Sunday Drive: Molly

Molly 

1954 Morris Minor

Owned by: Ben 

AS TOLD TO Joshua Brosnahan 

 I purchased this car at 15. I saw one when I was walking home from school, and I just knew it was the car I wanted. I was looking on Trade Me for ages, and then a friend of a friend was selling his, so I swooped in. My favourite thing about the car is that it has personality, compared to most other cars, and all the conversations you have with people, at red lights, and at petrol stations. I even met my driving instructor just because he came up to admire the car! 

I have added wing mirrors because Mum wouldn’t let me drive without them. I fully refurbished all suspension and brakes. I put a new gearbox in when first gear exploded in the original one on the way to Akaroa. I drove it home again with an exploded first gear! I blew the head gasket on the way to Nelson. The tow truck driver told me that when you have a Morris Minor, you shouldn’t try to take it to Nelson; you just drive to Cheviot, have a coffee and then drive home again! After this, I ended up fully rebuilding the engine in the living room. 

As far as I know, I’m the youngest member of the vintage car club here. I love The Parts Shed – I have spent hours in there, searching for parts. ‘Cars and Coffee’ on a Sunday is also great to see all the cars. I also entered a cross country event once with my younger sister as co-driver.