The Big End - The Current Account

In the second world war a chap called Sir Alec Issigonis created the Mosquito, which in 1947 was renamed the Morris Minor. Who could have known then how great an achievement in design and practicability it was, and how popular it would be over the years. It was also at that time a good contender for that others peoples carriage, the VW Beetle.

What has happened to it since? You may well say quite a lot, on the other hand you may say what a pity. It did not achieve the continued status as does the VW today.

In a nutshell, incompetence by the so-called managers and purse holders who controlled its destiny. Poor organization, mismanagement and blinkered thinking are all culpable aspects when considering the case history.

I hear the cry time and time again - I wish they had continued to build this wonderful little car. Pig headedness comes to mind when you hear about the poor decisions that were made above better recommendations that would have prevented its demise, eventually leading to the plug being pulled on our little beauty.

Why oh why did they stop production of a very popular vehicle in favour of launching an inferior vehicle, the Morris Marina. I can't think of a more diabolical move, and although the Marina at the time was more modern in looks and had better mechanicals, it did not handle in anyway as good as the Morris Minor. This was very evident in off road and tarmac competitions, when radical modifications had to be carried out on the back and front suspension arrangements, this to get it to handle in any way competitively. I have some very good accounts on this subject.

Here is a good example why our great car industry slipped down the slope to the virtual wipe out we see today. Reflecting on this point, look where the Mini, the other vehicle from the great stable has gone, into the control of Germany's BMW Corporation.

I am loyal to this country and have long waved our Union Flag. I do not consider that the new Mini is anything other than a pinched design built by a very predatory concern. What is next is up their sleeve?

Could the Morris have continued in development and at the same time kept its unique charm? It certainly could have done, just look at where the Beetle has gone. What we may now have seen today would perhaps have been a very important flag flyer for Britain, and one that may have kept the vehicle all British and just kept our car industry alive.

Today I am afraid we see a continued depletion of the stock of Morris Minors. This is because of several factors which govern its survival. The cost of reconditioning any poor example prohibits many willing fans, and only the really dedicated who have enough disposable funds can keep this cause alive. These people are getting fewer and fewer, especially when you compare the "either or" situations, e.g. buying a modern vehicle for say £10,000 with three years parts, labour and servicing, plus other attractive extras. This against the long haul of restoration costing well in excess of £10,000, and to cap this, when the vehicle is finished, it is only worth a fraction of the money you've spent. There are of course other aspects in this area of thought which can work in favour of the Morris, but in general for new blood moving in it is a personal balanced decision, and one which in general favours not spending the money on the Morris. So you see we are in a dilemma. We still have many good Morris Minors around and I dare say they will be still here well into the new century That, providing legislation does not prohibit their use. On this point, I do hope that government does not interfere with our Classic Car Movement, the only large entity left in the British Car Industry. If they do I can see great harm caused. We will be the poorer for the loss of something truly British.

© Chis Street, November 2000