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The ASMMOC has around 30 members as of January 2026. Lets meet some of them and hear their moggies story.
Above: Sue and Trudy at Thornbury Animal Sanctury in June 2024.
Our Chair, Sue Fairest, with Trudy the Traveller
I’d always been interested in ‘old’ vehicles and spent many a happy weekend at historic and classic events, watching both car and motorbike classic racing as well as rallies and displays. I promised I’d treat myself to a classic car when I retired and started looking in 2020. I considered various models and ages but realised whenever I spotted a Morris Minor….. I smiled. So the decision was made. I joined the Around Sheffield Morris Minor Club early on in my search and gradually became the longest standing member who didn’t actually own one!
I travelled up and down the UK in my search and eventually purchased ‘Trudy’ in early 2024. I’m not a mechanic of any level so took my time to find a car in good condition which, hopefully, I can keep up to scratch.
Trudy is a 1963 Morris Traveller ‘Delux’ and still has her original 1098cc engine. She passed the 100,000 milestone on 17th August 2025 and the club helped me celebrate as we were out at the annual Sheffield ‘Classics on the Moor’ event on that day.
Trudy has had bodywork, interior and woodwork restored over the last few years but all work undertaken has been to match, as closely as possible, her original specification.
Her first owner was Major Richard Hutchinson, purchased on 13th June 1963 in Devon. After two further owners in Devon she moved to Yarmouth, Norfolk, then to West Lothian in Scotland, and then to Hampshire. I’m her 6th owner, based in Sheffield, Yorkshire.
Trudy has an original ‘A’ plate, which is quite rare as it was only registered in the London area in 1963. The old pre-fix numbers were not used nation-wide until the ‘C’ plate two years later. Trudy is now listed on the MMOC Dual Personality Register as she is one of those cars produced between 1961 – 63 with a mixture of the ‘old’ parts’ and newer parts following the upgrade in engines etc at that time.
Above: Trudy on the field outside The Waverley 2025.
Since purchase the only problems I’ve had was a new battery required and the driver’s door catch. Any pot hole or speed bump, even driving around tight corners, could cause the door to fly open! A new catch was purchased and, fingers crossed, all now sorted.
Since purchase she’s been out and about locally and was on the MMOC stand at the NEC Classic Car Show in 2025. This was my longest journey to date in Trudy but now have the confidence to plan longer trips, possibly down from Yorkshire to the south coast for the Goodwood Revival meeting.
Sue Fairest, Chair
Meet Miss Daisy
When I bought Miss Daisy I intended to progressively and lovingly return her to original condition as much as possible. She is a Series 5 Morris Minor with the standard 1098cc overhead valve engine, SU carburettor, and 4 speed gearbox.
I have the original key, starting handle, and jack. I have also managed to retain her original bill of sale for Highfield Garage, London N21, on the 18th of August 1969. The price when new amounted to £698. This was because she was fitted with seatbelts, wing mirrors, and an underbody seal.
Above: Debbie with Miss Daisy at ASMMOCs Annual Rally 2025.
Below: Miss Daisy at ASMMOCs Annual Rally 2025.
The original service book shows she was regularly serviced at the same garage she was purchased from, right up to 1977. There are also numerous MOT certificates dating from 1972.
More recently, Daisy has had a reconditioned engine, gearbox, and diff. As well as, new shoes, drums, and a new carburettor.
Debbie
The Pride of Lincolnshire
This standard 2 door saloon was supplied, as new, by Fulletby Motors of Horncastle Lincolnshire to Ms Elsie Key on the 8th of May 1963. Ms Key lived in (and around) Tattershall and Coningsby. She was well known and loved by the local community, as she served in her fathers shop and became post mistress.
When she passed away the car was purchased by the owner of Finneys garage, who had serviced the car for Ms Key, for the sum of £37. The Finney’s owned the car for over 20 years. Mr Finney’s children learnt to drive in it and knew the car as Elsie.
Above: The Saloon in question pictured at Ashover Show in July 2026.
Above: Gary pictured with his moggie.
On Mr Finney’s retirement in the late 90s, the car passed through the hands of a local car dealer and, in the year 2000, to Mr Keith Clifton. Mr Clifton also lived in a village in Lincolnshire. During his ownership, which spanned 25 years, the car had extensive work carried out to both the structure, bodywork, and the engine. He referred to the car as Maurice (in the french style).
We bought the car in June of 2025, ending its long association with Lincolnshire, bringing the car to Derbyshire. We do intend to take the car back to Tattershall to visit the Finny family soon. Mr Finny will now be 92 years of age and has known this car from new.
In the year since we bought the car, we have covered 1000 happy miles without issue. The car always starts the first time and never fails to put a smile on our faces. We intend to do our best to preserve the car, while we are custodians.
Gary
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