Cars galore at the Morris Minor rally

MOTORING enthusiasts are busy this week bleeding brakes, staunching oil leaks and generally fettling mechanicals of about 48 long-in-the tooth cars as they prepare for the biennial Morris Minor Owners’ Club National Rally.

The Morris Minor is a British car designed by Sir Alec Issigonis, who also designed the original Mini. The concept was to combine the luxury and convenience of a good motor car at a price affordable by the working classes. More than 1.3 million of the lightweight, rear-wheel drive cars were produced from 1948 to 1974. Minors were assembled in South Africa at plants in Durban and Cape Town.

The event, in its 15th edition, will be taking place at The Nest hotel, in the Central Drakensberg’s Champagne Valley from Sunday, 16 March to Thursday, 20 March.

With none of cars at the rally less than 50 years old, and entrants coming from across the country some even as far off as China, getting to the rally is an accomplishment in itself. But once in the Berg there will be no resting on laurels. A packed programme is planned for the 89 confirmed entrants.

The most exciting part of the rally is likely to be the Concours d’Elegance on Monday, 17 March from 11am. Judges will be scrutinising the cars, checking for condition, cleanliness and originality. The winning car is likely to be in better than showroom condition, lovingly rebuilt to the last nut and bolt.

The judges and members of the public will have much to cast their eyes over, including a rare Series 2 Morris Traveller (split windscreen:”Woody”) from Johannesburg, a 1968 Tourer (convertible) from Cape Town and a number of 1950s era side-valve engined cars.

Apart from the concours, rally-goers, ranging in age from four to 72, will also be competing in The Amazing ‘Not-a-Race’ Fun Run on Tuesday, doing a spot of rocker racing (using rocker or tappet cover turned into toy cars) and enjoying a Drakensberg Boys Choir School concert.

There will also be a driving skills competition, outings, a picnic and a dance.

To find accommodation in Drakensberg, visit Afristay