LIFE IN THE SLOW LANE
There’s no shame in taking your time over the build of a Mini or even to consider the process more important than driving it. Ross Burchnall’s 1961 Morris Minivan is certainly such an example, having taken him 12 years to transform from what was a tatty example back in 2006 that he describes thus: “Postman Pat red with a white roof and Sports Pack arches.” There were 10 previous owners on the logbook, a 1275cc A+ under the bonnet and, for £1,400, the price was quite reasonable when compared to today’s values, especially for such an early example (the Morris Minivan first appeared in June 1960 along with the Austin Seven ¼-ton Van).
“Looking at the pictures and seeing the rear seat conversion, with the original plate, made us realise it was a Mini, especially a Van, that needed saving,” he says. “After a phone call, a deal was done and, a few weeks later, we headed over with a trailer and picked it up. The seller was more into Morris Minors than Minis, as he explained to
