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Morris 1800 rally car goes under the hammer at ACA

Published 24 July 2015

A Morris 1800 campaigned by three female journalists in the 1970 Daily Mirror World Cup Rally is to be auctioned.

The car, which wore number 91 and which was dubbed ‘The Beauty Box’, goes under the hammer at Anglia Car Auctions' sale on Saturday, 22 August.

Back in 1970, the car was entered into the world cup rally by an all-girl crew consisting of journalists Jean Denton, Liz Crellin and Pat Wright.

The rally team was sponsored by Motorwoman – a section of then-popular Woman magazine.

It was widely reported in Woman magazine and in motorsport titles in period. The team achieved 18^th place in total.

Prepared by BL Special Tuning on behalf of the privateer team, the car has been active in motorsport circles since, and has been fully restored.

Original features such as glassfibre doors, bonnet and boot for weight reduction are believed to remain with the car, though it currently wears steel replacements as part of a recent bare shell restoration to near concours condition.

The car is finished in its original livery of white over blue. The original-specification pink wing tops have recently been re-added; having been left off when the car was restored.

Lyn George of Anglia Car Auctions said, ‘Not only has it been sympathetically restored, but as a genuine works-prepared car it represents a slice of motorsport history which would be hard to replicate.

‘The fact it’s been active since only adds to its unique pedigree,’ she added.

The previous owners have been active within the Landcrab Register, and this car was exhibited at the Lancaster Insurance Classic Motor Show in 2013. It carries an estimate of £20,000-£25,000 – not bad for a genuine, works-prepared rally car.

Anglia Car Auctions next classic car sale takes place on Saturday, 22 August, with entries still being accepted.

Viewing is held on Friday, 21 August, from 2pm until 6pm. Doors open on Saturday at 10am with the sale starting at noon. The full catalogue can be viewed at the Anglia Car Auctions website.