Morris Minor KDR 113

my morris minor

_'Destiny'
My 'twin' - KDR 113



8th February 2008 at Sandbanks

My Morris Minor Series II
First registered in Plymouth on 8th February 1955 - the day I was born!
Finished in Empire Green

CCOTP Lulworth Castle
2nd September 2007



A superb setting... and showing off her new picnic box



Differing views

Morris Minor Dorset Branch Rally
1st July 2007


A line up of Travellers... and Series IIs

Plenty of Minor 1000's

A superb Wolseley 1500 and an immaculate Ford 'Y' Type

Destiny ready for judging - and with her award for best Series II

'Quay for my Car' event on Poole Quay on Friday 15th June 2007

A Minor Reflection !

It's second outing was to the 'Quay for my Car' event on Poole Quay on Friday 18th May 2007,
where the above photos were taken. It is pictured in front of the new Dolphin Quays monstrosity, the bulk of which still remains empty, having been built several years ago. The view the other side is rather better, with Sunseeker yachts moored along the Quay!

It's first 'official' outing was the annual Bournemouth Classic Cars on the Prom event,
held on New Year's Day 2007 at Bournemouth Seafront.
Not the most picturesque spot to be parked!!

Taken on our birthday, 8th February 2007!!

A Brief history

KDR 113 is a Series II Morris Minor, one of over 270,000 such models built between 1953 and 1956 and commonly known as ‘split-screen’ Minors. The Series II features the smaller rear window and was fitted with an 803cc overhead valve engine. In 1956 it was replaced by the Minor 1000, which is easily identified by it's single-piece windscreen and larger rear window. Being a de-luxe model model, she was fitted with leather seats, a heater and a passengers sun-visor!

She was completed on 10th January 1955 and three days later she was despatched from the factory at Cowley, Oxford, to Barton Motors Limited in Plymouth, where she was first registered. Records show that in 1969 she was registered to an address in Bristol but later that year moved to London. In 1970 her owner moved to the Bridgewater area of Somerset and in 1972, she was sold. She remained in the Bridgewater area until 1987, changing ownership twice during this time.

In October 1987 her relatively new owner moved to Dorchester, where she remained for the next 10 years or so.

In August 1998 a local Morris Minor enthusiast purchased her. He carried out restoration work between 1998 and 2000 and subsequently used her as an everyday vehicle, covering over 4,000 miles between June 2001 and July 2002. It was in 2001 that her 803cc engine was replaced with the larger 948cc engine, as fitted to the later Minor 1000 models.

In January 2003 she was sold to a work colleague of mine and during his period of ownership, she travelled just under 200 miles!

I purchased KDR 113 in October 2006 and whilst aware that she was a 1955 model, it wasn’t until I had bought her that I discovered she was first registered on 8th February 1955 – the day I was born - hence her name!!

It is not surprising that I have an affection for the 'Moggie', it must be in my blood, and the photograph above shows my Dad, and elder brother in a split screen model. This must be dated 1957-1960. No idea whose car it was!

117 LMM joined our family in 1966, having been bought by the same elder brother mentioned above, now turned 17! She was a 1957(8?) Morris Minor 1000 in birch grey, having been bought from a local schoolteacher. It was the first car in the family!
The photo shows a proud new owner, who had yet to pass his test!

Dad would often borrow 117 LMM for family picnics, and this photo shows (left to right) me, my Grandad, my younger brother and my Mum.

In 1972 I bought the car from my brother, as it needed a new gearbox and as he was saving for a house, couldn't afford the expense. It finally gave up the ghost when in need of major welding work.