The trade explains

Sir,

The letter from Jeremy Woods in the December issue almost makes me feel guilty since I am partly responsible for the Morgan van advertised at £475. On quickly reading his letter anybody might be led to believe that our company is making a vast profit and I think that any jury should hear both sides of the story before making judgement.

I bought the car two years ago for £250. It was a high price but I was told that it had undergone complete restoration (the appearance certainly suggested that this might be the case). My first five runs ended thus: 1. (the day I collected it) oil pipes blocked, battery flat, towed home. 2. magneto armature went soggy, towed home. 3. loose bolt in flywheel went thro’ rear of crankcase and rear main, towed home. 5. prop. shaft broke, towed home. All this took many weeks and quite a bit of cash to put right after which I was a penniless enthusiast; actually the enthusiasm was wearing a bit thin as well) but at the end of it I reckoned that I mutt have a damned good Moggie. Alas on the sixth run the rear wheel bearings seized and I was lucky not to loose the wheel altogether. However, perseverance usually wins through and after swapping the JAP engine for a Matchless. I finally overcame the front end problems. At this time my accessory business needed an eyecatching van and since I could not afford another machine I built the van body to fit the rear of the Moggie.

The new body was interchangeable from the beetle back and I den’t think that it detracted from what was not an “Original” Morgan in the first place.

Eventually I tied up with Antique Automobiles and the van took on new colours: Throughout this year it has performed quite well and is now being sold to make way for a Leyland bus. Quite apart from the space we need the cash. The Complete Automobilist Ltd. is a small company run by enthusiasts for enthusiasts and simply cannot afford to sell et a greater loss than necessary.

Come on all you Mogmen—if you all bought the odd grease nipple or roll of jointing paper from us we might be able to sell all our vehicles at a loss for the benefit of those with ability and time but no cash.

Baston.
A. T. FRASER.
Manager,
The. Complete Automobilist Ltd.