Morris Minor Monthly - Dedicated to the Morris Minor

" FOR AS LONG as I can remember, I have always been a fan of the Beardmore brothers and their innovative work on modified Morris Minors, so I do feel quite privileged to be featuring their latest creation right here in Minor Monthly. Robin’s modified pickup was featured in a very early issue of this magazine so it’s great to see him back with his Mazda MX5 – Minor hybrid. To find out more flick through to page 28 and then check out their website where the saga continues! There’s been a lot of talk recently on various internet forums on how we can encourage more younger people to get involved in the Minor scene and projects such as Robin’s and the Zetec powered Minor we featured a few months back will no-doubt go a long way to showing the youngsters that the Minor isn’t just a car for retired folk, its something people of all ages and all backgrounds can enjoy. Our cover car is yet another example, and whilst not being as radical as the previous two mentioned it does stand out from the crowd and with the simple modifications that have been made it is more than happy to mix with more modern cars on the road. There will always be those that turn their noses up at modified and custom Minors but I think we all need to realise that to ensure that we see them on our roads for the next 60-years then changes have to be made, otherwise they will be confined to the museum, and that’s something that I’m sure none of us want to see. The Minor was built to be driven, and driven it should be! "

Jon Betts - Minor Monthly Editor

" THIS MONTH’S issue has been one of my favourites to put together for a number of reasons, firstly I’m sure I was not the only one to be left wondering how Mike Foster was going to fare behind the wheel of the stricken Renault so I was really looking forward to the second part of his ‘Tough Trek’ story. You can find out exactly what happened by flicking through to page 12. Secondly we have the story of Martyn Wallis and the pick-up that he has recently sold, I have to admit a degree of sympathy with him as I have deeply regretted selling most of my cars in the past but sometimes sacrifices have to be made, but its great to hear that his pick-up has gone to somebody that will love and cherish it as much as he has. We also have some great tales of other peoples Minor ownership from restoring their cars to getting out and about to various shows and events. If you would like to see your car or club featured within these pages then check out the advert on page 40. By the time this issue hits the news stands the Austin & Morris day at Brooklands will have been and gone and hopefully I will have bumped into a few of you and if you are lucky taken a picture of your car for the show feature that you can read in the next issue. Till then safe motoring "

Jon Betts - Minor Monthly Editor

"WOW, THE MARCH issue already, doesn’t seem like 5-minutes ago since I was unwrapping my presents under the Christmas tree! That’s the problem now, time just seems to fly by, maybe its just me getting old but the days and weeks just seems to disappear and before you know it that’s another page ripped off the calendar. This month’s issue should keep you busy for a while at least, as it is packed full of features which have been an absolute pleasure to put together and have meant meetinglots of interesting people. I especially enjoyed meeting Colin Sharpe whose 4- door is emblazoned on the front cover and the centre spread. I spent a wonderful afternoon with him and his Dad discussing Morris Minor’s and Lambretta’s, two of my favourite pastimes. Due to lack of space we have been unable to continue with the alternative classics feature, but rest assured it will return as many of you did write in to tell me that you approved of the move with not a single negative letter or email. Within a very short time the show season will once again be in full swing and I look forward to meeting many more of you in the coming months. Don’t be afraid to come and say hello, I’ll be the one with a camera in one hand and a greasy burger in the other!"

Jon Betts - Minor Monthly Editor

"AT THIS TIME of year many Minor owners can be found beavering away in their garages either getting on with their restoration projects or simply tidying up their Moggy in preparation for another season’s rallies and shows. It can also be a time when many projects get abandoned as owners lose interest. Dark nights and cold weather can easily dampen anyone’s enthusiasm, and if this is the case for you then its time to step back and take a break. Have a nice cup of tea and pick up a copy of your favourite magazine and hopefully give yourself a boost and then sit down and make a realistic list of goals you would like to achieve over the coming months, then as you reach them cross them off the list, I can guarantee this will make you feel better and will hopefully ensure that your Minor gets finished and back on the road where it belongs.
If that still doesn’t help, why not think about joining your local branch of the MMOC, there you will meet many like minded people and you never know one or two might even offer to lend you a hand, Minor owners are a friendly bunch and are always willing to help, especially if there’s a free drink, or two, in it for them!
Till next month
Happy Motoring"

Jon Betts - Minor Monthly Editor