Tracing the history of my Austin Minor

[don58van]

I have been trying, without much success, to trace the history of my 1968 Austin Minor Van. It is probably the only one in Australia. As far as I have been able to establish, it was first registered in Australia (the Australian Capital Territory) in 1974.

The DVLA has advised that they can't help 1) because I don't know the UK registration number and 2) because it was probably last registered in the UK before the DVLA was established.

I have been able to discover, with the help of the British Motor Industry Heritage Trust, that the van was delivered to Murray and Charleton Limited, at Stockton-on-Tees.

Does anyone know whether that company or any descendant of that company still exists? Was it an Austin dealership?

Cheers
Don

[LouiseM]

Hi Don,

Murray & Charleton were a main Austin dealership. See article here by someone who used to work there: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/motoring/475 ... -sell.html

There's also a mention of the company on an Australian Mini forum discussing a possible British Embassy car that was shipped to Australia by the company:

http://www.ausmini.com/forums/viewtopic ... b7c2ef27da

It's possible that your van was never registered in the UK before export.

The dealership is long gone and the Hill Street Shopping Centre has been built on the site.

[don58van]

Thanks again Louise.

You have been so helpful in my quest to learn about my Austin Van.

I did search the web, but missed the ausmini posting.

I have been very curious to understand why the van was brought here. Morris Minor vans would have been easy enough to find here in the 70's. There were even a few with the later running gear specification about (they were introduced just before production ceased here in 1962). Further, Production of Morris Minor vans continued just across the ditch in New Zealand until 1974 (with the later running gear specification).

So why then would someone go to the trouble and expense of bringing one from the UK?

Unfortunately, the elderly chap I bought it from had no knowledge of its history. I do know the name of the chap who owned it when it lived in the Australian Capital Territory in the 80's (he was a MM club member) but I can't find him.

Thanks again Louise

Don

[FrankM83]

maybe the owner who had it in the UK moved to Austrailia and brought the van over with him, or else like MAlta new vans where expensive and they used to bring them over from the UK

[RussLCV]

hello again

Unless you know the UK reg you may never know. best of luck Don keep updated on any progress

H