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\nIn the attractive world of the UAE, Ferraris and Lamborghinis fit in perfectly next to the shiny skyscrapers and pioneering shopping malls. Even the increasingly popular classic cars are usually the elite of the past, with old Rolls-Royces and Mercedes the leading choices for those who want to be seen in something with a bit more history and panache.<\/p>\n
What doesn\u2019t fit in at all among all this glamour (which makes it even cooler) is the humble little Morris Minor. Released in 1948 as the UK\u2019s answer to budget motoring, the Minor would go on to sell more than 1.3 million units, with production running for an incredible 24 years.<\/p>\n
What also doesn\u2019t match the rest of the automotive crowd in the UAE is the engine. While many people scoff at the idea of having less than six cylinders, and a large percentage of the populous scooting around with eight or more under the bonnet, the Minor makes do with a frugal 918cc, four-cylinder engine.<\/p>\n
This tiny unit was good for just 27.5hp and 53Nm of torque, giving the little car a top speed of just 103kph. Before you ask, you\u2019d need an egg timer to measure the acceleration to 100.<\/p>\n
Perhaps its anti-glitz stance was part of the reason John Campbell brought his stunning 1970 Minor over to the UAE. His car is an even stranger sight in the country, as it\u2019s a Morris Minor van. The car was originally used as a Post Office Telephones van before being exported to Malta in 1974, where a farmer used it as a workhorse. It was then discovered in 2008 by an enthusiast, restored from the ground up and repainted in its original Post Office yellow. Since the car arrived in the country, Campbell has added the period correct logos on the side.<\/p>\n
\u201cMy family have had Minors back in Ireland for years,\u201d says Campbell. \u201cMy father had a few and it started my passion for old commercial vehicles. My dream classic isn\u2019t a Ferrari 250 GTO or something like that. It\u2019d be a Ford Model T van or pickup.\u201d<\/p>\n
But the Minor isn\u2019t just for fun. Campbell has a potential money-spinning sideline to the car as well. \u201cWe\u2019re investigating starting a small business renting the car out to help promote companies,\u201d says Campbell. \u201cIt\u2019s really eye catching and everyone looks at it. Everywhere you go people take pictures of the car. It\u2019s the perfect billboard.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhen I drive it, people wave and shout \u2018cool car\u2019 at me. I think they are really surprised to see it in the UAE. One lady even took a picture of it and put it on her blog,\u201d he adds.<\/p>\n
Perhaps the coolest thing about the car is the cost. The total price, including shipping to the UAE, came to just Dh55,000. That\u2019s real bargain classic motoring.<\/p>\n
\u201cI really want to drive it to one of the big, five-star hotels behind a few supercars and see the valet parking guy\u2019s face when I pull up in my van,\u201d says Campbell with a smile. \u201cSo far, I\u2019ve only been to the mall and back in it, as it\u2019s too hot for the car during the summer. Once the cooler weather arrives, I\u2019ll venture a little farther.\u201d<\/p>\n
Campbell also has a second Minor van being prepared for registration. Luckily for him, his wife Nazy loves the Minors as much as he does. \u201cThe clutch is hard and the seat doesn\u2019t adjust, but they\u2019re fun. It\u2019s like driving a toy,\u201d she adds.<\/p>\n