NWL 435

[Mick Lynch]

Came across a photo of NWL 435 in the 1958 manual ‘Morris Minor MM’ by Ellison Hawks, published by Cassell Motoring Books

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Im assuming NWL 435 was a pre production model as NWL 435 predates the more famous NWL 576.

It has the split bumper.
What happened to it? Does it still exist or would it have been re registered and sold after 576? Is this potentially the ‘first’ series MM?

Photo was taken outside of the Shillingford Bridge Hotel, and I include a ‘now’ photo via google streetview

[simmitc]

Lovely little "find". Somehow I rather prefer the "then" shot. Not surprising, but that reg no is not on the DVLA enquiry system.

[jagnut66]

Yes, a very nice period shot.
You are right the scene looks much nicer 'back in the day' than currently.
I wonder how many locals are left that remember the main entrance being there......
I also wonder who the lady in the Morris was, or indeed is?
Does anybody on here know, is she still with us?
Best wishes,
Mike.

[philipkearney]

A number of these cars were built as pre production models and used for photo shoots on or before production and sales commenced. There are a lot of good photos in Jon Pressnell's Morris Minor official photo album and in Paul Skilletters book too. NWL 433 features a lot, it was a lowlight tourer. As a saloon, they would have a pair in 433 and 435 for the various photo shoots. Sadly neither car shows up on the dvla database now. NWL being the prefix for Oxford from July 1948 to January 1949.

In one of the books they explained that the models in the photos, usually ladies, were secretaries or other employees from Cowley. We'll probably never know who she was now.

[win]

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Just to continue with NWL 435 here is a article published in Minor Matters in Sept/Oct 1985, with a little more information regarding its early life.

Regards Win