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Why I Love My Minor

Lil Ryder

AdminMike -

Lil Ryder

Why do I love my Morris Minor? Well, which one? Apparently, you aren’t allowed to just own one!

It’s a tricky question, but I think the short answer is because I love my husband! Whilst I'm sure I had seen them around, I was introduced to Minors when I first met Chris in 2008, and even then, it was his Sister's car (Phoebe ​- 1957 2 Door) he was driving! I was thrown into the world of Morris Minors with Chris, as the whole family owned them, including a couple of shells hiding under sheets. They have always attended their local branch meetings, and rallies, including the annual MMOC MOT trip overseas.

Chris bought his first Minor (Monty - 1967 2 Door) when he was 16 and immediately took it off the road to do a full restoration. Once he passed his driving test, Chris decided to buy a 'road ready' Minor (Bluey​ - 1967 4 Door) that he could use whilst getting Monty on the road. Bluey was not nearly as road worthy as she appeared and was a very jealous car, throwing a tantrum whenever Chris did any work on Monty! Bluey was used daily as a commuter car taking Chris to Coventry for University. In 2012, as Web Master for Birmingham MMOC, Chris was asked to advertise a vehicle for sale, but that they were unable to write a good description, or take detailed photos. Being local, Chris offered to assess the car himself, to write an advert and take suitable photos, but he decided it was a good car for us to buy. So we decided that I would buy it as my first Minor (Borris ​- 1958 2 Door), and we would do the work together, starting my mechanical education! I loved this car, he was mine. Monty was still off the road and Bluey was Chris's pride and joy; she was well known and the envy of many young members. Chris was very patient with me and my dyslexic brain and explained the mechanics over and over until I understood him and I wasn’t scared to touch Borris like I was Bluey.

We stuck with these three for a while, working to improve Borris, general maintenance on Bluey and an attempt to restore Monty. We moved house twice during this time and bought our own place (with driveway and a wooden, double garage!) With general new home DIY and building a new, solid, garage, we decided to sell Borris on as we were unable to dedicate the time, space and money to his upkeep and slow re-build. Plus we weren't using him much as neither of us were using a car for work! Borris has changed hands a couple of times since we sold him, but he's stayed local, and has benefited from a full restoration and is getting the love and attention he deserves!

So at this point we are down to two with one still being a shell under a sheet. Bluey serves us well over the years, taking us away on holidays and car shows all over the country. Then in February 2017, Bluey is the chosen vehicle to bring our first born (Ted) home from the hospital. At the same time, family friend and long serving member of MMOC, Martin Fox, passed away suddenly and later in the year the family decided to sell his modified Minor (Ruby - 1957 Traveller) which had been a daily driver. We didn't have all of the funds to purchase the car, but Ted did and so we decided to borrow it to purchase the Traveller as a 'family' classic and Ted’s first car! As the car had been off the road for a few months, it needed a bit of work and we decided to fit new seat belts all round to enable us to go out as a family. Ruby does need some long-term work doing, but she is road worthy and joins us at car rallies; a traveller boot makes for a great space for children to enjoy a picnic out of the wind and rain.

So we were up to three classics, and with a growing family (and a 2 car garage!), Chris made the hard decision to sell Monty as a project, along with all of the parts that Chris had accumulated over the years. Again, we know the new owners and keep up to date with the work being done. Monty was supposed to be Chris’s dream car; he had spent many car shows searching through the autojumble looking for the right parts and pondering over the colour scheme.

In March 2019, Bluey, again, had the important job of bringing our daughter (Rosie) home from the hospital.

Bluey has very much been neglected over recent years with family and house work being put first. Chris has also been enjoying the chance to enjoy a fun and practical modern car, as well as testing a variety of interesting cars from work.

So, which of these is my favourite Morris Minor and why do I love them? Monty was supposed to be Chris's car of dreams. Borris was mine, and I was looking forward to rebuilding and making him my own (with cushions and artificial flowers!). Ruby is our 'family' car with space to escape the rain on days out. But Bluey has to be my favourite and most loved car. She is a founding member of this family. Until recently, she has been the car of choice for holidays and days out, and even took us on our honeymoon in 2014 – we were still finding confetti for years after. She frequently takes us overseas on the annual MOT trip and she safely carried both babies home from the hospital.

Had it not been for Chris, I would not have got into Morris Minors, and so wouldn’t have been asked to write about why I love them. Hence the short answer being, because I love Chris. What I haven’t covered yet, are the other reasons for loving Morris Minors. Our first holiday together when I noticed an issue before Chris and then managed to fix it by hitting the fan with the biggest spanner in the tool box. A camping holiday with my family in Yorkshire, where Bluey broke down and the whole family spent two hours waiting for the breakdown truck in the entrance of a refuse tip; we found a toilet and were able to play ball games and eat our picnic lunch. Chris being asked to be best man for some MMOC friends, who have since become our best friends and God Parents for each other’s children. We have friends around the country and everywhere is on the way to Peterborough! To me, it is not about the car, but what the car represents. The laughter, the tears and the sharing of good news. I have so many memories tied up in that one car.

 I hope that one day, Bluey will get some well-deserved attention and maybe even a respray, and that we will be spending many summers darting all over visiting friends and attending car rallies. For now, Chris and Bluey enjoy fetching Ted from nursery when requested, and the odd ‘essential’ trip out on a sunny weekend.