A Minor Revelation (Pt3)
Posted: Fri Jul 12, 2013 12:19 am
So why didn't I swap the Minor Convertible for a Landrover?
Sundays are normally one of the busiest days for my family taxi undertaking. With rugby in the winter, cricket in the summer and guitar lessons all year round, “the day of rest” rarely lives up to its name. However with an odd day off, and wanting to do something a bit different, the Family Milton headed off to the Classic Car Show held in Moffat in Southern Scotland.
Organised by Rootes enthusiasts, it doesn’t just feature Hunters, Minxes and Imps. Everything was there from exotic looking Lotus Espirits and a fantastic DB4, through to Ford Escorts and of course Morris Minors. The Scottish Branch of the MMOC had a spot not too far from the entrance with a nice collection of Travellers, saloons and a magnificently eccentric bright yellow pick up.
As I wandered about in the light rain, I was looking at the vehicles on show and mulling over the upcoming departure of the Minor and arrival of the Landrover. Then, unbidden, I had a revelation whilst looking at, of all things, a brown Datsun Sunny. Pleasing on the eye, with a fine owners' club, a plentiful supply of spares, potential for upgrading, that lovely smell and wonderful exhaust noise when you change gear, I realised that the Minor is the best classic for mechanical novices like me. People who, despite our lack of know how, simply love the style, simplicity and history of older cars, and who don't think that nostalgia is always a bad thing. I could see that the Morris Minor encapsulated all this and more.
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In addition, I already had a pretty decent Minor sitting in the garage, just needing a bit of TLC, and use!! I could not think why I wanted to swap all this for something that would not even fit in my garage. In an instant it was obvious what I had to do.
So, 11 days later, I have re-joined the MMOC, started posting on this message board, had some great advice in pms generated by the posts, started the jobs to spruce up the old girl again and cancelled the exchange. I'll be attending a couple of events this summer, and am now motoring about the local area, waving to all and sundry. I couldn't be having more fun, and won't be leaving "Leftie" to moulder in the garage any more. After all as Tennyson once wrote.................................
"How dull it is to pause, to make an end,
To rust unburnish'd, not to shine in use!"
I think I'll stick those lines above my desk. Just to keep me right!!
Sundays are normally one of the busiest days for my family taxi undertaking. With rugby in the winter, cricket in the summer and guitar lessons all year round, “the day of rest” rarely lives up to its name. However with an odd day off, and wanting to do something a bit different, the Family Milton headed off to the Classic Car Show held in Moffat in Southern Scotland.
Organised by Rootes enthusiasts, it doesn’t just feature Hunters, Minxes and Imps. Everything was there from exotic looking Lotus Espirits and a fantastic DB4, through to Ford Escorts and of course Morris Minors. The Scottish Branch of the MMOC had a spot not too far from the entrance with a nice collection of Travellers, saloons and a magnificently eccentric bright yellow pick up.
As I wandered about in the light rain, I was looking at the vehicles on show and mulling over the upcoming departure of the Minor and arrival of the Landrover. Then, unbidden, I had a revelation whilst looking at, of all things, a brown Datsun Sunny. Pleasing on the eye, with a fine owners' club, a plentiful supply of spares, potential for upgrading, that lovely smell and wonderful exhaust noise when you change gear, I realised that the Minor is the best classic for mechanical novices like me. People who, despite our lack of know how, simply love the style, simplicity and history of older cars, and who don't think that nostalgia is always a bad thing. I could see that the Morris Minor encapsulated all this and more.
[frame]
In addition, I already had a pretty decent Minor sitting in the garage, just needing a bit of TLC, and use!! I could not think why I wanted to swap all this for something that would not even fit in my garage. In an instant it was obvious what I had to do.
So, 11 days later, I have re-joined the MMOC, started posting on this message board, had some great advice in pms generated by the posts, started the jobs to spruce up the old girl again and cancelled the exchange. I'll be attending a couple of events this summer, and am now motoring about the local area, waving to all and sundry. I couldn't be having more fun, and won't be leaving "Leftie" to moulder in the garage any more. After all as Tennyson once wrote.................................
"How dull it is to pause, to make an end,
To rust unburnish'd, not to shine in use!"
I think I'll stick those lines above my desk. Just to keep me right!!
Hope Tennyson helped and glad Oscar Wilde didn't sway you