Mini marvel is Dave's pride and joy

The Clipper Blue vehicle, VAP 557, will be among hundreds of exhibits to be seen at the club’s annual summer show in Bexhill on Bank Holiday Monday, and like many other entrants’ cars holds a wealth of nostalgia.

Dave, a local taxi driver, said the Mini was bought new in July 1961 from the former T R Page garage at the sea end of Sackville Road - now a modern block of flats - by a local woman, Yvonne Gould.

The garage itself had some history, for it was opened in 1931 by Lord Nuffield and the legendary aviatrix Amy Johnson, who arrived by MG sports car after poor weather thwarted her plans to fly in.

During the Second World War the garage was taken over to manufacture aircraft components, such as undercarriages for De Haviland’s “wooden wonder”, the Mosquito fighter-bomber.

Dave said: “Because Miss Gould only used the car for shopping on Fridays and church on Sundays, it had just 42,000 miles on the clock when I bought it from her in March 2002.

“I put in a lot of tender loving care on the bodywork, although it had always been garaged to protect it from Bexhill’s salty air, and helped by club members’ expertise refurbished the external door hinges. But apart from that it’s pretty well the same as when it left the showroom.”

Although the car’s original log book is missing, Dave still has the bill of sale, warranty and dealer’s letters supplied by T R Page when it was first sold.

He said: “When I displayed these on the windscreen at the 2006 Senlac Classic Car Show I noticed a chap taking a particular interest. We got chatting and it turned out he was the very man who had signed the original warranty - Clem Beaton, by then aged 80.

“He remembered the car because it was supplied in a colour which was not part of the usual range at that time.”

In Dave’s hands the 848cc four-cylinder A-series engine car, with lanyard door releases, floor-mounted starter and four-speed gearbox with a “magic wand” lever and no syncromesh on first, has covered some 5,000 miles.

Most have been on trips to car shows where Dave said the Mini never fails to generate interest, despite its humble origins as a small family saloon. In November 2009 it was part of the club’s display at Birmingham NEC.

Birmingham is another link in Dave’s story, for as a paper boy in the suburb of Edgbaston he delivered to a Mr Issigonis - later Sir Alex Issigonis - the man who designed the BMC Mini, launched in August 1959.

“It’s a fun car to drive and gives me lots of pleasure, not least from all the memories that people have of cars like these,” said Dave, who also owns a locally-bought 1959 Mini and a 1960 model.

Monday’s show at the Polegrove Recreation Ground will see many other Minis on display, plus examples of such famous marques as Aston Martin, Ferrari, Jaguar, Triumph, and MG.

There is even a sizeable entry of Austin Allegros, British Leyland’s 70s saloon famous for its “square” steering wheel, and custom cars, motorcycles, military vehicles and trade stands are among other attractions.

The show is open from 10am to 5pm. Admission is £3 adults, £1 children and free for under-fives. Main sponsors are Drays of Bexhill, audio and TV suppliers in Western Road.