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Morris Minor Owners Club Barnsley Branch Rally

9^th May 2004
Elsecar Heritage Centre, nr Barnsley

In total, I counted about 60 Minors on the day but may have missed a few, as they were coming and going all of the time. At least 4 branches of the MMOC were represented. In addition to this there were a number of other cars and about 20 motorbikes.

Since acquiring one, this is the first Morris Minor show I have managed to attend and it was completely fascinating. I know how obvious this statement will sound, but I was amazed at the variety represented. This variety is not only in the range of models, but many other things such as the condition and presentation.

It was very interesting to have a good look around a few models similar to our own. In some respects, this was quite depressing, as there were some truly fantastic examples on display, and as solid and reliable as ours is, I can’t in all honesty say the same of it. One of the things that will probably need addressing on ours over the next 12 months is the hood, which is currently a quite badly cracked and torn brown vinyl example. Having explored the price differences and finishes I am now in no doubt that it has to be mohair. The second thing is that it is probably worth getting it professionally fitted.

But, getting back to the show, having said it was depressing, as I mentioned, there were cars in all conditions and the less-pristine examples are often as interesting as the Concours ones.

Also interesting were the variety of models. Of course all body shapes were to be found, but my personal favourite was the AA van. The van itself was a pleasure to see, but the father and son team showing it enhanced this it by turning out in full AA uniform. Others worthy of specific mention were the panda cars including one that apparently had featured in ‘Heartbeat’.

Turning to the other cars that made it along on the day, there were probably about 20 in total.

Most noticeable of these were the Granada’s who were clearly making it a club day of their own. I don’t know if it is my imagination, but these 70’s and 80’s Ford clubs seem to be becoming much more popular and active. I’m not sure if this is because there’s a new generation of enthusiasts who grew up with these cars, or whether people have simply realised what great value they are.

I did have a theory that the value of these cars had gone up over the past few years, but a quick scan through back issues of ‘Practical Classics’ has shown that the increase is negligible. So much for that theory!

Finally a word about Elsecar itself. Even having been myself and picked up the leaflets, I couldn’t think how to describe it, so I won’t. Here’s what they say on the local tourism web site:

"The award winning Elsecar Heritage Centre is an exciting History and Craft Centre, set in the attractive conservation village of Elsecar and surrounded by beautiful South Yorkshire countryside. The Centre is located within the former ironworks and colliery workshops of the Earls Fitzwilliam, where visitors can explore the attractively restored buildings and monuments, wander alongside the Dearne and Dove Canal and follow footpaths including a branch of the Trans-Pennine Trail."

What I would say is that it seemed to be a completely appropriate setting for an event of this type. One thing not mentioned above is the fact that there’s a working steam railway, always a useful distraction for those of us with young kids.

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