by the previous onwer about four years ago.
The car is currently fitted with a SV Minor engine.  David has recommissioned the car and it represents excellent value at the asking price of £5,450 ONO.
Why not acquire it and run it while you sort an OHC engine for it?  This has to be a very good way to get into genuine vintage Minor ownership.
A Christmas gift for someone?  The car is located in Ulverson, Cumbria.

16th December 2020  Today we welcome new member John Crighton of Queensland, Australia with his M Type 2M/2712 (originally registered BG 168 in England)
which is nearing the end of a comprehensive restoration.  John is hoping to have the car completed by Christmas, but has been slowed down this year by the rebuild
of his MGB rally car that wa subjct of an unfortunate accident during last year's Peking to Paris rally.  Will you be taking the M on the Peking to Paris, John?
Check out the 23rd March 2017 entry below for earler history of the car.

16th December 2020  Welcome back to past members Richard and Anne Bryant who have rejoined the Register after several years.
They own this Cornwall-registered SV Minor van CV 6374, chassis SV15780.  This chassis started life as a 1932 2-seater but was converted into a van many moons ago.
Named Marmaduke, it retains its original 1932 radiator and with 1934 Minor wings it makes a pleasing looking 'special' van.

15th December 2020  This image appeared in the Daily Telegraph this morning, with the caption:
"Muddy waters.  A 1933 Morris Minor splashes throught a flooded road after heavy rainfall in Garrigill, Cumbria, yesterday.
The 850cc vintage car, manufactured by Morris Motors Limited from 1928 to 1934, cost £100 when it was first built."
This VT 9329, a cut down saloon.  Ex-Brian Woods, then it went to France where Graham Hemsley bought it in 2013, then to Keith Jenkins in Somerset.
It was offered for sale in January this year.  Does anyone know the current owner?

Sometimes I wish I had never joined!

11th December 2020  A reminder to members that the 2021 subscription falls due at the end of this month.
The renewal form may be found here.  Thanks to all those who have already subscribed for next year.
If you would like to join the Register (and membership is open to owners and enthusiasts of ALL pre-war cars) the Membership Form may be found here.

6th December 2020  This 1930 M Type is being offered by Anglia Car Auctions Saturday 30th and Sunday 31st January.
Chassis 2M/1287.  First registered in Buckinghamshire on 4th April 1930.  Estimate: £15,000 - 18,000.  Details here.

5th December 2020  Welcome to new member David Edwards of Ledbury who owns this very smart M.G. TD, which he has owned since 1991.
It is seen here in front of the unique and historic Much Marcle garage.  David also owns a 1933 Austin 7 special, acquired in 1968, but he has entered his TD in our Summer Rally next July.
We look forward to meeting him there.

2nd December 2020 Today we also extend a warm welcome to Ian Westrope of Haverhill, Suffolk (above) who joins us with his very interesting 1932 Morris Family Eight saloon EV 7441.
With chassis number M39140, this is the youngest surviving OHC Minor known to the Register.  The chassis was laid down around the 10th of July 1932, and the final OHC LWB chassis,
M39199, was laid down on the 21st.  Essex-registered, EV 7441 was purchased in 1950 by Ian's father from the first owner and the car is in highly original condition,
never having had any major restoration work.  Welcome, Ian!

2nd December 2020  Today we welcome David Webster to the Register with his gorgeous 1937 Alvis Speed 25, captured here by Peter Hills
at Toddington station on our Sunday Scenic Tour last year.  David has booked in again for next July.
(Register membership is open to owners and enthusiasts of all cars that survived the War.)

1st December 2020  Welcome to new member Mike Shaw who lives in Herne Bay, Kent and owns this 1930 M Type RB 2330 (2M/1901).
Mike has spent the last eight years restoring the car and it is now on the road after many years.  The proevious owner, John Massey, owned it for fifty years,
taking it on his honeymoon.  Mike joins Phil Sowry and Stephen Taylor as Kentish VMR members with M Types.
Mike becomes the tenth new member to join the Register in the last month.

29th November 2020 We extend a warm welcome to Peter Burrows who joins us with his very well-built Morris Minor special, insipred by the Jarvis-bodied M.G. M-type.
Peter is a longtime metalwork and woodwork teacher to A level and his craftsmanship is clearly evident in the finished product,
particularly when one sees what he started with (below) - originally a 1934 SV saloon that had previously been converted into a crude special with an OHC engine.
Here is the car as Peter found it in a scrapyard in 1967.

27th November 2020 Delighted to say that my new 1929 tourer WE 6554 was delivered from Chipping Campden to Bromyard today without a hitch.
I bought it from Geoff Colquitt and Lawrence Bleasdale will be looking after it and exercising it at his farm in Bromyard until our return to the UK.
The tourer is a direct replacement for VF 6700 (below) which I sold to Peter Stubberfield many moons ago.
Does anyone have an original 'MORRIS' radiator script for a 1929 Minor?

27th November 2020  Welcome to new member Joe Reed who recently acquired this rare 1932 Minor 4-seater tourer VSU 309, which was re-registered in 1989,
originally having been registered GV 776.  Joe is the landlord of the Old Bull, Inkberrow, the quintessentially English village pub made famous as ‘The Bull’ at ‘Ambridge’
in the long-running BBC radio serial and which has been frequented by Archers characters since the show first aired in 1950.
We look forward to meeting Joe at Prescott next July - as well as having a pint or two in his fantastic pub,
which used to be our local in the eighties when Jayne and I lived in Worcester.  Small world - read more below!

Since the landlord of one of the most historic of English pubs in all England is now a Minor owner, the thought crossed my mind that we might organize
an occasional VMR pub meet there– lockdowns permitting of course.  Indeed, we lunched at the Old Bull during our 2013 Navigation Rally and Scenic Tour.
If anyone within striking distance would be interested – please let me know and if there is sufficient interest, I will get something organized.
New Year’s Day perhaps? RSVP!

Geoff Thornton (right) with Jack Blyth who was visiting from New Zealand during our inaugural Summer Rally in 2001.
We had just moved to the USA and Geoff was caring for our tourer VF 6700.

20th October 2020  It is my sad duty to report that our Honorary Member, and member number five of the Register passed away last week at the age of 91
after suffering from dementia over the last few months.  We pass on our sincere condolences to his wife Pat, his children Janet and Jeremy and their children.
Read more on our forum.

18th October 2020  After advertising the car for around five years, Roger Carette has finally sold the ex-Bev Hicks 1933 McEvoy Special Morris Minor to Etienne Tinant.
The car was actually sold to Etienne in July who, as a trader, was advertising the car, but he has now decided to keep it.
So the car will be remaining in Belgium for the time being.

3rd October 2020  David Hall lives in Malvern and acquired the 1928 fabric saloon SK 1508 from long-time owner Tony Gamble last year.
He spotted the photo below in our Autumn 2013 magazine M 147 and decided to replicate the scene, so he drove over the hills to Ledbury with his daughter
one evening last week and captured the above scene.  David reports, "SK 1508 pulled up the Malvern Hills at an easy if noisy 30 mph in second gear."

2nd October 2020  Today we extend a very warm welcome to David Clarke who has joined the Register.
David is a motorcyclist and here we see him at Pre-War Prescott on his 1937 Monet Goyon racing special, with a capacity of just 100 c.c.!

1st October 2020  I am delighted to be able to provide some provisional details of our expanded 2021 Summer Rally.
As this year's gathering had to be canceled, I want to make next year's weekend something special, so we are adding a third day - Friday 16th July.
We will be visiting the Morgan Car Company in Malvern on Friday morning for a factory tour, lunching at The Swan Inn, Hanley Swan
and then visiting the Westons Cider Mill at Much Marcle in the afternoon for a tour, tasting and cream teas before returning to the Prescott area for our traditional
Friday evening pub reception.  Full details, including prices, timings and booking arrangements will be added to the rally web page shortly.

30th September 2020  Tom Partridge has discovered, and Ian Holmes has just acquired a pair of intriguing cars.  The above photo shows one of the cars, with a second chassis in the background.
The cars appear to have been connected with the Herstmonceux dealer Harris Brothers, now long defunct.  While RD 1296 appears to include a number of M Type components,
the chassis number is SV3XX82, a SV Minor of around January 1934.  This hybrid car is fitted with a 1929 OHC Minor engine (12024A), M Type radiator, J Type
gearbox and remote, M Type four-spoke steering wheel and early wheels with M Type hubcaps.  However, it is still fitted with its SV Minor rear fuel tank, hydraulic brakes and original pipework.
The windscreen appears to have come from a 1934 SV Minor saloon, so perhaps is original to the chassis.

However, the bare chassis in the background is of even greater interest.  It is early M Type 2/M395.  The offside dumbiron is stamped with this number (and is riveted on),
and the corresponding chassis plate is also among the parts.  The number RD 1296 is a January 1st 1930 Reading registration number, so could be the M Type or it could also be
the car that donated the OHC engine to the hybrid SV chassis.  The M chassis has SV Minor rear tank spring hangers bolted on, so are not original to the chassis.
There is also a second engine in the haul, with M Type engine ancillaries (finned exhaust manifold, alloy cam cover, top water outlet without the fan bracket), but the block is unstamped,
so it can offer no help in sorting the mix.  Clearly, several cars have been thoroughly intermingled in the past, so this little lot is taking a good deal of research to sort out.
Ian is offering everything for sale, apart from a few parts he needs.  He can be contacted here.

29th September 2020  Welcome to new member James MacKeith and M Type 2/M662.  Here we see James' son Iain at the wheel.
This M was originally registered UW 6265 in England and was shipped to Virginia in the USA last year.
Welcome James and Iain!

27th September 2020  Another Minor saloon is currently being offered by our member Tim McLoughlin on eBay.
SV2789 (RVS 230) is a 1931 scuttle-tank saloon dating from March 1931, so quite an early example.

25th September 2020 Ken Allen is selling his 1934 Minor saloon.  Here's his advert: "1934 SV Morris Minor Saloon DG 8657 (34/MS/42866).
Royal Blue with black mudguards, matching numbers, opening windscreen, all working gauges, period trafficators, hydraulic brakes,
robust 4 speed part synchro gearbox, modern pedal configuration, VSCC eligible.  Purchased nearly 7 years ago, as a body off restoration
during which £2,000 was spent refurbishing interior.  Since then, I have had the engine professionally rebuilt including;
head and block skimmed and de-lime scaled, new pistons/rings/valves and springs, etc.  New petrol pump/fabric couplings/two new 6v batteries
for increased cranking amps, re-metaled thrust bearing and oil lip seal fitted, oil pump and dynamo refurbished.  Starts, stops and runs well.  No leaks or drips.
Looking to sell to a practical enthusiast who will capitalise on my expenditure and continue to take ‘DouG’ forward over the next 14 years,
to be in fine fettle to celebrate his ‘100th’ Birthday!  Price: £8,850.
Kenneth Allen Woking Surrey UK.  Contact initially through e-mail for more details and telephone number."

More photos can be found in the Marketplace section of our Forum.

21st September 2020  This 1929 fabric saloon, UR 4313 (M11538), first registered 1/8/29, is also for sale by owner Nick Craddock.
Nick reports, "I have had to decide to part with my fabric saloon as the years are making problems for me to maintain the car."
Nick can be contacted at craddock318@btinternet.com.

20th September 2020  This 1930 fabric saloon FH 7004 is currently being offered by Turn Two Classics in Winwick, Northamptonshire for
an asking price of £9,995.  First registered 30th November 1930 and with chassis number M27047, we believe that the chassis
is actually stamped M12991 and the engine fitted is U12362, which would make this a 1929 fabric saloon, first registered 28th August 1929.
This is the ex-Alan Napier, John Purser, Arthur Peeling car.
Full details here.

19th September 2020  The Barnett brothers with their mother seated in TJ 4258, a 1934 Minor 2-seater which belonged to their late father who passed away 17 years ago.
The brothers are having a push to get it back on the road for next year so their ageing mother can have a ride in it while she is still mobile.
There is an urgent need for a pair of rear wings.  If anyone can help, please contact the Register.

Jo reports,  "My father was a great dad.  He had 8 kids and put all his hobbies and interests on hold when we came along.  His intention was to get to these when he retired
but he never got to do that as he was robbed of his retirement by a degenerative disease (Progressive Supranuclear Palsy) which resulted in his untimely death.
He had a number of cars: an MG TC, Rover 12 and the Minor and a few vintage motorcycles languishing in garages when he died.  Of all the cars he had,
the Minor was the one he really wanted to get back on the road and he had started to do a few things just before he was diagnosed.
He had Morris running through his veins having owned more than a few Eights.  The reason he bought the Minor was so that he could be more competitive
in the driving trials they used to do back then.  So to be restoring it now is great.
Every time I get a part out of the many boxes of parts we have I feel that the last person to have touched it was my dad and that feels great!"

17th September 2020  SV5535 (WX 8158) is for sale after having been off the road for nearly fifty years and in the same ownership.
Update 28th September 2020 SOLD

This is the VERY LAST scuttle tank Morris Minor (except for the 5 cwt. vans).  So it is the very last of the vintage style Minors.
The body number is MP11473 which is the highest number recorded in the Chassis Register.

Chassis SV5535 was laid down on 17th July 1931, while the very next chassis, SV5536 was not laid down until 12th August,
after the works summer break and after the lines at Cowley had been re-configured to produce the new and quite different rear-tank 1932 season Minors.
If you think you might be interested in saving this landmark Minor, please get in touch with Graham Taylor who, after many years of ownership
feels he has to pass on custodianship due to health issues.  He can be contacted here.  The car, registered in Yorkshire as WX 5148 on 28th July 1931,
is currently in store in Watford, having been off the road for nearly fifty years. The engine runs, it is virtually complete and it has a current V5 with its original registration number.
This is a tremendous opportunity for someone.

16th September 2020  French member Vincent Dransart, D Type owner (and TA, YA, ZB, MGA, etc.) and arch Pre-War Prescott supporter (left)
looks delighted with his new acquisition - M Type 2M/600 (KX 3495).  He acquired the car from William Barber, who lives in the Orne.

16th September 2020  Welcome to new member Andy Plunkett who collected his new Minor today.  KJ 1664 (M34411)
has been off the road for eleven years, but has recently undergone a recommissioning and is now in sound running order.

6th September 2020  First, sincere apologies for the long gap since the last post.  It has been a mad summer, with no Summer Rally,
but hopefully we can all look forward to getting back to normal life and vintage motoring in the coming weeks and months.
To kick things off, I'm delighted to have been able to acquire the 1929 tourer WE 6554 (M9378) from Geoff Colquitt last week.
Geoff has owned this well-known car for the last 11 years and has decided that it is time to pass it to the next custodian.
The car will remain in the UK until Jayne and I retire back to the UK in 2022, but I am definitely planning to have it at our Summer Rally next year.

24th March 2020  Today we welcome Michael Boulton to our membership,  Michael owns M Type RX 6795 (2M/1594).
This was the car that famously made 100 consecutive climbs of Beggar's Roost in 1930.
The photo above shows Michael climbing Beggar's Roost in 2010 to mark the 80th Anniversary of this amazing feat.
Welcome, Michael.

Summer Rally and Pre-War Prescott - Important Update

23rd March 2020 After a highly productive discussion with the Bugatti Owners’ Club this morning, I am very pleased to announce that the date
for Pre-War Prescott 2020 is re-scheduled to Saturday 19th September – just over a three-month delay, which will hopefully suffice to get us past the current situation.
Our navigation rally and scenic tour will therefore take place on Sunday 20th.  Of course, should the entire 2020 motorsport season be lost then we shall postpone again
– to Saturday 17th July 2021, but I think the current plan is the best we can do as of now.

For those of you who have already entered, and for our traders and displayers, please let me know if you cannot make the September date and I will arrange a refund.
On the other hand, I know that a number of you could not make the June date but may well be able to join us in September.
f you have already entered and I don't hear from you, I will assume that the new date works for you.

Clearly, this is an evolving situation and some of you are bound to have questions or concerns.  Please e-mail me and I will do my best to help.

In the meantime, if you would like to enter for the new date, but have not already entered for June, please do so here, or return the Entry Form. availabel for downloat here.
(I will update the form with the new date in due course, but for the time being please ignore the June date.)

Thank you all so much for your understanding, messages of encouragement and best wishes already received.  I hope I have responded to you all, but apologies if not.
All the very best to everyone, Ian

Joy Rainey with her specially-adapted McLaren at Pre-War Prescott 2018, where she gave numerous runs
in aid of our charity, the RAF Charitable Trust.  That is Laura Hamilton-Gould in the passenger seat.  (Ronald Trumpi)

17th January 2020  Very sad news reached VMR HQ this morning.  Joy Rainey, stalwart supporter of the Register and Pre-War Prescott has passed away suddenly
and unexpectedly whilst on holiday in Australia, believed to be by natural causes, an aneurysm whilst dining with friends.  The Register extends its sincere condolences
to Joy's family.  On our first meeting I thoughtfully knelt down by her scooter to be on a par with her.  "Oh", she said, "Are you going to propose to me?"
The last time I saw her was at PWP 2018 (she couldn't make it last year), when she drove me up the hill in her 2018 McLaren F570S.

12th January 2020  Congratulations to Volker Tilly, who won the best pre-war car award with his M Type (2M/2818) at the 2019 "Oldtimer Deichparade" in Friedrichskoog on the German Sea.
Here we see Volker accepting his trophy.  Looking super, Volker!

2nd December 2019  Late yesterday, the ex-Captain Angus Hambro 1930 Minor Semi-sports LJ 4435, otherwise known rather irreverently as the Bed-Pan was delivered
from Goudhurst in Kent to Tarlton in Gloucestershire and into the hands of Peter Balding, who will be looking after it until Jayne and I retire back to England in a few years.
The car has been owned by Andrew Streek since I sold it to him in 2008, after our Dorset Rally where the elderly daughters of Captain Hambro rode in the car in which they learned to drive
in the thirties around the Milton Abbey estate – the Hambro seat in Dorset.  But Andrew found that he was too tall for the car, and so earlier this year, he offered it back to me.
The car has hardly turned a wheel in Andrew's ownership.  John Stubberfield, who lives nearby in Cirencester was in attendance yesterday and was able to confirm,
after a brief search, that the engine is still under the bonnet!  Darkness precluded any further check-out, but it is hoped that the emergence from hibernation will be straightforward.
Needless to say, the car is already booked in for our 2020 Summer Rally.
(Photo - John Stubberfield)

1929 fabric saloon MM 9063 was acquired by Terry Hibbard from Albert Spence in Orkney.
Here we see it at the ferry terminal at Gills Bay, about three miles west of John O'Groats, after its ferry trip from Orkney.
Albert's neighbour had taught the ferry's purser to drive the car so he could drive it on to and off the ferry, saving Terry the trip to Orkney to collect it!

6th November 2019 Congratulations to joining member David Hall who has bought the fabric saloon SK 1508 (below).  But if you missed it, there is a nearly identical fabric saloon
for sale at the moment.  This is MM 9063 (chassis M11282) being offered by Terry Hibbard, another joining member who also owns fabric saloon MM 9215 (M12482) which he is restoring.
Terry can be contacted at terry@harworthheating.co.uk and lives in Nottinghamshire.  Terry is asking £10k.

8th October 2019  A particularly fine and early vintage Minor has just come on the market.  It is the ex-Sword Collection, ex-Tony Gamble 1928 Morris Minor fabric saloon SK 1508, chassis MM1243.
The chassis was laid down 17/12/28 and first registered on New Year's Day 1929.  It was totally restored by Tony Gamble in the 1990's and has had little use since.  It is in concours condition.
Health issues are the reason for the sale by current owner Norman Fisher.  The asking price is £8,750.  For fuller details, contact Mike Hewson on 01562/388680 or mobile 07949/031818.

13th August 2019 Vintage sports cars as far as the eye can see.  Over 250 vintage and pre-war cars gathered at our Summer Rally at Prescott on Saturday 20th July
and a further 90 entered our navigation rally nand parallel scenic tour on the Sunday.  The whole weekend was a superb celebration of the cars that survived the War.
Entries for the 2020 weekend are now open here.  Many more great photos here.

9th July 2019  Our 2019 Summer Rally is just days away now and what a fabulous weekend we have in store!  With 250 entries for Pre-War Prescott on Saturday and 90 entered for our Cotswolds Rally
on Sunday, we have record numbers all round.  All this will be topped with a visit by the Station Commander of RAF Conningby overhed in one of the RAF's two remaining Hawker Hurricanes.
Full details of the weekend can be found here.

3rd April 2019  Important Pre-War Shuttleworth news.  The Moth Club, who the Vintage Minor Register will be joining on the day wish to encourage young people
to fly with them and so those between the ages of 13 and 18 will be able to get up in the air in a vintage aircraft for just TEN POUNDS!
These flights must be booked in advance no later than June 5th and the Moth Club advises contacting them directly to receive a booking form.
Young people who fly with the Club will also be offered the chance to take part in a short written competition for which the prize will be a formal flying lesson in a Tiger Moth
at a suitably approved organisation.  There is no pre-booking for any other flights, all of which are offered on a first-come basis. These will cost £95 per person.
You can call the Moth Club on 01442/862077 or email them at dhmoth@dhmothclub.co.uk
More details of Pre-War Shuttleworth may be found here.

1st April 2019  At the weekend, the VSCC's Light Car and Edwardian Section held their traditional spring weekend in Wales.
This year, there was a healthy entry of six Minors, plus the 1929 M Type of Roger Tushingham.  Here we see the Langford-Yates in their 1930 tourer,
one of three attending the weekend.  (David Hinds)

26th March 2019  We are deligted to announce that a Royal Air Force Battle of Britain Memorial Flight Hawker Hurricane IIc will grace the skies over our Summer Rally
at Prescott on Saturday 20th July.  We are deeply grateful to the Flight for the RAF for its support as we raise funds for the RAF Charitable Trust.

18th March 2019 Over the weekend David and Claire Rolfe were out and about on the VSCC Herefordshire Trial in their much-campaigned Riley-engined M Type.
Great spring weather and plenty of mud!  Mark Smith also entered his ex-John Peckham M Type (below).  (Photos Steve Kent)

9th March 2019  Entries for our Summer Rally are pouring in!  (We received SIXTEEN entries just today!)  As of today, we already have an incredible 153 entries.  We reached this point on 14th JUNRE last year!
335 climbs have  been allocated, we have 56 entries for the Sunday run and 109 cream teas have been booked.  We have 127 tickets allocated for the Saturday evening BBQ.
If you have not entered yet, now is a good time to do so, because we will have to CLOSE entries well before the weekend.
Full details of the weekend may be found here and you can book online here.  (Photo Phil Jones)

7th March 2019  Member Tony Slattery (that's his M Type centre front) reports that it has become a tradition in South East Queensland, Australia for M-Type owners to gather annually
to share their passion for these iconic little cars, and celebrate Cecil Kimber’s birthday.  Cecil was born on the 12th April 1888, so this year the M's are gathering on Sunday 14th April 2019,
also 90 years since the sale of the first M-Type!  Hosts for this year's gathering are Bill and Zrinka at their home at Cleveland.  Please send your RSVP's well before the gathering directly to Bill Fuller.
Last year we had six of the 25 M Types known in Australia - how many can we gather in 2019?

5th March 2019  Today we welcome Philip and Wendy Coombs to Register membership with their 1932 M Type RH 5831 (2M/1932).
Philip and Wendy have entered our Summer Rally and will be joining many more M Types at Prescott where we will be celebrating the 90th Anniversary
of the start of M Type production in 1929, which also marked the dawn of the MG Midget Magna Magnette era.

5th March 2019  This interesting 1931 SV Minor is currently being offered for sale up in Cumbria.  It is reputedly a Jarvis-bodied car, but we have no confidence in this assertion.
A trader who advertised the car in 2017 trod carefully, stating "This car is based on a Morris Minor Tourer chassis which appears to have a coachbuilt body
in the style of one that could have been built by coachbuilders Jarvis of Wimbledon."
Caveat emptor!
Ford E93 918 c.c. SV engine with an Aquaplane manifold and twin SU carbs..  £8,500 ONO.  Call 01931/714624 for further details.

4th March 2019  As of today, we already have an incredible 130 entries for Pre-War Prescott and our Summer Rally.
The latest entrant is Geoff Radford, who is entering his historic 1930 MG 18/100 Mk. 3 Tigress GH 3501.
It has a 2468cc 6 cylinder OHC dry sump dual ignition engine, a  four speed gearbox, massive 14" brakes and a top speed of 100 mph.  Just five examples of this car were built
specifically for the 1930 Junior Car Club, Double Twelve Race at Brooklands.  Only two complete examples have survived.  This car was first owned by Lord Victor Rothschild.
Geoff entered this car in our first VMR Prescott back in 2003, so it will be wonderful to see it return and to meet Geoff again.
Geoff is entering under the umbrella of the Early MG Society who have already entered a fantastic eleven early MG's, spanning
the early Bullnose and Flatnose cars, though the 18/80 to Geoff's 18/100.

3rd March 2019  When is an M Type not an M Type?  When it is a Morris Minor.
Paul Gregory owns this very good looking hybrid PG 2676 (M12562).  Originally a fabric saloon and off the road since the 1970's, it was sold to Belfast and rebodied with an
MG M Type body in the early 1980's and off the road until Paul acquired it at the end of 2017.  It is now back on the road and booked in for our Summer Rally at Prescott in July.

2nd March 2019  The Register's March Newsletter was circulated by e-mail to all members today.
If you are a member and did not receive your copy, please let us know.

1st March 2019  Today we extend a warm welcome to Vincent Dransart who lives in France and owns this gorgeous MG D Type (D046).
We look forward to meeting him at our Summer Rally in July.

27th February 2019  Today we welcome Jerry Salaman to Register membership.  Jerry lives in Kent and owns this 1930 M Type and 1930 MG 18/80 Mk. 2.
Jerry has owned his M since 1961 - indeed it was his first car.  He found it in a local breaker's yard, fitted with a J2 body at the time.
Jerry's 18/80 is also a very interesting car.  It was built at Abingdon and first registered on 19th August 1930 as a Carlton bodied drophead coupé.
The motorcar featured in RKO Radio Picture film “They Flew Alone”, the story of Amy Johnson’s life and starring Anna Neagle and Robert Newton.  However, this was film directors ‘licence’
for in real life Amy Johnson had been given, as a personal gift from Sir William Morris, a MK 1 Salonette, registration No MG 720, in recognition of her 10,000 mile,
19 day solo flight to Australia in 1929.  Until in 1960 it was reported as being stored ‘under potatoes' and then in a cellar 'under coal’.  In 1976 the body was removed and the complete chassis
and running gear with scuttle and bonnet was rescued by Mike Ellis who spent the next 20 years carrying out restoration work.  He decided not to re-build the Carlton body
but to build a 4 seater tourer.  Sadly Mike died before completing the restoration and Jonathon Tilley purchased the car and completed the restoration
Jerry brought the car in 2014 and covered over 3,000 miles in his first year of ownership.  He has entered this wonderful car in Pre-War Prescott in July.
Incidentally, Jerry sold the the MG PA in the above photo to make spac ein his garage!

18th February 2019  I am very sad to report that Jock Mackay, our founder member number 29 passed away recently at Scrabster, Scotland.
Jock was the owner of the Upper Deck restuarant in Scrabster, but also the owner and restorer of this very early 1928 Minor tourer which was his pride and joy.
Jock also owned a Bean 14 and both cars are being retained in the family.  His son-in-law Roddy Mackintosh is taking on Jock's membership.  Welcome Roddy.

18th February 2019  Springtime conditions in England yesterday saw Nick Williams out and about in his recently-acquired sporting Bullnose.  Sweet lines!

17th February 2019  It is official!  Mintex is now the official headline sponsor of the Vintage Minor Register.  Mintex has been at the forefront of vehicle braking systems
and components since 1908 and has a storied history in the race and rally fields.  We are delighted with the new partnership which will help bring significant enhancements
to the Register and its events.

Pre-War Prescott 2018 - a Morris miscellany.  (Gracefoto)

15th February 2019  With our Summer Rally and Pre-War Prescott just over five months away, entries have just passed the hundred mark!
This is an incredible entry so far - we had received just 40 entries by this date last year, and ended up with a record entry on the day!
100 BBQ tickets have already been snapped up for the Saturday evening buffet and we already have 41 pre-war cars entered for our
Sunday Navigation Rally and parallel Scenic Tour.  Full details of the weekend can be found here and the Pre-War Prescott website can
be found here.  You can enter online here and you can check the entries as they arrive here.
You can also download the Entry Form here.

FV 2585 is a rare OHC Minor Sports Coupé.  Where is this car now?
(Edited 25th February - owner found!)

13th February 2019  The Register maintains a Chassis Register of all known surviving Morris Minors, both OHC and SV.
The Chassis Register can be found in the Members' Area of this website.  The vehicles are listed in chassis number order.
However, there are a large number of Minors known to have survived for which we do not have chassis numbers and, in many cases, details of the current owner.
The list of Minors for which we seek details can be found here.  The list currently includes 43 OHC Minors and 287 SV Minors for which we seek details.
(There are two tabs - one for OHC Minors and one for SV Minors.)
If you own a Minor, please check to see whether your vehicle appears in these lists, and if it does, please contact the Register so we can maintain accurate records.
No data will be made public without your permission.  Many thanks.

13th February 2019 We are delighted to announce that the Vintage Minor Register will be mounting a Register display at the Chateau Impney Hillclimb over the weekend of 13th/14th July,
the weekend before our Summer Rally and Pre-War Prescott.  Plans are being put in place to have three Minors on display each day, together with a club gazebo with Register information, etc.
If you are planning to be there, stop by and say Bonjour!

10th February 2019  This Hundred Pound Minor is being auctioned at Sledmere House Classic Car and Motorcycle auction with an estimate of £2,000/2,500 on 2nd March.
Sledmere House, Sledmere, Driffield, YO25 3XG.  Further details here.
This car was first registerd in April 1931, but was last taxed in Maidstone in 1994 and would appear to have been off the road ever since.
The 1994 tax disc is included with the sale and the car is registered with the DVLA.  he car is fitted with a 1933/4 radiator grille and a Morris 8 engine.
Contact the Register for more photos and details.  Remember that these SV Minors are now VSCC-eligible and therefore make inexpensive entry-level vehicles.

All hands on deck!  Paul Rogers and father Barry on the 2005 LCES Welsh Trial.  (Jim Wood)

9th February 2019  Entries for the LCES Welsh Weekend are now open.  This annual road event will take place on Saturday 30th to Sunday 31st March
and will see the Section returning again to the Metropole Hotel in Llandrindod Wells for the 21st Anniversary of the Section's first event there.
Saturday will see the Section taking to the roads for a 99 or so mile circular tour on the quiet local roads to a secret destination with some optional simple tests
to demonstrate the driver’s ability to safely conduct their vehicle at some venues detailed in the route instructions along the route.  There are several short cuts available
for the less ambitious (either cars or drivers!).  This will be followed in the evening by the Section’s Annual Dinner and Awards at The Metropole Hotel.
On Sunday, there will be a gentle sporting trial, finishing in time for lunch and the results of the trial before departing.
The evnet always attracts a good vintage Minor entry - let's see if we can make it even bigger this year.

27th January 2019  1930 Semi-sports LJ 4435 was named the Bed-Pan by the three daughters of Angus Hambro when he acquired it new in 1930 for his chauffeur to teach them to drive.
This photo was taken on 24th June 2007, moments before it embarked on its return trip to England from Grand Rapids, Michigan in time to attend our 2007 Summer Rally at Milton Abbey in Dorset,
the longtime home of the Hambro family.  The car had been the subject of a meticulous 13-year restoration that spanned time in Germany, England and the United States.
Your secretary sold the car the following year - for the usual tiresome reason!  And, as usual, regretted it immediately!  I am delighted to announce that later this year I will be re-acquiring this car,
the current owner having never driven it since, at 6' 2", he simply did not fit into it.  An arrangement has been made to purchase the car once again and it will remain in England.

The Last Collection before Christmas

Merry Christmas to all our members, friends and families!
Please see the Register's Christmas wishes here.

1st December 2018  Today we are delighted to announce details of our 2019 Pre-War Shuttleworth gathering.  Pre-War Shuttleworth 2019 will take place on Sunday 9th June
and we will be joining with the de Havilland Moth Club as they hold their Charity Flying Day.  This means that this time we will have the increible opportunity to actually fly
in a wide range of DH Moths and other rare and historic vintage aircraft for a very reasonable fee, all of which will be donated to charity.
So far, the aircraft expected to take part include examples of DH 60 Moth, DH 82a Tiger Moth, DH 84 Dragon, DH 85 Leopard Moth and DH 87 Hornet Moth.
Guest aeroplanes are also expected to include a Miles Magister, a Focke Wulf Stieglitz and a Miles Messenger.
As with all our events, the day will be open to all pre-war cars.  Save the date!
Find more details here.

18th November 2018 More mudplugging.  This time Clair Rolfe, bounced by husband David on the VSCC Cotswold trial yesterday, well on her way to a 25.
It was a spectacular, if chilly autumn day and Claire was entered in the Newcomer class.  Meanshile, new Register member David Rushton (see below),
bounced by Rachael Bolton-King was giving it max in his M Type.

(Both images Colin Murrell)

David Rushton on the 2016 VSCC Cotswold Trial.

4th November 2018  Today we welcome David Rushton to the Register with his 1932 M Type PJ 7970 (2M/3473).
David is no stranger to VSCC trials and driving tests and is the first MG M Type entry for Pre-War Prescott 2019.
2019 marks the 90th Anniversary of the start of production of the MG M Type, and, as such, we are expecting the largest
gathering of M Types in living memory at Pre-War Prescott in July.

Stuart Cooke's 1922 Morris Sports - a wonderful example of an early Morris.

3rd November 2018 There is a hugely significant anniversary that we will be celebrating next year at our Summer Rally.
That is the Centenary of the formation of Morris Motors.  Morris Motors Ltd. was incorporated in July 1919.
So how appropriate to celebrate the occasion in July 2019 at our Summer Rally at Prescott in the Cotswolds!
Consequently, we will be pulling out all the stops to gather as many pre-war Morrises at Prescott as we can - including Minors of course!
Please start making your plans.  Entries are now open for the weekend.  Just go to tthe Summer Rally webpage here, where you can download the Entry Form
or simply enter online here.

2nd November 2018 Today we welcome Keith Herkes to the Register with his ex-Gordon Crosby MG 18/80 Mk. 2 WL 9253.
After having been off the road for 45 years, Keith completed the restoration of this fine MG last year and brought it along to our Pre-War Shuttleworth event.
The car was the subject of a feature article in our spring 2017 Magazine, M 161.
Keith reports that at least eight Early MG Society members are planning to attend Pre-War Prescott next year.

30th September 2018  Entries are now open for our 2019 Summer Rallly and Pre-War Prescott 2019.
Full details of the weekend can now be found here.

30th June 2018  Welcome to our first member in Sweden, Anders Ahlkvist who has acquired this 1934 Minor 2-seater kit (34/MS/40629).
The kit is very promising and much work has been completed, but it is incomplete.  Anders is searching for the following items needed to complete
the restoration:  CW&P 8x34, dynamo with fan, carburetter SU O.M with 1” throttle diameter, distributor, oil filler cap,
radiator cap, gearbox cover and lever, Cardan propeller shaft, front lamps, front road springs complete, instrument panel with gauges,
radiator badge, brake cross shaft bracket, bracket to facia board (steering column), ignition control rod assembly, triangular scuttle supports, radiator tie rods,
three 18" wheels and wheel spokes.  If you can help with any of these parts, please contact Anders at anders.ahlkvist@telia.com.

18th May 2018  We have a very important update to our plans for Pre-War Shuttleworth.

We have received news from the de Havilland Moth Club that the venue for this event has had to be changed.  The Shuttleworth Trust announced to the Moth Club
that they had double-booked Old Warden on the day with a hot rod rally and so they could not accommodate the Moth Club on the day.
Very quick work by the Moth Club resulted in a Plan B which is to gather at RAF Henlow on the same day.
RAF Henlow is only a few miles from Old Warden, so anyone who had already booked accommodation will not have a problem.

RAF Henlow is (for the time being), an operational RAF station and therefore anyone entering the station is required to request access in advance, for security reasons.
Therefore, any member intending to attend on the day should contact the Register well in advance, providing registration number, type and colour of their car,
along with the names of all occupants.  I will collate this information and pass it to RAF Henlow in advance of the day.

The good news is that RAF Henlow is a large grass airfield, ideal for Moths and the combined aircraft and car event will be private, and not open to the public,
so the atmosphere will be much more intimate than would have been the case at Old Warden.  Watch this space for further news.

Please note that the Saturday and Sunday night pub meets will remain unchanged.

The event website can be found here.

Hopefully, the event will revert to Old Warden in 2019.

17th May 2018  As of today, we are at 100 entries and counting for Pre-War Prescott 2018!  So that means we are about half way to the expected 200 entries,
and climbs are also going fast, with 275 of the absolute maximum 475 already spoken for.  Advance entries attract a free climb and you can pre-book up to three additional climbs,
so why not get your entry in to guarantee your place on the start line!

18th April 2018  Hearty congratulations to members Andy and Debbie Stewart who won the best in rally trophy at the combined Morris Registers of Australia and Vintage Minor Register Rally in
Hervey Bay, Queensland over the Easter weekend with their very recently-restored 1928 Properts-bodied OHC Minor (left above).  This is the first time in the history of the Rally that a Minor has won outright.
The Rally was a tremendous success, with around 120 Morrises of all ages entered over the four-day weekend.  A full report on the Rally will appear in the Spring Magazine.

2nd February 2018  Hearty congratulations to Halbe Tjepkema over in Holland who has completed his meticulous ten-year restoration of 1929 Minor fabric saloon VG 2007 (M14258).
(That's Halbe's Aston Martin behind.)
Halbe and his father collected the car from Bungay, Suffolk in January 2008 - see below.
Pre-War Prescott next, Halbe?

Just as we like to find them.  VG 2007 emerges into the Suffolk daylight after many years in hibernation.  Tired but highly original and unmolested.

21st January 2018  Pre-War Prescott 2018 is just six months today!  We have another superb day in the planning stages, and have received 20 entries already.
We have lots of new features for PWP 2018 and we will be celebrating the twin Centenaries of the Armistice and the founding of the Royal Air Force.
We will also be welcoming the Riley RM Club who this year are marking the 70th Anniversary of the RM Roadster.  These, and post-war Rileys of all models
will be gathering in the Orchard as spectators.  Pre-War Prescott is but one day of our Register's Summer Rally weekend and on Sunday we will be holding
our regular Cotswold Navigation Rally and parallel Scenic Tour.  With an informal reception on Friday evening, a buffet/BBQ with live music and dancing on Saturday evening
and our traditional farewell pub run on Sunday evening a tremendous weekend is in store for everyone.  ALL pre-war cars are most welcome to enter any or all of the weekend's events
and post-war and moderns are welcome as spectators in the Prescott Orchard on Saturday.  Entries can be made on the Pre-War Prescott website,
and further details of the Register's Summer Rally weekend can be found here.  Alternatively, you can download the Entry Form here.
Finally, a reminder that owners of ANY pre-war car may now join the Register and enjoy the hefty rally discount which pays half of the annual membership!
You can join right now, right here.  See you in six months!

A mingling of Minors, MGs and Moths at the inaugural Pre-War Shuttleworth in 2017.

20th January 2018 We are delighted to announce the launch of Pre-War Shuttleworth 2018 on Sunday 12th August.
The weekend will include an informal pub reception on Saturday evening, a pre-war Garden Party and Vintage Picnic at the Shuttleworth Trust
in conjunction with the de Havilland Moth Club on Sunday and the weekend will conclude with a farewell pub run on Sunday evening.

Now in its second year, Pre-War Shuttleworth offers the rare opportunity to visit the flight line and chat with the aircraft owners during the lunch break.

There is no entry form or entry fee required for pre-war cars, but an entry list has been started, and we need everyone who plans to attend on Sunday to contact us
at vintageminor@gmail.com with their vehicle details so that we can provide the entries to the Trust in advance.

The event website which includes full details may be found here.

Miss Barbara Skinner poses in her striking White Minor, chassis 34/MS/41564.  The chassis was erected by Morris Motors on 22nd February 1934.
The Morris Progress Books contain the note: "M. MINOR 2 SEATER Less Engine. 'Chassis on permanent loan to SU, used by Miss B Skinner for racing
& presented to her as wedding present from Lord Nuffield."

11th January 2018  We extend a warm welcome to new member David Baldock who is well advanced with his heroic restoration of the famous White Minor,
Barbara Skinner’s Skinner Special.  Barbara Skinner was gifted the previously loaned White Minor Special by William Morris (by then, Lord Nuffield)
on 22nd September 1936 as a wedding present for her forthcoming wedding to John Bolster on 8th October 1936.
The car was based on a 1934 Minor rolling chassis fitted with a lightweight racing body and a very special Zoller blown Minor engine.
We cannot wait to see this car out, about and hillcimbing again after many decades.

9th January 2018 Today we welcome new member Tim Sharp and his blown 1936 MG PB VXS 544.  Tim reports:
"I acquired chassis PB0685 with a 2008 Enrique Llinares ash frame and various correct PB parts in 2018.  These have been built up by James Gunn with a Volumex supercharger.
The car is MMM Register 3614 and I wrote a piece on the development of the car for the Triple-M Register Bulletin October/November 2017."
Welcome to the Register Tim!

2nd January 2018  In illustrious company.  Keith Durston’s M Type parked beside the Benjafield 1928 4½ Le Mans Bentley in front of the Brooklands Clubhouse on New Year’s Day.
The weather was as kind as can be expected in January across most of the UK and many members turned out in their cars to celebrate the arrival of the New Year.
Nick Williams took these shots at the VSCC's popular meet at Much Marcle in Herefordshire.

19th December 2017  And still they keep turning up!  This 1933 SV Minor 2-seater (SV30663) has surfaced in Karachi, Pakistan.  New member Faraz Latif tells us that it was acquired
by his late father fifty years ago, but is in very poor condition.  However, he is planning a full restoration to return it to its former glory.  Not surprisingly he is looking for many parts
and a full list will appear in the December newsletter.  Offers of help please to the Register.

Barbara Skinner poses for the camera in her brand new Skinner Special - the White Minor - a blown hillclimb special based on SV Minor chassis 34/MS/41564

7th December 2017 Following on the good news that the Vintage Sports Car Club has granted eligibility to sidevalve Minors, we are delighted to announce that the Register
is to inaugurate a prestigious new award for 2018, to be awarded to the Register member who achieves the best aggregate performance in VSCC events through the year.

The Trophy has been graciously sponsored by our Honorary Member Annabelle Swain, daughter of Barbara Skinner
and will be known as the Barbara Skinner Memorial Trophy.

Barbara had such conspicuous success in competition in the thirties with the White Minor, a SV Minor special based on a 1934 chassis that was presented to her
by William Morris as a Wedding gift on 19th February 1934 on her marriage to John Bolster.  Her brother Peter also had considerable success with another SV Minor special,
the White Minor, based on a 1931 SV chassis.

Details of the aggregate award and the scoring system will be announced shortly, but will include points for entering VSCC tours, navigation rallies, driving tests and speed events,
with additional points awarded for scores achieved at the competitive events plus further points for any awards gained.

The prototype 1932 Sidevalve Minor McEvoy Special RC 300 at the start of the 1932 RAC Rally (the first one), being driven by the one-legged A. Squillario who gained a First
Class Award in this car in February 1932 on the Colemore Trial.  McEvoy is the gent on the left chatting to him.  Navigating is Squillario’s wife-to-be ‘Johnnie’ Johnson.
This car has survived in the hands of a Register member who, until now, has had his VSCC eligibility applications declined for this car.  It is now eligible.

Vintage Minor Register NEWSFLASH - The VSCC has granted PVT eligibility to all sidevalve Morris Minors with immediate effect

1st December 2017  Mere hours after the circulation of the latest VMR Newsletter comes this tremendous news from the latest VSCC Newsletter.
The Club's Eligibility Sub Committee made the recommendation in the autumn and it has now been formally ratified by the full Committee and takes immediate effect.

The Vintage Minor Register has been fighting vigorously for over a decade for VSCC eligibility for the SV Minor, and that effort ramped up further a few years ago
when the VSCC granted eligibility to many thirties Austin Sevens while withholding eligibility to even the early scuttle-tank Minors
and even the rare McEvoy specials, even examples with proven pre-war sporting history like RC 300 above.

But enough of the past.  This is tremendous news and will in time prove to be the saviour of so many SV Minors that are currently languishing in store or in pieces, or both.

As the note in the VSCC Newsletter states, this move will also hopefully allow younger enthusiasts to get on the bottom rung of the competitive ladder.
This was one of the key arguments that the Vintage Minor Register has been pushing for years.  And there are plenty of SV Minors to go around, compared to the OHC models.

The decision will not affect the Light Car & Edwardian Section eligibility which will remain solely for pre-1931 light cars in standard form.

On behalf of the Register, may I offer my hearty congratulations to the Vintage Sports Car Club for this momentous and historic decision.

Footnote

From our inauguration in 2000, the Register has always welcomed owners of any pre-war car to join us on our rallies.
Earlier this year, the Register formally opened up its membership to owners of ALL pre-war cars.
We will continue to lobby the VSCC to follow suit and accept, like us, all those cars that survived the War.

22nd October 2017  New member Guy Harris contacted the Register a few weeks ago in the hope that we would have knowledge of the present whereabouts of two Minors that he had owned many moons ago.
One of these - a 1933 2-seater FS 5294 had been his first car, which he had bought as an impecunious student in 1957 for £5.   Inspection of Register records showed that in 2013, the then owner
Alan Price had contacted the Register.  Alan’s father originally acquired the car in 1980 and Alan himself has worked on it on and off since he inherited it,
so it had been in the same family for 33 years by then.  Alan had finally decided at that point that he wanted to pass it on.  I relayed this information to Guy who contacted Alan
to see if he could tell him who he had sold it to.  he was surprised and delighted to dicover that Alan still had the car.  Guy was able to purchase the car (for a little more than £5!)
and has now been reunited with FS 5294 after a gap of fifty seven years!  Guy reports that FS 5294 is in very solid condition and has obviously been well looked after over the years.

This is a tremendous example of the value of the Register and the best possible conclusion to Guy's search.

Below we see Guy with FS 5294 in 1958.  He sold the car in 1961 for £15 and after covering 10,000 miles.
The photo was taken somewhere in Northumberland, north of Newcastle.  Guy was 20 at the time and the “L” plate was for his flatmate who had just started to drive.
Guy recalls that the Morris put him off for a bit!

15th October 2017  Meet Lily, a charmingly attractive 1910 Talbot 4AB tourer, registration number A238.  Lily belongs to new VMR member Dr. David Pike
who lives in farthest Pembrokeshire and also owns a 1927 Darraq DTS and a 1931 Sunbeam 18.2 coupe saloon.  David has entered his Darraq in our 2018 Summer Rally.
Membership of the Register is now open to owners and enthusiasts of all pre-war cars, that is, all the cars that survived World War Two.

15th October 2017  This unique 1934 long wheelbase Minor with fixed head coupe body by Holden is currently being offered on eBay in Australia.
The car, with chassis number 34/ML/38171, is being offered by Anthony Barbara on behalf of his elderly father Paul.
The sister car with chassis 34/ML/38172 has also survived, fitted with an open tourer body, also by Holden.
The car has been in the family for forty years.  Let us hope that it finds a good home.

7th October 2017 Today we welcome Matt Boroweicki to Register membership.  Matt has been a solid supporter of our events for many years with his 1929 Chummy, being a regular competitor
on the Austin team for the Lewis & Nicholson Compass, competed for annually on our Navigation Rally between Team Austin Seven and Team Morris Minor.
Membership of the Register is now open to owners and enthusiasts of all pre-war cars - even Austin Sevens!

Hereis a short but delightful YouTube video made by Matt at this year's Pre-War Prescott.

6th October 2017  As of noon today, our Summer Rally and Pre-War Prescott 2018 is officially up and running!
Download the entry form here.  The Rally website can be found here and the Pre-War Prescott website can be found here

6th October 2017  David Rolfe and daughter Philippa were spotted by David Hinds on the VSCC's Welsh Trial today in his newly-restored 1930 Minor tourer.  UR 7238 now carries corrected coachwork.
Here is what he started with.  They scored a very creditable 212 on the trial, not bad for only the car's second sporting trial.  Two other Minors were entered this weekend which is very good to see.
Ben Maeers entered the family 1929 tourer 'Dorothy' PG 5664 and Martin Redmond and Graham Goode entered Martin's Semi-sports special BS 9400 in the Sunday Trial.
However, sadly, Martin broke a bone in his foot last week and had to scratch.  But he reports that he should be fit for the Lakeland in November.
The weather was superbly sunny and warm on Sunday and several other larger Morrises could be seen rumbling up the various sections including
the Major of Pete Williams (left below) and his brother Nick Williams' red Cowley, which was good to witness.  Sam Makins (seen putting air back in the rear tyre)
was one of Nick's bouncers (son of Ian Makins, former BNMC editor from Ludlow, who can be seen sat in the back of the car sporting the woolen hat).
Nick finished slightly ahead of his brother in the results.  All great stuff!

(Photo - Nick Williams)

29th September 2017  Earlier this week, this 1933 Minor fixed head coupé, bodied by Archie Maddox of Huntingdon arrived at VMR HQ in Seattle from Picton, Ontario where it has resided since 2011.
Prior to that it was a resident at the Ellingson Motor Museum in Minnesota for many years.  It will be the subject of a thorough mechanical servicing over the winter and then be shipped to its new home
in Cirencester where Jayne and I will use it during our summer holidays in England.  For the rest of the year it will be run by our very good friends Peter and Ally Balding at whose home it will reside.
As far as we know, Maddox only built this single coupe on a SV Minor chassis.  It was shipped to the USA some time in the eighties, and its history prior to that is currently the subject of research.
The seller in Canada, VMR member Ian Samuel, is delighted that the car is to be repatriated to travel the byways of the glorious Cotswolds.
Follow the progress of the Maddox recommissioning in the 'Our Cars' section of our forum here.

In the late summer of 1928, this early Morris Minor fabric saloon was taken on a publicity tour of Norfolk.
Here we see it parked at Horsey Mere windpump, now restored and owned by the National Trust.

(UD 2483 is the only vehicle to have its registration number written in the Morris Minor Progress Books, from which we learn that the chassis number was MM119,
or the nineteenth production Minor built.  In the remarks column is written "This car being run experimentally at Cowley UD 2483".)

16th September 2017  The Centenary of the Morris Minor and the M Type MG will occur in 2028.  This might seem a long way off, but perhaps not so in terms of restoration project timescales.
The Register is therefore delighted to announce that we will be celebrating the Centenary in style, with the twin targets of gathering ONE HUNDRED pre-war Minors, and ONE HUNDRED M Type MG's
for a major celebration in the summer of 2028.  Details of the dates and venues are unimportant at this early stage, but it is hoped that this announcement will encourage owners of examples
that are currently unrestored (and there are many) to set 2028 as their goal to complete their restorations.  Look out for more details in our Autumn Magazine and in upcoming Newsletters.

12th August 2017  1933 Maddox-bodied Minor EN 5810 is about to be shipped from Picton, Ontario to VMR HQ in Seattle, USA
where it will receive a full service before being shipped to Southampton and on to Tarlton, Gloucestershire which will become its new home.
There it will be cared for and driven by Peter and Ally Balding.  Ian Samuel acquired this unique Minor in 2011 from the Ellingson Car Museum
in Rogers, Minnesota.  Ian has now sold it on to Jayne and I and we we will be using it extensively on our annual trips to England,
starting with our 2018 Summer Rally.  The original British registration EN 5810 is in the process of being recovered.

12th August 2017 The August Newsletter was circulated electrically today.  E-mail us if you didn't receive a copy but would like to.
A copy may also be found in the Members' Area of the website.

5th August 2017 The weekend after Prescott saw the Register holding its inaugural Pre-War Shuttleworth event in conjunction with the de Havilland Moth Club who were holding
their second annual Gathering of Moths at Old Warden.  Four Minors were present out of the entry of around 25 pre-war cars that pre-booked.
Once again, the pessimistic weather forecast put off many of the Moths, but the actual weather was fair and sunny.
Moths and Minors make a good mix, particularly as most Tiger Moths were built by Morris Motors at Cowley!  (Photo Keith Herkes)

5th August 2017  Just back home from our Summer Rally weekend and getting sorted.  It was another fabulous weekend with nearly 200 entries, and 60 cars entered the Sunday run.
The weather forecast was poor but the actual weather was sunny apart from a short period of rain on Saturday morning and a few sprinkles late on Saturday afternoon,
none of which dampened spirits.  The forecast put off many, while there was an equal number of cars that turned up on the day without pre-booking.
Sadly, of the twelve Minors booked in, only five showed up.  One of those was Sarah Gibson (above) with her 1932 McEvoy, now sporting an original and correct Zoller supercharger.
The mounting plates had been stored at the back of the garage for decades, their purpose completely unknown until the Zoller was acquired, and the mounts lined up perfectly
with the holes in the chassis!  The next step will be to connect it to the crankshaft via a fabric coupling.  A full report on the weekend will be included in our next Magazine.

29th June 2017  With just over three weeks go to our Summer Rally weekend and Pre-War Prescott, we have another superb weekend in the making!
As of this morning we already have 14 Minors entered, as well as a record twelve M Type MG's.
We have a total of 149 entries, representing virtually all of the major pre-war marques, plus some fascinating rarities.
We also have a record 58 entries for the Sunday Navigation Rally and parallel Scenic Tour, so a fantastic Sunday is also in store.
If you have not yet entered, please do so at your earliest convenience!
You can enter directly online here.
The Pre-War Prescott website can also be found here.

11th April 2017 The Register is a subscribing member of the Federation of British Historic Vehicle Clubs which does so much to preserve our right to use our pre-war cars
on the open road in the 21st century.  Every spring, the FBHVC organizes a Drive it Day which gives owners the opportunity to showcase their cars to the general public,
to generate great PR for us all and of course it also offers a great excuse to dust of our cars and perhaps take them for their first run of the year, very probably to the pub!
Thus, all Register members are warmly encouraged to do just that on Sunday 23rd April.  Take your box Brownie, take some snaps and send them in to the Register for publishing
in the May Newsletter!

And if you live within pootling distance of Bicester, why not pootle along to Bicester Heritage on the day for their Sunday Scramble.
Our very good friends at Finest Hour Experiences will be offering Tiger Moth flying lessons on site, click here to book your 20 minute flying slot.

By the way, the FBHVC published their second Newsletter of the year today and a copy may be found in the Members' Area of this website.
Always an informative read.

9th April 2017  After a protracted and meticulous restoration with many twists and turns, Halbe Tjepkema's
1929 fabric saloon VG 2007 (M14258) is very nearly ready for the road in Holland.
Left to complete are the wiring, propshaft and carb. and also the beading and part of the interior but she will be on the road this year!

Jim and YD 4198 at Claverton on our 2002 Summer Rally

30th March 2017 Jim Peacop is offering his rare and sporting McEvoy for sale at the Brightwells auction on 5th April.  Estimate £15,000 to £18,000.
Here is the catalogue.  Jim purchased this car from an advertisement in the Blackpool Evening Gazette in 1962.  Fitted at the time with a Morris 8 engine,
he has since fitted a SV Minor unit.

26th March 2017  It has been another fabulous weekend in sunny Wales, where the Light Car Section of the VSCC meet every spring.
New member Alistair Bond entered his Semi-sports which is seen here beside Ben Maeers' tourer 'Dorothy'.
I will be posting many more photos on the forum shortly.

This is YOUR chance to run up Prescott in a Ferrari 458!

25th March 2017  Planning for our Summer Rally and Pre-War Prescott are advancing apace.

We are very excited to announce that Cotswold Motorsport will be bringing three supercars to Prescott to act as Course Cars for the day.
Not only will they act as Course Cars, but we will be holding a raffle on the day, the three lucky winners of which will have the opportunity to run up the hill
in one of these cars, including a fabulous Ferrari 458!  The winning tickets will be drawn immediately after the lunchtime auction.

More exciting news!  In past years, we have held an auction of donated spares and
automobilia with the proceeds being donated to the RAF Charitable Trust.  After discussion with Hereford Vintage Auctions and the Trust,
we can now announce that this year, Hereford Vintage Auctions will be holding a full-blown charity auction with the net proceeds going to the sellers and the commissions
donated to the Trust.  Lots are now invited from members and non-members alike and will be posted here, so that everyone can view the lots in advance of the weekend.
We would also welcome donated items as in previous years, and 100% of the proceeds from these will be donated to the Trust.
So this is your opportunity to turn your unwanted spares, automobilia and even your pre-war car into hard cash, and support a very good cause at the same time.

24th March 2017  And this OHC Minor (chassis M16710) is currently being offered on eBay Australia here.
Apparently it has been in storage for 46 years.  It was originally shipped to Australia as an export chassis.

23rd March 2017 This M Type has just been sold by Ken Macken in Australia.  2M/2712 was originally registered BG 168 in England.
Ken bought it from late Mr Brian Flowers (his neighbour of some 33 years).   The car was purchased in England in the early 1970’s by Rob Dunsterville
for Brian ans shipped out with other pre-war MG’s.

Rear wheels spinning and four hands on the roof.  A classic photo of Paul Rogers and his father Barry on the 2005 Light Car Welsh.  (Jim Wood)

20th March 2017  Next weekend the Light Car and Edwardian Section of the VSCC will hold their traditional and highly popular Welsh Weekend,
based once more at the Metropole Hotel, Llandrindod Wells.  This year, Steve Kent will be entering his 1929 tourer MM 9385, the first event that
this Minor has ever entered. Originally exported to Malta, MM 9385 returned to England aboard the Ark Royal 1954.  Good luck Steve!
In all, a very creditable eight Minors plus an M Type are entered.

Saturday will see entrants taking to the roads for a 65 or so mile circular tour on the quiet local roads to a secret destination with some surprises on the way.
There will be short cuts available for the more elderly and infirm (both cars and drivers!), and little in the way of hills meaning that it is ideal for you
to bring out older and less powerful cars.  This will be followed in the evening by the legendary Section Annual Dinner and Awards at The Metropole Hotel
in the heart of this scenic spa town.  On Sunday everyone will be up early for the Trial, finishing in time for lunch.  In a break from tradition the minimum age
or entrants for the Trial has been lowered to 14 subject to the front seat passenger being competent to take control if required and to drive between sections.

20th March 2017 The VSCC's Herefordshire Trial took place over the weeekend based at How Caple Court near Ross-on-Wye.
Two M Types (those of Davids Rolfe and Rushton) took part.  The Minor of Martin Redmond (above) also took part
with Graham Goode driving and Martin bouncing, here seen on Pinford Rocks.
Martin reports, "We had a stunning Saturday, being fairly dry and dropped only 3 points out of an available 210.
Sunday was back to a pretty Morrissey sort of day but reasonable in its way.  We are hopeful of getting half way up the results board!"
More great photos from the weekend have been posted on the Forum.  (This photo Steve Kent)

18th March 2017  A forlorn sight.  This 1934 Minor saloon is currently being offered for sale in Toledo, Washington State, USA.
It comes with a 1933 saloon body.  EV 9245 was originally registered in Essex in early 1934.  How it came to the USA is unknown,
and it appears not to have been registered for road use in the USA.

Will Clark 1920 to 2017

This photo was taken on Will's 95th Birthday when he was finally presented with his World War Two campaign medals
by the Chief of the Air Staff, Sir Andrew Pulford at St. Paul’s Cathedral, London.

17th March 2017  An old friend of the Register, Will Clark passed away peacefully early this morning in the Queen’s Medical Center, Nottingham.
Will was not a vintage car owner, but was an enthusiastic supporter of the Register.  He was a World War Two Hurricane pilot who donated the last dozen copies
of his wartime memoirs to the Register to help fund the display by Peter Vacher's Hawker Hurricane at Prescott in 2015.
I have relayed condolences on behalf of all of us to his daughter and family.

8th March 2017  In past years, we have enjoyed the awesome sight and sound of  the RAF Battle of Britain Memorial Flight's Spitfire, Hurricane and Lancaster over Pre-War Prescott.
We can now announce that this year the Flight has allocated us their iconic 1942 Douglas C-47 Dakota ZA947.
ZA947 is currently painted to represent Dakota FZ692 of No 233 Squadron, around the D-Day period in 1944.  This aircraft, which was named ‘Kwicherbichen’ by her crews,
was involved in para-dropping operations on the eve of D-Day and subsequently in re-supply and casualty evacuation missions into and out of forward airfields in the combat areas.
The female nurses who escorted the casualties on these flights became known as ‘The Flying Nightingales’.
By the end of 1944, 1,092 stretcher cases and 467 sitting wounded had been evacuated to England by the 233 Squadron Dakotas.
The Dakota will make a stirring sight and sound over the hill on Saturday.
To read more about the 233 Squadron operations, Dakota FZ692 ‘Kwicherbichen’ and aeromedical casualty evacuation in 1944, go here.

5th March 2017  The superb resurrection of what is believed to be the only surviving 1930 Australian-bodied Morris Minor Bullet is nearing completion in New Zealand.
The restoration is all the more remarkable as the car as recovered from a farm in a decrepit condition, sunk half way up the wheels in mud.
Note the drawing of an original Bullet on the workshop wall.  The chassis, M29833, was laid down 27th October 1930
and exported without body to Australia.  More images on our Forum.

Morris Minor Bullets were originally created and distributed by S. A. Cheney Motors (Victoria) Pty. Ltd.
Their advert below shows a marvelously art deco rendition of a Bullet at speed.
An example was tested in August 1930 and achieved 62.2 mph over a measured mile.

5th March 2017 Entries for our Summer Rally are running well ahead of this point last year.  As of today we have forty entries for Saturday at Prescott.
We also have a fantastic 26 entries for the navigation rally and parallel scenic tour on Sunday which is 50% of full capacity.  So if you are planning to make a weekend of it,
may I suggest that you get your entry in without delay as we are bound to be fully subscribed long before the weekend.
You can check out the entry list here which is updated as entries arrive.
You can enter online for either or both days here, or download the Entry Form here.
The Summer Rally wesbite can be found here, and the Pre-War Prescott website can be found here.

4th March 2017  More OHC tourer news.  HY 1833 (M32707) was registered in the spring of 1931 and is currently for sale by Maurice Kirk - the famed Flying Vet.
Maurice has owned this car for many years and was at one point converting it to run on gas!  He's selling it to help fund his recent flight in his Piper Cub
to the Cape from Greece during which he lost power and force landed in the middle of nowhere, but was found safe some time later.
Back in the sixties this tourer was owned by Rod King in Bristol and at that time had a collision with a fire engine.
The above photo was taken on Madeira Drive, Brighton on the Morris Eight Tourer Club’s London to Brighton Run in 1966.
Left to right – Rod King, Ken Martin with his well-known saloon VX 4590 and others unknown.  (Photo - Ken Martin)
It is currently on offer on eBay here.  Note that altough chassis M32707 was laid down 12th March 1931, ALL OHC Minors are now VSCC eligible.

The eBay blurb states, "It is now in need of restoration recommissioning.  The engine is dismantled but complete less the radiator.
There is a spare engine and gearbox also to go with it."

The photo below shows Rodney King in the tourer at Maiden Castle just after he acquired it in 1964.
See more photos and history on the Forum.  A very good car to save.  If you buy it, please let us know!

26th February 2017 It is not often that a previously-unknown OHC Minor tourer surfaces - particularly when they are in sound restored condition.
This 1930 example, DV 3600 (M18960), was recently sold by Castle Classic Cars of Wadhurst, Sussex.
Does anyone know the new owner?

25th February 2017  Also congratulations to new member Paul Brigden on the acquistion of 1929 Minor tourer FL 7665 (M3962) from Derek Tew.
The Minor joins Paul's M Type project in Amersham and in destined for action on our rallies and in the VSCC's Light Car & Edwardian Section.

..

25th February 2017  Congratulations to Peter Vacher on his acquisition of these two Post Office vans from Lester Pearson of Eye, Suffolk.
Members will recall that Peter recently sold his Battle of Britain Hawker Hurricane and has since restored a de Havilland Puss Moth to full flying condition.
The Post Office van on the left (ELO 290) is to be restored for use as a tender vehicle for the Puss Moth.
Peter's wife Polly owns the earliest known surviving SV Minor, chassis SV107.

18th December 2016 Today we welcome two new members to the Register.  Roger Tushinghamn has recently aquired an M Type
and Anthony McGarel-Groves, a regular Pre-War Prescott attendee joins with his 1937 Alvis Speed 25 Charlsworth DHC.
Welcome both!

17th December 2016  Today the final Club Newsletter of the year was distributed to all members and our Pre-War Prescott friends.
A copy may also be found in the Members' Area of the website.  Contact the Register if you have forgotten the username and password!
This issue contains some very important news regarding a brand new Club event for 2017.  The clue is in the image above!

17th December 2016  Here's wishing everyone a wonderful Christmas and a vintage New Year!

30th November 2016 Today the 2017 Vintage Minor Register calendar was uploaded to the Members' Area of the website.
Both A4 and 8.5" x 11" versions are downloadable as printable  Adobe pdf files.  Also uploaded today to the Members' Area is the 2017 Pre-War Prescott
2017 calendar - also in both formats.  Both calendars feature our 2016 Summer Rally and Pre-War Prescott.

29th July 2016  Today the November Newsletter was launched into the ether and all members should have received a copy.
If not, then members can access this and all our past Newsletters in the Members' Area of the website.
Contact the Register if you have forgotten the username and password!
Also, the latest FBHVC Newsletter has been uploaded to the Members' Area.

27th November 2016  Today we welcome Bill Fuller of Queensland, Australia to the Register. Bill owns this 1930 M Type export model,
exported as a chassis and Australian-bodied.

2nd September 2016  Welcome to new member Michael Slater who has acquired Colin Lee's 1930 Minor saloon.  Mike is busy working on the car,
sorting hub studs and kingpins, etc.  We also welcome new members Richard Prest, well-known in VSCC circles with his Bullnose Morris
and Evie Formhalls of Formhalls Racing and Engineering who regularly supports us at Pre-War Prescott.

6th June 2016  A reminder that, as a susbcribing member club of the Federation of British Historic Vehicle Clubs, we are automatically subscribed
to their excellent bi-monthly magazine.  The latest issue shown here can be found in the Members' Area of this website along with past issues
going back to 2013, when we joined.

24th May 2016  Today we welcome Stuart Stubbs to the Register.  Stuart has acquired 1930 Minor saloon PN 6603 (M28933).

18th May 2016  We warmly welcome Conrad Mershon to the Register.  Conrad lives in Florada where he keeps his immaculate 1934 Minor saloon,
with which he has won numerous awards over the years.  Conrad shipped APK 552 to Florida 25 years ago.

29th April 2016  And today we warmly welcome Mike Wevill from Devon to membership with his 1934 MG PA.  Mike has also entered Pre-War Prescott, so we look forward to meeting him there.
As of today, we have no less than 36 MMM MG's booked in for Pre-War Prescott, so it is going to be a tremendous Morris/MG day.

29th April 2016  Congratulations to Clive Hamilton-Gould for his latest driving test success.  He gained a Third on the new VSCC AotoSolo event at Silvertsone last Saturday.
AutoSolos are a wonderful addition to the VSCC sporting calendar and are highly suited to pre-war cars.  Tests are simple, all-forward affairs and don’t include any of the awkward reversing
you can expect to encounter at standard Driving Tests.  Clive just beat just beating Mark Garfitt in his 319 BMW. (Photo Phil Jones)

16th April 2016  The final trial of the season saw Martin Redmond out once again last weekend in his Minor Semi-sports special.
Here we see his bouncer abandoning the sinking ship.  Scoring 155 points, he was just short of an award.  Our new member Charles Gillett gained a First in his Bugatti Brescia,
while David Rushton picked up a Second in his M Type.  Thanks to Gary Clarke for this great photo.

5th April 2016  Today we welcome John Fincher of Victoria, Australia back to the Register with his MG M Type replica built on
OHC Minor chassis M10767.

25th March 2016  It's official.  The VMR will be holding its second Australasian Rally over the Easter weekend 2018,
in conjunction with the Morris Register of Queensland.  All VMR members worldwide are very warmly invited.
There will be much more news anon, but for now, here's the Rally Brochure and entry form.
The Rally will be centred around the incomparable Frazer Coast of Queensland.
Jayne and I are extremely excited to announce that we will be attending in person and look forward
so much to meeting as many members as possible.  Save the date - 30th March to April 2nd.

25th March 2016  Today we welcome Roger Davies to the Register with his 1934 MG PA 2-seater (PA0454), looking little changed since the war.

24th March 2016  Today we welcome Charles Gillett to the Register with his 1930 Minor saloon.  Here we see DY 8063 in the capable hands of Philip and Christine Parkinson
on the VSCC Herefordshire earlier this month.  Since acquiring the Minor, Charles has enetred a number of trials, including last year's Lakeland Trial.
He was unable to enter the Herefordshire, so loaned the car to Philip and Christine for the weekend.
They were second in class after the first day but fell back on the second.  Apparently they had not refuelled and had the tap on ‘main’
and on two hills the car lost power probably due to lack of fuel as the tank was low and only just above the main.
It is tremendous to see a Minor saloon entering VSCC main club trials once again.
Charles tells us "My other trials car is a Brescia Bugatti, so when I say I enjoy the Morris, I mean it!!"

22nd March 2016 And today we warmly welcome Michael Barber with his Hundred Pound Minor and M Type, fresh from the VSCC Derbyshire Trial.

21st March 2015  Today we welcome Peter Woodley to the Register with his M Type 2M/1041 (549 HYM, was originally RB 667).
What a super looking project!

19th March 2016 Today we extend a very warm welcome to Murray Maclean who joins us with his rare and delightful 1929 Alvis 12/50 Doctor's Coupe.
At 88, Murray has owned this car for 52 years and it was used by him as regular transport until he retired.

18th March 2016  Today we welcome back Mike Tebbett to the Register.  Mike was a founder member with membership no. 28 way back in 2000.
Today he drives this rakish 1921 GN Salmson which he has entered for Pre-War Prescott this year.
Mike is also well-known as the Editor of the VSCC Light Car & Edwardian Section's excellent magazine.

18th March 2016  The March issue of the combined Vintage Minor Register/Pre-War Prescott Newsletter was distributed around the globe this morning,
and can be read here.  A copy has been lodged in the Member's Area alongside all previous issues.

12th March 2016 Following last weekend’s successful John Harris Trial in Derbyshire, VSCC competitors head this weekend to the Wye Valley for the next round of the trials season,
the Herefordshire Trial, based at How Caple Court near Ross-on-Wye.  Here are the two M entries of Rolfe and Rushton earlier today.
Super spring weather at last!
(Photo David Hinds)

M Type 2/M 700 taking shape in South Africa with owner and new member Tony Lyons-Lewis.
Delivered on 15th November 1929 to Donovan Charles Baird of Wimbledon, London, this car was entered in the Lands End Trial of 1930.
This brings to 52 the number of M Types currently owned by Register members.

8th March 2016  Today we extend a very warm welcome to four new Register members.  Keith Fowlie of Hervey Bay, Queensland, Australia has recently acquired Col Schiller's
1929 Minor roadster, chassis Y273, one of the rare Australian export chassis that were sent to Australia at the end of 1929 in CKD form.  Keith hopes to have the restoration
complete for our Easter 2018 Rally in Queensland.  We also welcome Neville Barraclough of Llanfairpwllgwyngyllgogerychwyrndrobwllllantysiliogogogoch
with his Hundred Pound Minor 2-seater.  At first I wondered how I was going to put that on his Magazine address label, but apparently the common abbreviation is Llanfair TH.  Phew!
Next up is Tony Lyons-Lewis of Knysna, South Africa who joins us with his 1929 M Type MG (above).  Lastly, Murray Maclean joins us with his 1929 Alvis 12/50 which
he expects to bring to Pre-War Prescott in July.  Welcome all!

6th March 2016  Mud, mud, glorious mud!  A great Phil Jones action shot of Martin Redmond on the VSCC's John Harris Trial in Derbyshire yesterday.
In addition, four M types entered - those of Messrs Dark, Rolfe, Rushton and Barber.
This particular hill included this jump just after the start, and unless you went for it, a low score was assured.
Three M's went for it.  Barber lined up, and then changed his mind.
More great Phil Jones shots from the day will be included in our spring Magazine, M 157.

24th February 2016  Don't forget the Brooklands Museum Austin Morris Day on Sunday March 6th.
Full details here.

23rd February 2016 Welcome to new member Andrew Fearnley who owns this interesting 1934 Minor shooting brake, and we also welcome Peter Robinson who owns a 1932 Minor pickup,
both vehicles being conversions from saloons.  Peter's pickup was seen in the 1999 screen play of Rosamunde Pilcher's 'Nancherrow' as a builder's truck.

22nd February 2016  The February Newslettter was distributed electrically today, and a copy has been lodged in the Newsletters section in the Members' Area.

19th February 2016 We welcome Arthur Bell to the Register with his 1933 Minor saloon.  Arthur traveled almost four thousand miles in this car last year.
Arthur had been looking for a tourer since 2013, but eventually found this very smart saloon.  Welcome Arthur!
(Photo Authur Bell)

19th February 2016  We extend a warm welcome to Ian Goddard of Leominster who joins us with his 1931 MG F1 (now to F2 specification), chassis F 0283.
Here we see Ian at the wheel as he leaves the startline at Pre-War Prescott last year.  Ian also has a P Type in build.
(Photo Phil Jones)

PV 1660 'Sweet Pea' at Angoulême, September last year for le Circuit International des Remparts

19th February 2016  Welcome to Tim Luffingham of Tonbridge who joins us with his 1934 MG PA four-seater PV 1660, chassis PA 1392.
Tim acquired this car early last year.
(Photo Tim Luffingham)

The front cover of our spring magazine features David and Claire Rolfe with their daughters Eleanor and Philippa
enjoying the VSCC Cotswold Trial in November.

12th February 2016  The Winter Magazine was posted worldwide by our new print shop earlier today.
This issue was delayed somewhat by the closure of our previous print shop after over eighty years.
Finding and then transferring the operation to the new printers has taken some time, but we are confident
that the result will be worth the wait.  Meanwhile, our spring 2016 issue nears completion and will be deivered
to the print shop by the end of this month, thereby getting us back on schedule.

12th February 2016  Peter and Steph Field of Nelson, New Zealand own this early Hundred Pound Minor, chassis SV1012.
This chassis was laid down at Cowley 85 years ago today.  To celebrate, Peter and Steph took their car for a Birthday run out to
Belgrove to take this picture beside the restored windmill that pumped water for the Nelson Railway steam trains.

Belgrove was the terminus of the Nelson Railway Line from 1881 to 1899.  Road transport continued from there to the West Coast.
Belgrove was an important station until the closure of the line in 1955.  Windmills were once a common feature of the railway landscape
and those remaining are visible links with the age of steam locomotives.  The Nelson railway line was an important focus for the development
of the province and the Belgrove windmill is one of only two such structures remaining in New Zealand.
 A birthday lunch was had in Wakefield where many people asked questions about the Morris.  It was a great day.

9th February 2016  Today we welcome Ian Davison of Haverhill, Suffolk to the Register with his 1933 MG J2, seen here at Pre-War Prescott 2015.
(Photo Phil Jones)

8th February 2016 We also welcome John Emmett to the Register.  John owns this 1932 MG J1 (J0346), seen here at Pre-War Prescott,
as well and a 1932 D Type (D0430) and and M Type (2M/687) under restoration.
John has entered his J1 again for Pre-War Prescott 2016.
(Photo Chris Lambert)

8th February 2016  Today we welcome Jon Streeter to the Register.  Jon has acquired this 1929 tourer (M15076) and is currently overhauling the engine
for the coming vintage motoring season.  This is the ex-the late Richard Shuker's car that Richard re-imported to the UK from the USA where it
was owned by Arthur Hulnick many decades ago.

1st February 2016  This fascinating book has just been published by the SU Carburetter Company.  In addition to the history of the relevant members of the Skinner family and the SU Company,
the book has two chapters devoted to Barbara and Peter Skinner's hillclimbing and sprinting activities in the 1930s' and includes the details and history of the five Skinner Specials -
three of which survive to this day.  Another chapter covers the period leading up to and during World War Two when the SU Company manufactured aero-carburetters
initially for the stillborn Wolseley radial aero-engines which led onto them producing carburetters for the Rolls-Royce Merlin and Griffon and the Napier Sabre aero-engines
for many of the RAF's aircraft.  In 1944 the Merlin 100 series engines used in the Mosquito had SU single-point fuel injection.
Order your copy here.

1st February 2016  Today we extend a warm welcome to Steven Kent of Leigh Sinton, Worcestershire who has acquired this 1929 Minor tourer
from member Nick Williams.  Its claim to fame is that it was exported new to Malta, then repatriated to the UK in 1954 aboard the Ark Royal aircraft carrier,
whereupon it was registered JBK 920.  This number was evidently lost after DVLA computerization and has more recently acquired the number MM 9385.
Welcome Steven!

31st January 2016  The VSCC held their traditional New Year Driving Tests at Brooklands today.
The weather was as might be expected in January with drizzle enough to soak the paper instructions by the end of the first couple of tests.
The Brooklands Museum is currently spending millions on new buildings and moving the Wellington hangar off the finishing straight.
This hangar is about to be taken down sent away for repair and then rebuilt in its new position.
Several VMR members competed and a full report will appear in the spring Magazine.
(Photo - Clive Hamilton-Gould)

31st January 2016 The 2016 Summer Rally webpage was launched today!
Find the page here and download your Entry Form here.

30th January 2016  The January Newsletter was launched into the ether yesterday and a copy may be found in the Members' Area.

Alan Cameron Gilg and Walter Kay (driving) at speed during the making of the Granada TV documentary 'Once in a Lifetime' in 1978

15th January 2016  We have been contacted by Chris Kay who is the nephew of Walter Kay, who members will know as half of the
1933 Gilg and Kay expedition in a brand new Morris Minor tourer from Liverpool to the Cape.
Alan Gilg and Walter Kay lost touch after the expedition and only met again in 1978 when Granada TV made their documentary TV programme of the expedition
entitled 'Turn Left, the Riffs have Risen'.  After that reunion, the families lost contact again.  The Register has been in contact with the Gilg family for several years and now
another Gilg and Kay reunion is a very real prospect - 38 years after the last one!  Chris has an additional wealth of photos and memorabilia relating to
his uncle's fascinating life and the expedition.  Follow this breaking story as it unfolds on our Forum.

1st January 2016  Next up, David Hinds 'took' his M Type to the New Inn at Pembridge today.  Actually, this is David's garage - opposite the pub!
His house is appropriately named Garage House.

1st January 2016 Meanwhile, it was somewhat colder in England!  Here's a well-wrapped Mike Wood at The Duke at Bratton near Westbury in Wiltshire
in his slightly later 2-seater 'Henry'.  Mike reports, "After the mildest December on record, New Year's Day started very cold and has turned wet this afternoon."

Peter Field's 1931 Hundred Pound Minor (SV1012) at Cable Bay, New Zealand, New Year's Day 2016.

1st January 2016 Since New Zealand is one of the first countries to greet the New Year, it was perhaps appropriate that the first images of 2016 would come from there.
Peter Field who lives in Nelson near the north end of South Island reports:
"Hi Ian, A response to your request for pictures on Jan 1 2016.  This afternoon we went on a family picnic with the Minor to Cable Bay, 20 miles from home.
It was a beautiful day with 25 degree C temp.  A great place for fishing and swimming, the bay is so named because in the late 1800s it was the terminal for the
first telephone cable between Australia and New Zealand.  The picture above shows the boulder bank across the bay with open sea to the left
and a to the right, with a mudflat that is only covered with water at high tide."

11th December 2015  We extend a particularly warm welcome to our newest member, Albert Koolma of The Hague, Holland.
Albert today became our 500th Register member.  He and two friends have just bought this Hundred Pound Minor and,
as you can see, share it equally.  (That's Albert in the rear seat.)  Albert's other car is a 1933 MG J2 (below) with which he entered Pre-War Prescott
in July as part of the Dutch MG contingent organized by the Dutch MG Workshop.  Welcome Albert!

11th December 2015.  The 2016 Register calendar has now been sent to every member and is also downloadable from the Members' Area of the website.
The 2016 calendar features fine images from our 2015 Summer Rally.  If you would like a hard copy, please contact the Register.

The historic moment when two Minors met in the middle of the Sahara.  A screenshot from Disk 2.

29th November 2015  How about this for a unique Christmas gift?  At long last we are now able to offer complete sets of the original 8 mm cine films taken by Cameron Gilg
and Walter Kay on their record-breaking Liverpool to Capetown expedition in 1933 in a brand new Morris Minor tourer.  These original and fragile films were lost in the seventies
when Granada TV made a documentaty of the expedition.  After years of searching, the originals, still in their pre-war leather suitcase, were rediscovered
in a film archive in the Midlands and have now been digitally re-mastered, preserving them for all time.  The Vintage Minor Register is delighted to be able to offer
the complete set of films which fill no less than seven DVD's.  The set comes with a free copy of the 1970's Granada TV documentary.
The complete set of eight DVD's is yours for £40 including worldwide shipping.  If you would like to order a set, please contact the Register.

27th November 2015  Joining us today is Alan Filby with his 1931 SV Minor saloon DG 3005 (SV4383).
Alan purchased this car for twenty five pounds from Wyboston Garages Ltd, of Bedford on 11th July 1957
which means that he has owned and driven it for 58 years.  Is this a Minor ownership record?
Welcome Alan!

Among our recent new members is Nick Williams who has just acquired MM 9385 - a 1929 tourer with an interesting history,
including being repartiated to the UK from Malta in 1954 aboard the Ark Royal.

21st November 2015  After the rush of the Summer Rally, things have been quiet of the last couple of months, but that is about to change
as we start the run-up to 2016.  Our 2016 Summer Rally is set for 16th/17th July and entries will be open by the end of November.
In anticipation, the Pre-War Prescott website is undergoing a complete upgrade at www.prewarprescott.com.
We have had a host of new member since July and many are listed in the Autumn Magazine that should be with every member in the next few days.
Welcome, one and all!  Also in the next few days, the 2016 subs forms will be sent to everyone.
Your continued support of the Register is very much appreciated.

26th July 2015  Just arrived back in Seattle yesterday after a hugely successful Summer Rally.  We gathered over 150 cars at Prescott on Saturday
and followed this with a record entry of forty on Sunday for the Enigma Navigation Rally and Scenic Tour.  We were incredibly lucky with the weather,
with only a brief shower mid-morning on Sunday.  In particular, we had a lovely summer evening for the Hawker Hurricane display on Saturday evening
where 168 members and guests witnessed a superb aerobatic display by R4118.  We also welcomed five new members to the Register over the weekend.
A full report on the weekend will be included in Magazine M 155.

5th July 2015  We extend a very warm welcome to Tim McLoughlin who joined the Register this week.
Tim has driven post-war Minors for ten years or so, and his daily drive is a 1954 Minor.  But he has decided to take the plunge
and acquire a vintage Minor.  We are actively helping him with his search!

5th July 2015  Down in New South Wales, Ewan Lambess has completed the monumental restoration of Y329 - one of those rare late 1929
chassis that were exported by Morris Motors in 'knocked' down' form to avoid Australian import duties.  What makes this a monumental resotration is
the fact that when Ewan acquired the car, it was a derelict chassis- in two pieces!  It was cut in half sometime in the fifties
and the rear was made into a trailer.  Nice job Ewan!
There are many more photos of the restoration on on Fourm here.

4th July 2015  Our Summer Rally is two weeks today!  We are expecting another record turnout.  The 14-day weather forecast is looking great,
we have a superb entry of around 140 cars with more arriving every day.  We have 142 tickets taken up for the Saturday
evening Battle of Britain Victory Party where the highlight will be the display by Battle of Britain Hawker Hurricane R4118.
We also have a superb 40 cars entered for the Sunday Navigation Rally and Scenic Tour.
Jayne and I are flying to London a week today and can't wait to meet everyone again!
If you  have not yet entered - with or without your car - do so IMMEDIATELY!

1st July 2015  We extend a warm welcome to Gerry Annett and his 1932 D Type MG.  Gerry has booked in for Pre-War Prescott
and is taking advantage of the discounted entry fee for VMR members.  We look forward very much to meeting Gerry at Prescott.

18th June 2015  Our Summer Rally is one month today!  Planning is going extremely well for our biggest and best rally ever which will include for the first time
a convoy of World War Two military and RAF ‘heavy’ vehicles.  These will be coming to us from the Ashdown military camp near Evesham.
So don’t be surprised if you are met by the Military Police on the gate when you arrive!  If you are planning to come along for the Pre-War Prescott Garden Party
and day of untimed climbs on Saturday 18th July and/or the Navigation Rally or Scenic Tour on Sunday 19th, then please get your entry in without delay
so that we can arrange to get your tickets to you in good time.  If you are entering the Navigation Rally, you will need Ordnance Survey map 150 (any edition),
but if you are entering the Scenic Tour, your Tour Handbook will contain easy-to-follow route instructions.  And don’t forget our Friday evening informal reception
at the Shutters Inn in Gotherington – just a couple of miles along the lane from Prescott.  All most welcome!

29th April 2015  We are saddened to have to report the loss of another member.  Peter Widdison, aged 80 was
a founding member of the Register with membership no. 21.  Here he is seen with his modified but much-traveled
and beloved OHC tourer.  He also owned a Family 8 saloon.  It was through Peter that we were able to track down the late Olive Willats'
fabric saloon which now lives at VMR HQ.  I have passed on our sympathies to his family via his daughter Diana.

27th April 2015 Yesterday's Drive-it Day brought out several Minors and M Types - including David Hinds and his M, seen here on a halt
in Dilwyn, just west of Leominster.  Photos of other cars out and about yesterday have been posted by members on our forum.

20th April 2015  A quick reminder that THIS SUNDAY 26th April is Drive-it Day!

12th April 2015 It is with great sadness that I have to report that our member and stalwart supporter Andrew Batey died yesterday aged 68 after a battle with cancer.
Andrew owned this 1934 Minor which he has brought to our Summer Rallies many times and this year he was planning to bring his 1939 Morris 8 series E tourer,
and we had jointly prepared a feature article on the car for the Prescott rally programme.
He was one of the first to enter this year and was greatly looking forward to the weekend again.
Andrew and I were both involved in the Falklands campaign in 1982 - I was in the RAF and he was in the Merchant Marine -
hence the Red Duster flying proudly from his Morris above.  Condolences on behalf of the club to his wife and family.

1940 Hawker Hurricane Mk. 1 R4118 arrives at RAF Fairford for RIAT 2014

11th April 2015  Tremendous news!  We have secured Hawker Hurricane R4118 for our Battle of Britain 75th Anniversary Victory Party in the evening of Pre-War Prescott!
  With 49 combat sorties, five enemy aircraft destroyed, and being itself shot down in the Battle of Britain, Hurricane R4118 is regarded as the most historic
British aircraft to survive in flying condition from the Second World War.  Even more significantly, this historic aircraft is currently for sale and 2015
may very well be the last time it is seen in the UK!  Owner Peter Vacher is an old friend of the Register and his wife owns the Hundred Pound Minor
on display at the National Motor Museum at Beaulieu.  The aircraft will be coming to us from RAF Fairford and giving a full aerobatic display!
Do NOT miss this tremendous party and very possibly one of the last chances to see this British icon in the skies over England!
The Hurricane will not be the only visiting aircraft this year.  During the lunch break, we also have a historic pre-war Tiger Moth displaying for us!
Full details and entry form may be found here.
Per ardua ad astra!

5th April 2015 Happy Easter!  Here's Janie and Phil Shepherd calling in to visit Clive Hamilton-Gould on their way south yesterday to catch the Isle of Wight Ferry.
See more images here of their trip in aid of Macmillan Cancer Support as their trip progresses.

Brian Maeers in his beloved 1929 tourer ‘Prudence’.  This photograph was taken shortly after Brian purchased the car in 1998.

3rd April 2015  Brian Maeers’ daughter Janie and her husband Phil are about to set off this weekend from Market Harborough in Leicestershire
to circumnavigate the Isle of Wight in order to raise funds for Macmillan Cancer Support, in return for the support they provided to the family during Brian’s illness.
Brian died of cancer 19th December 2013 after little warning.  Janie has launched a JustGiving fundraising website that can be found here
and we encourage everyone to consider supporting Janie by making a small donation to this extremely worthy cause.

29th March 2015 Sue and Richard Woodward on the VSCC Light Car Section's Welsh Trial earlier today.   A great action shot by Phil Jones.

28th March 2015  Up in Yorkshire, Tony Gamble has run out of space for all his Minors - again!  So he is putting his very interesting 1930 CMS replica project out for offers.
It is registered (V5C) VG 3260, with chassis no. M30850.  The chassis was laid down 25/11/30 as a saloon. T he car is fitted with a new Enrique Llinares ash frame
and is the standard model with standard Minor wings and running boards, making it a very stylish car indeed.  These standard models were offered by CMS with either
steel paneled or fabric covered body's, so the car could be correctly completed in either material. Further photos may be found on the Forum.
Contact the Register for Tony's contact details if interested.

1st February 2015 And still they turn up!  This 1934 Minor 2-seater, JA 4208, has just been discovered in a garage in Aldridge near Walsall in the West Midlands.
Dave Holland was clearing out his late grandfasther's house when he opened the garage to find a slumbering Minor.
His grandfather bought the car from a Mr. John Mackley in 1969 and ran it until 1975, which is the last sime it saw daylight - exactly forty years ago.
David is looking for a good home for the car.  More details can be obtained via the Register.

VMR Honorary Members past and present.  The late Robin Barraclough (left) and Peter Seymour

1st January 2015 HAPPY NEW YEAR to all our members and their families worldwide!

We are delighted to announce that we have a Register New Year Honours List this year!
As many of you will know, we sadly lost our Honorary Member Robin Barraclough in December.
But we are very pleased to announce that the Morris historian Peter Seymour, a longstanding friend of Robin
becomes an Honorary Member of the Vintage Minor Register today.

In 1959, Peter commenced a 5-year engineering apprenticeship with Morris Commercial Cars Ltd. in Birmingham.
By 1974, he had risen to work in the Service Marketing Department of Leyland Cars, Cowley, on special projects.
By 1976, he was a Distributor Development Executive with Leyland Vehicles Exports Ltd., resident in Singapore covering the Southern Hemisphere
and in 1981 became General Manager of Trans International, Singapore, the John Deere distributor for Singapore, Indonesia and Burma.
In 1983, he returned to the UK, becoming  Managing Director of Vicarys of Battle Ltd. (his family's retail motor business),
a position which he still holds.  The company was awarded a Morris franchise in 1924.
Over the years, Peter has provided us with a wealth of historical Morris material for our Magazine.
Welcome Peter!

29th December 2014 Down in Seaton, Devon, recent new member Alan Dolman is making superb progress with his 1930 saloon BF 6638 (M28190).
He acquired the kit of parts from Tony Gamble which included the chassis and a saloon body that had been restored by Steve Lewsley and is now assembling
the whole into what will be another vintage Minor that will be put back on the road before long.  Well done Alan!

28th December 2014 More holiday reading!  The sixth and final FBHVC Newsletter of 2014 is now available
to members in the Members' Area.  The Vintage Minor Register is a proud member of the FBHVC, and all
FBHVC Newsletters are archived on this website as a service to our members, part of whose subscription supports
the Federation and its vital work to ensure that we can continue to enjoy our cars on the open road.

26th December 2014 Magazine M 151 is at the printers and will be with every member shortly.
In the meantime, hereis a low resolution print proof version so you have something to read over the holidays!

8th December 2014  The Register magazine is now being printed in the UK, and our new printers - Stanley Hunt Printers Ltd. have produced
this outstanding 2015 calendar for us, depicting the very best professional images captured at Pre-War Prescott since the inauguration
of the event in 2011.  These calendars are now available for £15, including worldwide postage, with £1 from every sale being donated
by the printers to the RAF Charitable Trust.  To secure your copy, simply contact the Register by e-mail for ordering instructions.
Order now for delivery before Christmas!

6th December 2014  The December Newsletter was distributed electrically today.  A copy has been archived in the Members' Area of the website.

1st December 2014   Welcome to new member John Balson who lives in Maidenhead.  John has recently acquired this 1930 Minor saloon WD 1321 (M24783)
from David King who has now permanently emigrated to Canada.  David has completed much work on the car over the years, including a full engine overhaul,
so John hopes to have this fine vintage Minor back on the open road without undue delay.

14th October 2014  Mike Jones  sent in some pictures of his 1930 Semi-sports at the Kop Hill hillclimb in the Chilterns.
He is seen here in the paddock with Helen Barnard, the wife of the organizer.

14th August 2014  Getting back to normal (whatever that is!) after a super visit to England and of course our Summer Rally, Pre-War Prescott
and a hugely enjoyable VMR Lakeland Weekend.  Prescott was superb again this year.  In spite of the Biblical deluge in the morning, we had a record attendance
all round, including no less than twenty Minors.  Thanks to everyone who came along, and in particular all of you who helped marshal the day and man our tent,
sometimes in trying conditions! A full report will be included in the Autumn Magazine - M 151.

The partially-restored White Minor at VMR Prescott, 2005

10th July 2014  First off, sincere apologies for the lack of updates lately - planning and preparation for our trip to England and our Summer Rallies has swamped all else.
However, we do have some very significant late-breaking news regarding our Summer Rally at Prescott.  SU Carburetters will not only be bringing their
Skinner Triangle Special once again (the car based on the original 'Red Minor'), but also this year, the White Minor, campaigned so successfully in the thirties
by Barbara Skinner.  This car has been the subject of a protracted and meticulous restoration for many years by David Baldock.  Although not running quite yet,
the car now features its 'new' engine - an heroic recreation of the original blown SV Minor engine.  It is believed that this will be the first time the pair of historic Skinner Specials
have been united since 1937!  A number of Skinner family members will also be joining us on the day, including Annabelle Swain (Barbara Skinner's daughter),
Richard Skinner and other family members, as well as several people who have been closely associated with the White Minor over its long history,
and also by author Mike Harvey who is about to publish the authorized history of SU.

3rd June 2014  Further to the June Newsletter, the Lakeland Weekend has been RE-INSTATED.
Currently there are three MMM MG's entered plus a fifties Morris owned by Register member Mike Taylor.
If any other Register members would like to join us at Loweswater - in a Morris, M or modern, do get in touch.

3rd June 2014  Every year, the third Saturday of May is the day for the Meet The M.G in Japan.  This year, 17th May was the day for that gathering.
It was the 25th Meet The M.G. and MG 90 was also celabrated  -marking the 90th Anniversary of the first MG.
This year, the overseas director of the MGCC-UK, Mr.Paul Plummer joined this gathering.
The venue was the Shin-Nishinomiya Yacht Harbour as usual.  It was a beautiful day, and 33 MGs including three MMM gathered
from all over the country.  Kenji Matsuoka's M Type (left) joined this gathering sporting its new VMR badge.

12/5/14  Many years ago, the Register was in correspondence with certain individuals in Romania regarding a
unique 1928 Morris Minor that was built for the King Michael (Mihai) of Romania.  The car was a gift for him, when he was aged 9.
It left Cowley as a chassis (chassis MM1078, engine 990) and received its special coupe coachwork built in Austria.
The car is now to be shipped to the UK for restoration and the Register has been asked to provide guidance and assistance.
We look forwared very much to doing so.

27/4/14  The big news from the Drive-it Day weekend was that Ian Harris, owner of a rare Cunard-bodied Morris 10/6 Special
traveled to France to meet John Seddon and returned today as the proud new owner of John's Calshot-bodied Minor.
We are delighted to report that the car is safely back in the UK and taxed and insured.
And best wishes to John in his retirement, and who wishes to remain a member of the Register.

Seven VMR members attended the 2012 Morris Register of Australia's Rally.  John is third from the right in this photo.
John's 1929 Minor roadster, seen here, took home the Minor trophy.

23/4/14  As mentioned below, we lost John Wien-Smith, a founding member (number 10) of the Register recently.
In 2001, John received award from The Sporting Car Club of South Australia, for 50 years of membership.
He also found out that he had been made Life Member of the UK Morris Register after 25 years of membership.
His father was an early member of the Sporting Car Club of SA, and ran a single-cylinder 1904 De Dion Bouton.
John still owned that vehicle until his passing, and some time ago shipped it to
the UK to join in with The London to Brighton Run.
We send out sincere condolences to John's family.

22/4/14  Nigel Stroud's heroic restoration of 12/12 rep. KW 7956 (2M/927) is nearing completion near Chipping Norton and he hopes to have the car ready for our Summer Rally.
This is the ex-Tim Miller car, and was a wreck when Nigel acquired it.  The car joins Nigel's other slightly earlier M Type PO 1357 (2M/734).
Great job, Nigel!

From left to right are Gary Kingston, Ewan Lambess, Ted Pavitt, and Max and Jane Dawkins

22/4/14  The Australian Morris National Rally was held at Forbes NSW over the Easter long weekend.
92 Morris vehicles ranging from 1913 through to 70's examples turned up, including four pre-war Minors - three OHC and one SV.
Max and Jane Dawkins were there with their blue buckboard, Ted Pavitt with his white two-seater, Ewan Lambess with grey 2 seater and Gary Kingston with his green side valve tourer.
Saturday was an all day display day followed by a 140 km run on Sunday.  We're pleased to say that all Minors behaved themselves and completed the day with no issues.
It was sad to hear of the passing of VMR Member John Wein-Smith of South Australia who had a very original '29 Minor.
John was founding member number ten of the Register.
Thanks to Ewan Lambess for this report and photograph.

10/4/14  Today the April Newsletter was launched into the ether worldwide, and a copy has been archived in the Members' Area of this website.
Also archived today was the latest FBHVC Newsletter which can also be found in the Members' Area.

2/4/14  And hearty congratulations to Clive Hamilton-Gould and Sue Woodward who both thrashed the hoards of Austin Sevens with their Minors at the Light Car Welsh!
Clive in his 1930 Minor tourer DG 325 was the overall winner of the sporting trial, beating ALL the Austin 7's  - and all others including the GN's.
And Sue also achieved a 1st Class Award and the Winifred Boddy Trophy for being the top scoring lady driver.
This is another fantastic Minor triumph that shows just what our cars -  and our members - are capable of!
(Photo - David Hinds)

29/3/14  The VSCC Light Car Section is gathering in Wales for their traditional Welsh Weekend this weekend.  Here are Sue and Richard Woodward,
recently returned to the UK from overseas RAF postings enjoying themsleves in the Welsh countryside once again.
Today's roue took the light car crews on a punishing 130 mile route as taken by the 1924 Light Car trial 90 years ago.
Clive Hamilton-Gould is also entering his 1930 Minor tourer this weekend, and also Alan Webber with his M Type.
An excellent day out was had by all in lovely springtime sunshine - at last!
(Photo - David Hinds)

ANO 17 and some boating enthusiasts
 

                                              25/2/14  And today Philip Young also joins us.  Philip has just acquired the rare 1933 tourer ANO 17 (SV30864) which has been a regular attendee of our Summer Rallies with Clive Holland.
                                              If you recall, this car is identical to that driven by Gilg and Kay from Liverpool to Cape Town in 1933 and we were delighted to show the car to the Gilg family at Prescott
                                  in 2012 and 2013.  It is particularly apposite that Philip has acquired the car as he runs the Endurance Rally Association and recently broke the record for the drive from Cape Town to London
                                  his Fiat Panda (with the same size engine as the Minor).  He was so inspired by the story of the Gilg and Kay Expedition detailed by the Register that he went straight out and bought the Minor!
                                                           We look forward to seeing ANO 17 once again at Prescott in July with its new owner.  And of course the Gilgs will be there to meet him.

Tony Gaston's 1934 Minor has spent most of the time since 1962 laid up, but is about to receive a new lease of life

25/2/14  We are delighted to welcome Tony Gaston who joins us with his 1934 Minor saloon BPB 177 (SV35916).
                                                          This car had been off the road since 1962 when it was purchased by Tony's father-in-law in 1974, partially rebuilt and painted maroon.
                                       It attended the Yeovil Festival of Transport in 1982, '83 and '84 when half shaft broke.  It was repaired but was then laid up until
Tony's father-in-law died recently and BPB 177 was passed on to Tony.

4/2/14  The 2014 vintage motoring season kicked off last Saturday with the VSCC's Driving Tests at Brooklands.
Three VMR members took part - Clive Hamilton-Gould in his 1930 Minor tourer, and John Haine and Nigel Stroud in their M Types.
Here we see John's 1932 M Type with Nigel's 1929 model behind.  (Photo - Phil Jones)

19/12/13  It is with deep sadness that we must report that Brian Maeers passed away last night.
Brian was diagnosed with cancer shortly after our rally at Manor Farm in July.
We have lost a towering character and great proponent of the Morris Minor.
To Heidi, his children, grandchildren and all the family we send our sincere sympathies.

9/12/13  Our Winter Magazine is being packed and is about to ship worldwide.  Your copy should be with you in time for a good Christmas read!
The cover depicts ‘The Last Collection Before Christmas’, a delightful seasonal rendition by Kevin Walsh.
Inside there are all the usual articles, plus a major feature on the completion of the Minor Genome which
analyses the entire Minor production from 1928 to 1934.  There is also a fascinating article written by Cameron Gilg for the
Vacuum Oil Company of South Africa’s house magazine ‘The Gargoyle’, recounting his Expedition from Liverpool to Cape Town in 1933.
As a special Christmas treat for everyone - members or not, here is the print proof copy of the Magazine.
If you are not yet a member of the Vintage Minor Register, but would like to join us and receive our Magazine quarterly,
 as well as our monthly Newsletters and other Register services, simply complete and return the 2014 Membership Form.

8/12/13  Rachel Bolton-King in her late steel paneled M Type APB 298 at the VSCC's Winter Driving Tests at
St. George's Barracks, Bicester, Oxfordshire yesterday.  For some reason this car wasn't registered until 3rd January 1933,
resulting in it being given the three letter, three digit number.
(Photo Phil Jones)

6/12/13  And still they keep turning up!  This highly original 1931 MG D Type has just surfaced in India.  With chassis number D0401, this car is owned by
Venkatram Reddy in Hyderabad.  The car has been in the family for some thirty years and is to be restored.  Apart from the dashboard and instruments,
the car is in amazingly original condition.  Thanks to Ted Hack of the MG D Group for this story.

28/11/13  Here's wishing our far-flung membership a Happy Thanksgiving from VMR HQ!
(Martin Redmond's Semi-sports special on the VSCC John Harris Trial - photo Phil Jones)

22/11/13  We extend a warm welcome to Peter Oliver who owns this 1933 SV Minor.  Fitted with a post-war Morris Minor engine which required
the radiator to be pushed forward and a number of other bodywork modifications, there is no hiding the Jensen origins of the body.
Whether this was originally a Jensen Special or a McEvoy Special is currently under detailed investigation.
Either way, this is a very rare Minor indeed.  Much more can be read about this car on our Forum.

21 11/13  Today we welcome Mick Roberts who owns this extremely nice 1932 Minor 2-seater.
Here we see him winning the best Minor award at the Morris Register's Thoresby Hall Rally earlier this year.
Congratulations Mick!

Spectacular and secret Loweswater in the far corner of the Lake District.

16/11/13  Today we launch the 2014 VMR Lakeland Weekend, to take place over the weekend of 26th/27th July next year.
We will be spending a very relaxed and enjoyable few days based at the Grange Country House, Loweswater, in the far north-west of the Lakes,
far from the madding crowds of Windermere and Ambleside.  Preliminary details may be found here.

16/11/13  In 1976, television producer Barry Cockroft made a documentary about the Gilg and Kay Liverpool to Cape Town expedition for Yorkshire TV.
During the making of the documentary, Gilg and Kay were reunited for the first time since 1933.
The programme shows the pair meeting at Gilg's country home and motoring in this 1933 Minor tourer - an identical model to that used
in the expedition.  It also includes many fascinating 16 mm cine film clips from the expedition.
The programme, titled 'Turn Left - the Riffs have Risen', was shown twice on ITV as part of the 'Once in a Lifetime' series.
We showed the programme at our Summer Rally this year in the Clubhouse at Prescott where it captivated the audience.
We are delighted to announce that the Register can now offer DVD copies of this historic documentary
for £20 including worldwide postage.  Please contact the Register if you would like a copy.

16/11/13  Up in Southport, Martyn Griffiths has this very tidy 1932 saloon (SV14602) for sale.
It's in nice original condition, lots of patina and the interior is mainly original.  The engine was rebuilt in the winter of 2011.
It has a 4 speed box, and Martyn is asking £4,500 for the car which makes it very good value.
Contact Martyn for more details.

15/11/13  Today we extend a warm welcome to Kenny Moffat of Motherwell, Scotland who collected JJ 9069 today.
JJ 9069 (SV26797) is a very smart 1933 saloon that was auctioned by Bonhams back in 2010, but has recently been offered for sale
through Bonhams again, due to the passing of the elderly owner.  Welcome to the Register, Kenny!

14/11/13  Congratulations to Derek Chatto on the acquisition of his 1931 M Type, MG 1930 (2/M2620).
Derek has a couple of year's work ahead of him, but intends using the car for trials.  This M was originally registered JV 291.

12/11/13  Today we extend a warm welcome to Eddie Torr of Rotherham, South Yorkshire who joins us
with his 1932 Minor saloon JK 2439 (SV18796).  Eddie recently acquired this car and is currently restoring it apace.
He reports that someone has previously painted it with a yard brush!  It is being repainted black and maroon.
Welcome, Eddie!

12/11/13  The ex-Hamish Orr Ewing 1932 LWB OHC Family Eight is up for sale - in Japan.
Hamish carried out a sympathetic but expensive restoration of this very original car back in 2005 including a new Phoenix crank and rods before offering the car for sale.
In M 119, Hamish reoported, "It now goes quite well - quicker than an unmodified Minor, but not of course compared to a Minor with similar mods.
Where would we be without Mike Dowley?!  All this has cost lot of money and is quite uneconomic, but if one is going to make economic judgments one wouldn’t own
this sort of thing to start with.  I have a great affection for these cars because, when in the Army in 1946, I bought one for £30 to visit my then girl friend.
It was a completely dependable little car.  These cars were far superior to the Austin 7 on which, like so many of my generation, I learned to drive,
in my case around the roads on our property in Perthshire, at the age of 12.  The Austin’s clutch and brakes were atrocious and the engine wouldn't pull the skin of a rice pudding!"
Since then Hamish, a past Chairman of Jaguar Cars, has campaigned his Derby Bentley at VMR Summer Rallies, including Pre-War Prescott this year.
Hamish sold the car in 2005, after which it was sold on to the current owner in Japan.
Find the full details of the Family Eight here - if you can read Japanese!

5/11/13  Ian Harris (seen here on a VMR Summer Rally in his 10/6 Cunard Special) lives in Hitchin, Hertfordshire
has supplied our spares needs for many years.  His latest catalogue of Minor/M Type spares may be downloaded here.

4/11/13  A very significant opportunity has arisen to acquire an outstanding vintage Minor.
Albert Spence, founder member no. 20 of the VMR lives up on Orkney and is reluctantly selling his 1929 Minor fabric saloon MM 9063 (M11282).
Albert has owned and driven this car since 1986 and it comes with much history.  The car has had a total body off restoration and is very sound.
The engine has recently been rebuilt by Sports and Vintage Motors and is about run in by now.
Reason for Sale - due to his age Albert is down-sizing his collection to his 1932 M Type MG and 1926 Cowley Tourer.
Interested parties should call Albert on 01856/771295 without delay.

1/11/13  The November Newsletter was circulated by e-mail today.  A copy may be found in the Members' Area.

21/10/13  Little and large.  Meanwhile, a little further north in the quiet Northamptonshire lanes, new member Martin and Jean Gregory exercised their 1930 saloon
and were joined by a friend with his 1927 Oxford tourer.  This was the first real outing that Martin had given the car - 23 miles without incident.
First stop was a wonderful church in Whiston (built in 1534 and hardly changed since) and then off to Castle Ashby for coffee.  Then a stop for photos on
Yardley Chase with Castle Ashby as the backdrop on our way to the Rose and Crown at Yardley Hastings for lunch.  The party then returned to
Castle Ashby to see the gardens before driving home for tea.

21/10/13  Glass half full?  VMR members Pat Guthrie-Jones (left) and Peter Hills with his Minor tourer at the Phoenix yesterday.
Pat is a local man, but Peter drove down from Putney for the meet.  Peter's 'Out of Africa' car is named Chiriappala
(which is Bemba for the one with no hair, i.e. a tourer!).  A milestone was recorded, DS9936 passing the 5,000 mile mark since restoration,
which, Peter says, may not seem much since 1992, but the car was off the road for a few years with a damaged diff.
and then spent the last nine years garaged while Peter was in India.

The spectacular San Juan islands from Orcas Island, one of the stops on our Two Hemispheres Rally in the Pacific Northwest in August 2015.

3/10/13  The second in our monthly Two Hemispheres planning Newsletters was circulated today and a copy may be found in the Members' Area.
(The October VMR Newsletter has also been uploaded to the Members' Area this afternoon.)

17/9/13  We are delighted to welcome Martin Gregory to VMR membership.  Martin has acquired the ex-James Wheeler, ex-Tim Brown and Elina Helenius
1930 Minor coachbuilt saloon UF 7090 (M31579).  Martin lives in Weston Favell, Northampton.  Many moons ago, Martin onwed a very early Hundred Pound
Minor 2-seater with chassis number SV306, which is, apparently, still extant on a SORN.  More about this car in M 147.
Welcome, Martin!

5/9/13  The date for our autumn pub meet at The Phoenix, Hartley Wintney, Hampsire will be Sunday 20th October - the week before the clocks go back.
Please make a note of the date.  Of late, turnout at our spring and autumn pub meets has been quite disappointing, so please make a real effort to come along
in your Minor, M or modern if you are within striking distance.  This is the pub where the Vintage Sports-Car Club was founded in 1934, and they have been meeting there ever since.

5/9/13  Today two Newsletters were circulated to members by e-mail - the September VMR Newsletter and the first of what will become monthly Newsletters
providing news, information and updates as the planning for our 2015 Two Hemispheres Rally progresses.
Both Newsletters may be found in the Members' Area of the website.

8/8/13  The latest FBHVC Newsletter was received this morning and has been uploaded to the Members' Area of the website.

Washington State car ferries connect Seattle and the Puget Sound with the San Juan Islands and Vancouver Island

1/8/13 The Vintage Minor Register is extremely excited to announce The Two Hemispheres Rally, 2015.

We are planning a rally right here at VMR HQ in Seattle!  One of the unfortunate aspects of the Register is that we have two main communities of members –
one in the UK and Europe, and the other in Australia and New Zealand.  Apart from one or two visitors, it has never been possible to truly bring
our antipodean members into the mainstream of our events.

Until now.

This will be the 2015 VMR Two Hemispheres Rally.  Here’s the basic plan.  It is possible to fit six of our cars into a 40’ container – by double-decking the container,
thereby dramatically reducing shipping costs.  We therefore plan to ship at least one container from England and at least another from Australia/New Zealand
in order to gather a dozen cars or more here in the Pacific Northwest for at least two weeks of concentrated rallying and touring, with the possibility of extending
over four weeks for those who wish to stay longer.  We will be visiting and touring the incomparable San Juan Islands where we will take a whale watching trip
to meet the resident Orca pods, crossing Stevens Pass in the dramatic Cascade Mountains to visit the German town of Leavenworth and the beautiful Lake Chelan.
We will cross Puget Sound to visit the Olympic Peninsula and mountains, we will visit Paradise, high on Mount Rainier, to see the incredible alpine flowers among the glaciers
and we may also get up into British Columbia and Vancouver Island.  And much, much more in this most spectacularly scenic corner of North America.

VMR HQ will host numerous social events during the rally and full maintenance facilities will be available onsite – as will a couple of spare Minors and several moderns
for those not able to ship theirs (we would welcome any members – with or without their cars).  The Register will shortly be initiating a regular Two Hemispheres Newsletter
to interested parties, so if you would like to be included in the circulation list (and with absolutely no obligation!), please simply e-mail the Register.
Detailed planning can then get under way, but in the meantime, we can promise that this will be the rally of a lifetime for those able to make it.
And of course we will welcome members from across the US, Canada and elsewhere, and provide all possible logistics support where required.
Much more news as plans develop.

1/8/13  The August Newsletter was distributed electrically last night and can now also be found in the Members' Area of the website.

31/7/13  After eight years of research at Gaydon, the original Morris Minor production records have been completely computerized by the Register.
The OHC and SV Minor 'Genomes' are finally complete and available for study in the Member's Area of the website.  They record chassis build data
for OHC chassis MM101 to M39199 and SV Minor chassis SV101 to SV47332.

28/7/13  Just back from a fabulous two weekends VMR rallying in the UK.  The Midland Weekend at Brian and Heidi Maeer's Manor Farm was superb,
as was Pre-War Prescott and our Summer Rally.  Huge thanks to everyone who attended - particularly those who marshaled, of course.  Special thanks go to Brian Maeers
for hosting the superb Midland Weekend and for loaning Jayne and I one of his tourers for the weekend, so that we could take part.  Both weekends enjoyed
the superb weather of this record-breaking July.  Around 160 Edwardian, vintage and pre-war cars gathered for Pre-War Prescott and there were 495 climbs
of this historic hill during the day.  Full reports will be included in the Autumn Magazine, M 147.  Peter McFadyen's images of the Prescott weekend may be found here.
Now the planning gets into top gear for 2014!

6/7/13  We're all set for the Midland Weekend next weekend and our Summer Rally including Pre-War Prescott the following weekend.
Jayne and I fly to England (via Frankfurt!) next Thursday and will be in the Cock Inn, Peatling Magna in the evening after driving down from Manchester airport.
So what on earth has the above photo to do with these weekends?  Absolutely nothing, except this will be the venue for a VERY special VMR gathering in 2015.
Much more after we get back from England.

6/6/13  Nimrod - the Mighty Hunter!  This is the first production Nimrod, XV226, c/n 8001 which is preserved at the Cold War Jet Collection, Bruntingthorpe.
We'll be visiting the Collection during our Midland Weekend in July.  XV226 is special to me as it was one of my aircraft when I was an Engineering Officer on 42 Sqn.,
RAF St. Mawgan during the late seventies/early eighties.  I'm planning to give rallyists an informative tour of the aircraft - not to be missed!  We will also be able to get up close
and personal with the other aircraft in the Collection, including a Victor, Hunter, Canberra, Comet, 2 off Lightnings , Starfighter, Mystere, Sea Vixen,
4 off Buccaneers, 4 off Jet Provosts, Super Guppy, Iskra and a Jaguar.  We will also be able to park our cars close to the aircraft for photos.
If you have not yet entered, but would like to do so, full details of the weekend and an Entry Form may be found here.

30/5/13  The May Newsletter was distributed by e-mail to all members this morning (just in time!) and has been archived in the Members' Area.
If you are a member and did not receive the Newsletter, please let me know.

10/5/13  And also welcome to Andy Brown who joins us with his equally smart and original 1934 saloon, recently acquired from Register member Richard Mace.

10/5/13  Welcome to new member Paul Critchley who owns this very smart and original 1932 saloon which he recently purchased.
The above photo was taken at Brooklands during their annual Austin/Morris Day in March.

VMR member Michael Banfield receiving the Transport Trust's Lifetime Achievement Award from Prince Michael of Kent in July 2007

3/5/13  Yesterday I learned of the sad passing of one of our members - Michael Banfield of Staplehurst, Kent.
Michael joined our Register just last year when he acquired the highly original Minor 5 cwt. Van PJ 5453 from Steve Johnstone.
We send our sincere condolences to his family.  Michael's obituary may be found here.

3/5/13  We are delighted to announce that the Vintage Minor Register has been accepted as a member of the Federation of British Historic Vehicle Clubs.
The FBHVC exists to uphold the vital freedom we enjoy to drive our historic cars on the open road.  It does this by representing our interests to politicians,
government officials and legislators, both in the UK and (through the Federation Internationale des Vehicules Anciens) in Europe.
 There are over 500 subscriber organisations representing a total membership of over 250,000 in addition to individual and trade supporters.
Membership of the Federation further raises the standing of our Register and will bring many important benefits to our members in the future.

2/5/13  Those of you who are following the Gilg Expedition diary (link above) will notice that tomorrow, the diary will reach its one hundredth page.
The Gilg's diary of the trip is developing, day by day, into a fascinating insight into life in the thirties in the Dark Continent - a look back to another age.
Eighty years ago today, Gilg and Kay had reached Eldoret in Kenya on their way to Cape Town.  Here they met up with this 1932 model Minor tourer.
Notice the handy bathing facilities at their hotel!

30/4/13  We are very excited to announce that our 2013 Summer Rally Navigation Tour and parallel Scenic Tour (Sunday 21st July)
will conclude at the spectacular Stanway House, home of Lord Wemyss.  Rallyists from last year will undoubtedly remember the incredible 300 ft gravity fountain,
and His Lordship has very generously offered to run it again - twice - for us this year at the conclusion of the day.  NOT to be missed!
Entry to both events is open to all pre-war cars, and an entry form may be downloaded here.

30/4/13  This the perfect time to pick up a vintage Minor for the coming motoring season.  Right now, there is a mouthwatering collection of
vintage Minors on the market - including four OHC saloons (two very much on the button and two projects, including the above car
currently being offered by Tony Gamble), three Semi-sports (one in concours condition and two projects), a concours Cunard Calshott, a Maddox and a McEvoy.
Take your pick!  These can all be found on our Marketplace page.  If anyone needs any further information on any of these cars,
please contact the Register - we'd be delighted to help.
And incidentally, the CMS (see 26/4/13 below) was successfully auctioned in Ireland yesterday for 7,000 Euros.  A bargain for someone!

27/4/13  (In New Zealand!)  Today marks the 80th Birthday of our Founder and Honorary Member Jack Blyth.  A resident of New Zealand, Jack
has been a Minor stalwart for decades.  He flew from New Zealand to be at our inaugural Summer Rally in 2001, and famously bought a suitcase of spares for members!
Ten years ago, to mark his 70th Birthday (and the 75th Anniversary of the Morris Minor), Jack took his fabric saloon on a 1,400 mile circumnavigation
of New Zealand's South Island.  In the summer of 2005, we sent our son William to New Zealand and Austraila for his 18th Birthday.
William stayed with Jack who took him all over South Island and gave him a very special holiday, for which William will always be very grateful.

To mark Jack's 80th Birthday, here are some of the articles that he has provided for the Register's Magazine over the years.

Happy 80th Jack!

M103 - Jack Blyth's Fabric Saloon
M 108 - Jack Blyth planning his South Island Circumnavigation
M 111 - More Planning
M 112 - Outside front cover
M 112 - Jack Blyth's South Island Tour
M 115 - Jack Blyth's West Coast Tour
M 116 - Outside front cover

26/4/13  The ex-George Bryne, ex-Tony Foot 1930 CMS Special (M20036) is to be acutioned in Ireland by Mealy's next Monday 29th April.
George acquired this car in a poor state in December 1992 from D Page who had owned it since 1973.  He then undertook a complete restoration.
The rear of the car is non-standard, but nevertheless, this is a rare opportunity to pick up a genuine vintage Minor special.
Auction details may be found here.

26/4/13  The April Newsletter was lauched into the ether today and has also been uploaded to the Members' Area of the website.

Click here to return to the top of the page

The Vintage Minor Register - it's about time