352 VKL rolled off the production line in November 1962 - a foor-door, dove grey saloon.

It became the proud possession of George Richard Scott, the first new car he had ever owned.

The years passed... in due course George retired and the car only made an infrequent trip to the shops, a few miles every week.

By now, George's grandson, Graham had passed his driving test. He had obtained an Austin A40, which proved to have very little life left in it, and eventually went the way of all(?) Austin A40's. He wanted (needed?) another car, and after brief negotiation, 352 VKL passed into his hands.

There were changes - a smaller, more sporty steering wheel, props to the rear, a burglar alarm, a roof rack for the car, and a wife and children for the owner. There was a proposal of marriage (in the car) which linked the two. In 1978 Graham married Ann - the car got him to the Church on time, but another (hired) took them on honeymoon. 352 VKL remained the family car, through the birth of Robert (born in 1979) and Jane (born 1981) but a growing family brought other changes.

Not long after Jane's birth, 352 VKL passed to a third member of the family. Somewhat belatedly, Stuart (Graham's little brother) had passed his test and the car became his in March 1981.

Soon he joined the Morris Minor Owners Club, and began to attend rallies around the Midlands.

Seventeen years later, 352 VKL is still Stuart's prized possession, though showing signs of age. There have been changes - the engine replaced twice, the clutch replaced, significant restoration work to the floor, new wings; the sporty steering wheel and the props have gone, the passenger seat is now blue instead of the usual red, the quarter lights have been replaced. The distinctive (!) roof rack is still there, the alarm, now not functioning, is still on the car.

352 VKL may never be a rally winner, a Concours or Masters. But four times she has come away with the award for the car most worthy of attention. Rallies are not as frequent as they might be, as the owner is now a Rev in the United Reformed Church and has Sunday duties which prevent travelling very far. However there have been trips to too many national rallies to count, including both the 40th and 50th birthday rallies, to Weston Park, Knebworth, Billing, Blenheim, Harewood Hall and Sandringham.

There have been other changes. There is a wife, Jan. 352 VKL took bride and groom from the Church ten years ago. And now Rebecca who appeared in Minor Matters a few years ago and attended her first rally when nine days old, is seven and Jonathan is four. There have been other cars too - a Metro, a Peugeot 205, a Ford Escort have all come and gone, while the Minor goes on and on. 352 VKL is in use nearly every day, as reliable as ever, and though there may be temptations to part with her as the years take their toll, I believe in resisting and overcoming temptation.