It clearly states not taxed (due July 1, 1999) and export. Which is true: it came from UK in 1998.
Furthermore I have a very clear link to it's past. At least I think I have, if the glove box lid is not original I'm totally lost. Let me explain.
A very nice batch has been attached to the glove box lid, which states 'Supplied by Philpott's Garage' in Ramsgate.
Searching the internet 17 years ago (just after I bought it) did not give any result. But when I started to look for any clou again a few months ago, via the MM forum UK and some own research I stumbled in some interesting information.
Philpotts Garage really existed in Ramsgate. Philpott was merely in the business of motorbikes and scooters. Here some pictures:
Watch the Morris in front of the store window:
And I also found following here.
Afraid maybe someday it will not be available anymore, I copy the text:
Charlie Philpott was keen on racing and performed on grass tracks and on the hard sand at Sandwich Bay. In 1936, he built the garage and showrooms at the bottom of Nethercourt Hill with a fine selection of petrol and oil pumps on the forecourt. Later as his family grew, an additional room was added on top of the building. Charlie Philpot’s brother Roy was his clerk with Mr Fred Lines assisting in the office. Doug Whitling was in charge of the motor cycle repair section. The garage was taken over by the army during WW2, who managed to knock over some of the oil pumps. Charlie re-opened for business as soon as he could after the war was over.
And
My father, Frank Gore, worked at Philpott's as an apprentice motorcycle mechanic from 1945-52, when he went for National Service in the REME. Anyone remember him? He's still going strong (nearly 80) and lives at Larkfield near Maidstone.
My grandfather was George Gore, who worked as a carpenter for WS Cole & Son who built the garage. Both rode motorcycles. Which probably explains why I've been riding for the last 30 years too!
The search continues...
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ReplyDeleteHi, I don't know if you have this information but Philpotts were indeed Morris agents. I worked there for 9 years until they closed in early 1972. I remember fitting the badges to all new vehicles. Hope this helps. Dennis
ReplyDeleteWow, you might have been the one who fitted the batch in my Minor! For me a great thing to hear.
DeleteI own the Morris now for 17 years, it was imported from UK in 1998, and converted from a 2 doors Saloon to a Convertible in UK just before shipping. About 15 years ago I already tried to find some info about the Philpotts Garage, but internet has not been that common in those days. When I started to look again recently, I immediately found the pictures i put on my blog. I also found some other details.
I was told Philpotts never has been a Morris agent (some who had access to the BMC-files), but you confirmed they were. How important was their car business? Did they sell new and 2nd hand?
If you have pictures from that period, I’m very much interested. Also if you could send me a picture of yourself, I would very much like to put it on my blog (if you agree)! The batch on my Morris is special, with the story behind it (and you) it’s amazing.
Hope you don’t mind me asking all these questions, but the car is important for me and my family.
Best regards,
Theo
(vandevelde,theo at gmail.com)