The VSCC’s Winter Driving Tests are traditionally the club’s last event of the year, usually taking place early in December. This year the event lived up to its name with thick frost and freezing fog making the test conditions on the former RAF airfield at Bicester even more difficult as a result. Here, Duncan Buck puts his 1930 Morris Minor Semi-Sports special (BS 9400) through its paces, bravely driving sans gloves and a hat! (Photo: Catherine Buck)
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The Network’s fourteenth rally will be based upon Chard in Somerset, England and is scheduled to take place over the weekend of 7th-9th June 2024. Chris and Sue Hipwood, our rally hosts, have put together a full program of activities including our traditional Saturday and Sunday tours. These will take in a meander through the world renowned Somerset Levels and the outstanding Blackdown Hills. An entry form can be found here, while an accommodation list is here. It should be noted that all of the rally’s social gatherings will be taking place at The Hornsbury Mill where accommodation is also available. If you are intending to stay at the mill, then it is advisable to book early and specifically quote the Minor Rally when doing so. There are just 30 rally entry slots available, so to avoid disappointment please get your entry form in quickly.
Just 2816 1931 SV Morris Minor Coachbuilt Saloons were manufactured of which this late spring East Sussex registered car is one. Some of this number were built as Fabric Saloons although precisely how many (how few is probably more appropriate) is not known. The three formidable women in this photo, led by Nora Batty’s double, are perhaps on their way to church. The leaves on the trees and open windscreen on the Minor would indicate that it’s high summer, but hats, coats and gloves are clearly the order of the day.
The Triple M series of MG’s all belong to a family of models that commenced with the 1929 MG Midget and continued through to the mid-thirties via a long string of four and six cylinder OHC engined cars that forged the marques identity.

GH 1733 was first registered in South West London in July 1930, and was probably supplied by Jarvis of Wimbledon who were the main MG agent in that area. There are only a few personal touches to be seen on this car, the Stadium Autoscope drivers mirror, the front mud flaps and the positioning of the tax-disk holder. Other than that, the car looks absolutely standard with not even a badge adorning the front cross-member. The driver’s flat cap was also de rigueur at that time.
Morris Register Merchandise:
The third (fully revised and updated) edition of the John Nagle compiled handbook The Complete Morris Minor is now available to purchase from the Morris Register Spares store HERE.
Priced at £19.47 + Postage & Packing (Rest of world p&p prices also available upon request.)
Network Merchandise:
The 2024 edition of the Pre-war Minor Network calendar, featuring memorable images from all 13 annual rallies held to date is now in stock. The calendar is available in two versions, these being: Standard size A4 per page, and: Extra large A3 per page. Prices including U.K. postage & packing are A4 £14.40, and A3 £15.49. To order, email chris@prewarminor.com providing your postal address details. Payment via PayPal is preferred although other payment options are available upon request.