Hand Me Down

Over the last four decades, Ken Allan's £60 1961 Mini Minor served as his daily drive and later carried out the same duty for both of his daughters.

- Rob Hawkins

Most families have something that everyone gets to use, whether it’s clothing, tools, bicycles or cars. These items are rarely seen as special and, in the case of Ken Allan and his family, the 1961 Morris Mini Minor he bought in 1977 from a friend, for £60, probably wasn’t viewed with much enthusiasm or as having potential value at the time.

The previous owner had bought it from the original owner and had fitted new wings and revived it in time for his daughter’s 17th birthday. Sadly, the surprise unveiling of her 16-year-old car didn’t go down well. She wanted a Ford Escort instead! Hence, Ken was offered the car and thought it would be a good idea to drive to work and back in a Mini. He did just that until 1980, when he moved house and finances were a little tight. The Mini was stored under a car port, and then inside a garage, before his eldest daughter, Lynnette, used it to learn to drive and as her daily transport between 1988 and 1991. His other daughter, Jackie, did likewise between 1995 and 1998.