Morris Minor Owners Club – 1952 Morris Minor

Launched in 1948 and designed by Alec Issigonis, the Minor was the first British car to achieve one million sales. Hugely popular then and now, this split-screen four-door saloon belongs to the Morris Minor Owners Club.

“It was part of the British Motor Industry Heritage Trust collection and was gifted to the Club in 1997” explained a Club member. Stored in Essex until 2001 and then moved to Lincolnshire, it has been there ever since.

This particular Minor really has lived in a barn, somewhere it has shared with a barn owl which explains the state of the paintwork. Looks aside, it does roll after a little persuasion but is clearly in need of a full restoration. The Club plans to undertake the work and get this delightful classic back on the road and is in the process of considering the next step.

They go on to confirm that the mileage of 73,476 has been unchanged for the last 25 years since it came into MMOC custody. And that’s probably the same mileage it has had for at least the 40 years since it was donated to the Heritage Trust when it was still at Syon Park before the Museum at Gaydon was built.  

Unfortunately, there are no details of previous ownership prior to being donated to the Trust so this particular Minor’s story remains something of a mystery. Perhaps that will be solved in the future, but for now it’s a wonderful British classic to have at this year’s show and we can’t wait to see it after the restoration.

If any visitors know more about the history of this car, then the Club would love to hear from you.