In 1968 as British Motor Holdings merged with Leyland Motor Corporation to form British Leyland Motor Corporation (BLMC) the Austin Minor Panel Van & Pick Up was introduced to replace the Austin A35 Panel Van & Pick Up, the design of which dated back to 1956.

Ironically the Austin Minor Panel Van was a badge engineered Morris Minor 1000 apart from the bonnet badge, crinkled ‘Austin’ grill and ‘Ausitn’ steering wheel boss the Austin Minor Panel Van is identical in every respect to the Morris Minor a design that originally dates back to 1948 !

This particular vehicle was registered somewhere between 1968 – 1969 and so was one of the early Austin Minors which are also distinguished ‘AA’ prefix to its chassis number rather than the ‘MA’ featured on the Morris Minor Van.

Manufacture of the Austin and Morris Minor Vans ceased in 1971 as the whole Morris Minor range was replaced by the exciting modern and thoroughly maligned Morris Marina.

Slightly off topic congratulations to Jimmie ‘I don’t sign autographs’ Johnson on taking his fifth consecutive Sprint Cup title after a fascinating race at Homestead Miami last night.

I imagine I am not alone in wondering why the title was not awarded to either the driver who won the most races Denny Hamlin or the driver who had the seasons, including the Chase, highest average finish (my driver) Kevin Harvick ?

Wishing you all a healthy week, as I look forward to preparing tomorrow’s edition of ‘Gettin a lil’ psycho on tyres’, don’t forget to come back now !