MOST people with a car approaching 50 years old would think of scrapping it before offering it to a museum.
But the British Motor Museum was more than happy to take a 1971 Morris Marina 1.3 deluxe donated by careful owners the Goodings from Essex.
The Marina, which was their everyday car for more than 40 years, has 130,000 miles on the clock, and has been cherished and meticulously maintained.
Mr Gooding, who is now in his 80s, wanted his car to be looked after and cared for in kits old age and could think of no better place than the Gaydon-based museum.
The Morris Marina was manufactured by the Austin-Morris division of British Leyland from 1971 until 1980, and was a popular choice among British drivers throughout its production life.
The 1.3 deluxe was the bread-and-butter model for many drivers. In 1971 the car would have cost £921 including purchase tax.
The museum’s workshop spent two weeks preparing and polishing the vehicle, and it is now on show.
Museum curator Stephen Laing said: “We would like to thank Mr and Mrs Gooding for their kind donation. The Marina is perhaps not the most glamorous of models, but it is one that holds memories for many of our visitors.
“The Gooding’s Marina is a splendid example of a car that has given faithful service for one family, each day for so many years”.
The museum is often offered cars but has has strict criteria about what it takes to ensure the vehicle is right for the collection.
Visit www.britishmotormuseum.co.uk for further details.
