Hampshire Morris Minor, Classic Cars in Spring at Easter

NATIONAL DRIVE IT DAY – 27 APRIL – EXBURY CLUB

We have nominated the “Pride and Joy Vehicle Meet” at Exbury Club again this year as our Drive It Day destination.  Pride and Joy Vehicle Meets happen all over the country and the meet is a regular at the Exbury Club.  Generally, there is an eclectic mix of vehicles; classic, modern and niche.  The Exbury Club has a tea and coffee hut, which sells home-made cakes and is very close to Exbury Gardens & steam railway, which will be open on 27 April. Entry to Exbury Club is free and we are hoping to be allocated an area for HAMMOC. Last year we had loads of visitors, we hope to see you all again this year. Cars will be in place from 1030am to around 4pm.

REPORT ON THE PRESENTATION ABOUT “JACK” DANIELS -

Sir Alex Issigonis’ Draughtsman

William John (Jack) Daniels (8 Feb 1912 – 27 Nov 2004) was born into a sheep farming family in Oxfordshire but became an automotive engineer and principal draughtsman to Sir Alec Issigonis.  Jack was most famous for his work on the 1948 Morris Minor and the 1959 Mini. 

Jack was apprenticed to MG Motors in 1927 and greatest individual contribution was to design the first mass production independent front suspension (IFS), initially for the Y Type MG Saloon.  The design was a coil spring IFS combined with an early rack & pinion steering which went into production in the 1938 Y Type MGs.

During the war Jack worked on several vehicles and components for military use, including the “Salamander” armoured car, based on the Morris 8 chassis.

He was involved in some experimental projects such as designing a mobile winch capable of handling10,000ft of cable.

The idea was to “fly” the cable with kites, onto which were attached explosives to complement the barrage balloon defences.  Two problems were encountered, keeping the kites aloft in light winds and winching the explosives back down to earth - safely.  The project was abandoned – to the relief of the ground crews and surrounding population.

He was also involved in the design of amphibian logistic vehicles capable of an 11 ton payload and a really heavyweight torsion suspension bar for the “Tortoise” tank, which weighed in at 90 tons.

Jack was introduced to Alec Issigonis around 1936. Issigonis could be famously prickly, but Jack said “Issy and I just gelled”.  Issy’s was the inspiration, mine was the perspiration. 

Towards the latter part of the war the two were tasked with the design of a new Morris small family car. 

Initially called a Mosquito after the famous wartime aircraft.  The apocryphal tale is that Issy decided that the prototype was too narrow.  He had Jack and some others literally saw down the middle of the prototype chassis. 

With each half mounted on a trolley he moved them apart until he liked the design.  That distance was 4 inches.  Then Jack & Co welded it together with some spare steel plate.  Thus, creating the Morris Minor, complete with the 4 inch strip down the bonnet, where it had been “pulled apart”, which somehow made it into production.

Jack & Issy also played around with their first design for a revolutionary car with a transverse engine A-Series front-wheel-drive (FWD) design in a Minor body.  It took 4 years to complete and entered production as the Mini.

Around 1952, Jack was working on a Ferguson 4 Wheel Drive design, as the FWD expert to complement the routine RWD designers.  Jack became involved in a number of projects such as the Salerni torque converter – a precursor of an automatic transmission and an early version of the Moulton hydrostatic suspension.

Although Jack is famous as Issigonis’ right hand man he was also his own man and was involved in many motoring projects of his own.

Classic Car and Restoration Show At the NEC

This year has been my first year of owning a classic car - my Morris Minor convertible.   I was lucky enough to go with a friend to the Classic Car Restoration show at the NEC this March. The show was on for 3 days and knowing how tiring it can be walking round the show and with the journey being long, we travelled up on Saturday afternoon, stayed overnight in a Premier Inn and were at the show bright and early on the Sunday morning.

There was an amazing display of fantastic cars and enthusiastic owners willing to talk and share their passion. Asked if I could pick a favourite? I couldn’t there were too many delights.

Owners and enthusiasts were of all ages and a few were working on ongoing projects there and then. The finishes on some of these vehicles was fantastic! There were auto jumble and trade stands , a very comprehensive auction going on , barn finds, club stands - I couldn’t find a stand covering hoods though which is something I wanted, this was my only disappointment.

All the rest though was a joy to behold. I brought back a few pictures I hope you will enjoy.

Report by Stephanie C.

Goodwood Track Day  

I actually organise the Goodwood Rally and am a member of the A30 A35 Southampton and New Forest Owners Club, and I also organise their rallies. This is the second year that we have been to Goodwood, one of our members works there and he manages to get me a Saturday for my Parade Rally. As we need a minimum of 30 cars and our club, due to the advancing age of both the cars and the members and the distance to travel from the New Forest, I can only get about eight of our club members there, so I open the Rally up to the Morris Minor Club, and Austin A35 club, the Women Drivers Social Club and Pete Yeoman's group. 

This year we had 41 cars come along on the day, I had managed to get 45 places, but sadly three people didn't turn up, and hadn't let me know so there were people on the waiting list for places, that missed out. 

The Cars and owners and friends congregate in the car park, catching up with old friends and making new, until the Marshals are ready to lead us in. We line up on the grid, another photo opportunity, then we are led around the track, coming off at the end of the third lap.

We raised £205 for the chosen charity, which this year was a local children's centre that had been broken into and vandalised.

Report by Chrissie C.

HAMMOC Rally 1st June 2025

HAMMOC will hold its annual rally in 2025 at Army Flying Museum, Middle Wallop, Stockbridge, Hampshire, SO20 8FB. Visitors are welcome - sign up through the website.

For Sale 1956 Morris Minor Project

The colour of this car is Old English white.  This car would have to be a hobby and a labour of love as it’s in a poor condition. Hopefully it will find a good home.

The car is based in Southampton and will obviously need to be seen by anyone interested in purchasing it. More pictures available.

Price £500, please contact Jane James on 07394 994956 janebrendajames56@gmail.com