MORRIS 131
FIRST OFF
THE LINE
As the 60th anniversary year progresses, one iconic
little car is enjoying its own birthday celebration.
Words Holly Daffurn Photography Gerard HughesW
ith show season solidly devoting
itself to Mini 60, the oldest
surviving Morris off the
production line is part of the
action and it all started with a
trip back to Cowley.
Five years ago, Lars Søe-Jensen made a promise
to himself. He would take his Morris back to the
Oxford Plant on the anniversary of its build date.
On 15th May, Lars was filled with an immense
sense of pride as he found himself and his
f lawlessly refurbished car outside the Cowley
plant, exactly 60 years after it rolled off the
production line.
After this symbolic occasion, Lars returned
home to Denmark, leaving the car at Cowley. The
car has spent the summer at the Oxford Plant,
where it has been celebrated as part of various
internal events and proudly displayed at the
Visitor Centre. Lars and his wife, Helle, were
reunited with the beloved Morris at the start of
August, taking it to the National Metro & Mini
Show and IMM, making an impression at both
events as part of the 1959 Mini Register stand.
Morris 131 is the 29th Morris built at Cowley
and the second oldest surviving Morris after
AOK. It would have been built in South Works, E
Block - a building that no longer exists - yet in
terms of geographic location, expertise and
passion the Oxford Plant is undeniably the
birthplace of the Morris.
On the 23rd August 2013, Lars received an email
from Aalholm Automobile informing him that he
had won lot number 317 – making him the proud
new owner of that glorious Morris Mini Minor.
From that day, Lars set himself a very specific
goal. Not only would he bring it back toMORRIS 131
FIRST OFF
THE LINE
As the 60th anniversary year progresses, one iconic
little car is enjoying its own birthday celebration.
Words Holly Daffurn Photography Gerard HughesW
ith show season solidly devoting
itself to Mini 60, the oldest
surviving Morris off the
production line is part of the
action and it all started with a
trip back to Cowley.
Five years ago, Lars Søe-Jensen made a promise
to himself. He would take his Morris back to the
Oxford Plant on the anniversary of its build date.
On 15th May, Lars was filled with an immense
sense of pride as he found himself and his
f lawlessly refurbished car outside the Cowley
plant, exactly 60 years after it rolled off the
production line.
After this symbolic occasion, Lars returned
home to Denmark, leaving the car at Cowley. The
car has spent the summer at the Oxford Plant,
where it has been celebrated as part of various
internal events and proudly displayed at the
Visitor Centre. Lars and his wife, Helle, were
reunited with the beloved Morris at the start of
August, taking it to the National Metro & Mini
Show and IMM, making an impression at both
events as part of the 1959 Mini Register stand.
Morris 131 is the 29th Morris built at Cowley
and the second oldest surviving Morris after
AOK. It would have been built in South Works, E
Block - a building that no longer exists - yet in
terms of geographic location, expertise and
passion the Oxford Plant is undeniably the
birthplace of the Morris.
On the 23rd August 2013, Lars received an email
from Aalholm Automobile informing him that he
had won lot number 317 – making him the proud
new owner of that glorious Morris Mini Minor.
From that day, Lars set himself a very specific
goal. Not only would he bring it back to