Going by record, my Morris Minor is 56 years old today.
It was registered on April 8, 1953 in the then Malaya. Originally in green, the 800 cc, petrol-powered beauty was registered as “JE 1143”.
After seeing the car at a workshop in Batu Pahat, I eventually bought it for RM2,500 on New Year’s day in 2001. It cost me another RM2,000 to have it painted in dark blue and tailored seat cover in light yellow.
Having scouted around for the car, it was a dream come true when I finally got to own one. I don’t know why I was so passionate about the car. Maybe because of it’s unique shape or the fact that the MM was no longer in production.
If at all there was a nostalgic feeling about the car for me it was because my late father had learnt to drive in a Morris Minor back in the 1960’s in the small town of Kuala Krai in Kelantan.
So having the chance to be behind the big steering wheel of the MM myself, I treasure every minute of the experience.
It was sheer excitement when I drove the car from Batu Pahat to Kuala Lumpur along the North-South Highway. It did not give me any problem at all although I was apprehensive at the start of the journey whether it could take me home to KL.
Fast forward, I remember the time when a motorcyclist flagged me to stop after trailing my MM. As I got to the side of the road, he came to me and and asked if I wanted to sell the car.
Then there was the time when my son, who was then in Primary One, was so embarrass to ride in the car when I went to pick him up from school. I saw from a distance how he tried to hide behind his friends when he saw the car coming. After waiting for a while, I had to get down and persuade Adam to get into the car.
As my dear MM turns a year older, it’s about time to give it a new breath of life.
I’m looking forward to drive the car again with a replacement engine that comes with an automatic gear and air-condition installed.
Awang, my new-found mechanic friend, is just as excited to get the ‘old guy’ up and running again
