Pause for Martin's Moggy at newelectric car home
Far from its Wellington roots, a 53-year-old Morris Minor – once the future of British motoring – takes its place outside a new home of the future future of British motoring.
Originally registered in May 1966, GNT 541D was supplied by P Pierce's Ercall Garage in Wellington, and its first nine owners were all from Shropshire.
The tenth is 68-year-old Martin Robins, who is from Wiltshire, and his Moggy hasn't proved a bad buy.
"I acquired the car 12 years ago after it had spent all its life in the Wellington area," he said.
"It's going absolutely fine. I don't think it's ever let me down. To me it's a dream car. There's no tax, and the insurance is petty cash.
"You're not going to get anywhere at speed. After I had bought it in 2007 I used it to go up a hill some weeks later and it didn't go up very well. I found the person I bought it from and said: 'It doesn't go up hills very well.' He said: 'Try it in reverse.'"
Indeed, going up hills in reverse, a strong gear, was a trick practised by owners of early cars with anaemic engines.
As for the picture Martin sent us, this was set up specially.
"I live right by RAF Hullavington and the site has been sold to Dyson for their university for the electric car. Before they take it over we thought it would be appropriate to take that car and photograph it there. Some of the buildings are very attractive, and we did have permission."
His Moggy is photographed outside the base main administration building and officers' mess.
RAF Hullavington, currently home 9 Regiment, The Royal Logistic Corps, was recently bought by Dyson and will be the site of its new research and development centre, including development of Dyson's new electric car.
