First class classic!

The chance to own a very special, beautifully restored Royal Mail Morris Minor van comes up next month when it is offered for sale at British Car Auctions (BCA), Blackbushe, near Camberley, Surrey.

The sale, on Monday 13th September, will showcase the pillar box red van, which comes with a great history as part of its heritage.  All the proceeds from the sale are going to the Royal Mail’s chosen children’s charity, Barnardos.

Tim Naylor, PR Manager, BCA commented “This Royal Mail Morris Minor van will strike a chord with anyone who remembers Royal Mail deliveries in the 60’s and 70s.   It has been beautifully restored by Royal Mail mechanics based at the workshop on the Isle of Wight.”

Registered on 4th February 1970, the van was used for deliveries in Christchurch, Bournemouth & Poole during its initial six years service.   In January 1976 it was sold to a local private buyer, but returned to Royal Mail 10 years later when it was bought privately by one of the managers at Royal Mail’s vehicle workshop.  In 1991 it went properly back into the Royal Mail fold, when it was bought by Royal Mail for special promotional activities.

A team of four dedicated Royal Mail employees at the Isle of Wight workshop then worked in their spare time to restore the van to its former glory in what can only be described as a ‘labour of love’.

Since its restoration, completed in 1992, the little red van has been used by the Royal Mail at local displays, fetes and festivals and it has raised money for charity at a number of events around the Isle of Wight and other parts of the UK. It has been a regular feature at the annual Goodwood Festival, where it was used to make deliveries around the showground.

“The Royal Mail and its workshop team at the Isle of Wight Service Centre are really keen that the Morris Minor Van goes to a good home” concluded Tim Naylor.  “BCA are looking forward to raising a substantial amount from the sale proceeds for their chosen charity, Barnardos.”

The Sale takes place on Monday 13th September at BCA Blackbushe.

For more information about the Royal Mail Morris Minor Van or to arrange to attend the sale please contact Louise Fowler, Maddy Roles or Wendy Harrison at HSL on 020 8977 9132.