S. Africa Motor Sports: Classic Morris Minor turns 70-years-old

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Still in South Africa, a classic motor vehicle is being CELEBRATED FOR withstanding the test of time. The Morris Minor turns 70 years old this year and in Cape Town, many still seem to be running strong. CGTN's Travers Andrews tells us more.

A Moggie, a Morgan or even a Morrie, which ever name the Morris Minor affectionally goes by, it is a classic amongst motoring enthusiasts around the world and in Cape Town, that's no different.

As part of its 70th celebrations, the Western Cape Morris Minor owners club is taking to the road, to try and drive up support and raise funds for their big upcoming gathering and they selling a classic South African cuisine, to pave the way.

FRIKKIE MULLER, CHAIRMAN WESTERN CAPE MORRIS MINOR OWNERS' CLUB "We selling boerewors rolls, our aim is to get money for our 2020 rally. There's four provinces or four clubs in South Africa, every club must have a national rally, so now for the Western Cape it's our rally in 2020."

Since 1948 more than 1 million Morris Minors have been built and sold globally. These 55 cars are the price and joy of their Cape Town owners and everyone of them,look as if they'd just left the showroom.

Models ranged from 1969 to 1984, many with thousands of kilometres on the road and a long history to match. It is the extremely rare convertible editions though, that seems to turn the heads.

"You do get a lot of looks, people past you by or hanging back behind you to look at the car, then they draw along side give thumbs up."

"They stop us at the gas station,either wanting to buy the car,or washing what you got under the bonnet because it really does motor well."

But with a pimped out sound system and a colour scheme to match, it's easy to see why these classic rides are appealing, to broader section of society.

TRAVERS ANDREWS CAPE TOWN "Now of course the Morris Minor has been around for a very long time and along the way it's also picked up a following among the younger crowds."

NARENDRA NAIDOO, MEMBER WESTERN CAPE MORRIS MINOR OWNERS' CLUB "It actually does pull a lot of the younger kids through because it's cool for them to see that kind of thing. It's an old school car but it appeals to them because you got you loud music kind of thing and I have a lot of youngsters come in and admire it and tell me how much they like it."

The Morris Minor may have its roots established in the UK but examples have been produced at factories in other countries,including in Durban, which many many local owners see, as South Africa's own contribution to the car's long and historical heritage, Travers Andrews, CGTN, Cape Town.