Ministry Minors Part 3 by Russell Harvey

Ex-Military Travellers used by our Dutch Collaborators

In part 3 we look at the military travellers used by the British Army of the Rhine (BAOR), over 700 Military Travellers saw active service with (BAOR) in Germany, a high number of which are now owned and maintained by members of the Morris Minor Club Nederland (MMCN).
After Military duties ceased, these travellers were sold off via auctions held at the British Rhine Army base at Monchen-Gladbach. Many of these vehicles would never return to their British native soil again.

I am very grateful for information supplied by René Vinke and Anton Visser about the history and specifications of
the ex-BAOR travellers. Basically two Dutch companies learnt that the British authorities were selling these travellers at auction, the smaller company of the two played a minor role in importing travellers from Germany to Holland and disappeared due to bankruptcy this company was known as RJL Europa in Herkenbosch. The other company ‘Antique and Classic Cars’ were the main importers and was run by the two Takken brothers, Pieter Takken is still trading in the Motor Trade to this day. The import business was established at Hoofddorp near Amsterdam. After purchase at the auctions the cars were transported to Holland in batches of around 20 on trailers, at the end of the day they were then placed behind strong fencing. Early the following morning after a delivery the brothers and their staff drove the cars to the Dutch technical inspection authorities for approval to be used on the Dutch highways and to obtain legal registration number plates. For the inspection to take place the travellers had to be on the grounds if the Government Departments premises at 09.30 exactly, this led to the travellers having to be driven illegally on the Dutch roads!

So as to avoid detection they were driven over narrow dike roads right through customs areas. As the cars had no legal registrations yet the men drove them along the dikes with a fictitious number plate on front of the first traveller and same on the rear on the last one! Sometimes an official customs vehicle was trying to overtake one or more of the Minors to get them off the road but usually ended up following them. But due to the narrow roads, the convoy did not stop until they safely behind the gates of the Inspection authorities, after arrival, all the customs could do was impose a fine, but the cars were safe and in time for the inspection. After inspection by the end of the day most of the cars were then driven to the appropriate office to get the Dutch registration number. By the third day at 08.30 the travellers were on the sales premises behind the fences of the Takken brothers compound ready for sale and the people were queuing outside were shouting ‘I want those three!’ or ‘I was first and that one’s mine’ within a couple of hours the 20 or so were sold!

These travellers were purchased at auction for around 350 Dutch guilders, they were then sold at 1750, however the Takken bothers soon realised that due to the low mileage and age of these vehicles that could charge more and were then selling the ex-BAOR travellers at 2270, all in all a good profit some 1800 Dutch guilders! The Takken brothers traded in Minors from 1974 up to 1979, a friend of René’s purchased an ex-BAOR traveller from them and an interesting piece of history in the glove box. He had found a permit in 3 languages English, French and Russian allowing the British officers Major Nicoll and Capt. Holt to drive from West Germany through to Soviet occupied territory in Berlin. The military registration of this one was 24 FK 30 and is confirmed as being a traveller that travelled behind the iron curtain! This event took place between 23rd and 28th February 1975, the journey starting in Helmstedt and finishing in the Soviet controlled section of Berlin. It is not known if this ex-BAOR traveller still exits?
Like their British counterparts they were finished in mid-Bronze green and in the 1970s would have been easily recognisable by the colour when originally sold off, in fact on occasions they were sold with the union jack div/sign still in place on the bonnet!

René was advised by one of the brothers that he had a ‘new old stock’ military 1098 cc engine complete with all auxiliaries, he was also advised that the engine had been cranked once a month, something that René still does to this day, as he purchased the engine for 1000 Dutch guilders. What is of interest is that the labels on the engine read ‘O.H.M.S.’ and ‘Lead Free 1976’ un-leaded all that long ago! The engine is finished in duck-egg blue with red fan blades, which was often the case with re-conditioned power units, it also carries the standard ‘military plate’ which covers what has been changed for example the size bearings and pistons etc…. it also gives the date of overhaul. What is a little strange about this motor, is that it is a complete unit with clutch, starter motor and dynamo all in place, but minus the carburettor!

Since 1986 René has owned a rare ex-RN traveller 75-HJ-16, its military number is unknown, the vehicle is black and was imported into Holland during 1975, it has had 5 previous keepers, one of them confirming that it was imported by the Takken brothers. The vehicle came complete with fire extinguisher and the rubber flooring, but no military plates, which is often the case with ex-Royal Navy vehicles. During a visit to the Takken brothers in his traveller one of them instantly recognised the vehicle and confirmed that he purchased it in England from an auction held on a Navy base. He went on to say, that she has travelled throughout the world on board of an aircraft carrier. The officers used the car for visiting local dignitaries in foreign ports as well as for their own pleasure. René has since restored this rare vehicle with many modifications, the car is a credit to him.

In Part 4 we look in-depth at the ex-BAOR travellers, part 5 covers some Military men with their Military Minors and in parts 6, 7 & 8 we look at the LCVs used by the various Government departments, such users being the Home Office and the Ministry of Agriculture & Fisheries. Many thanks are made to the following that have contributed to this article, Jacqueline Theuns, René Vinke, Jaap Noorman, Coba Van Hunen, Willem Bakker, Jan Halmans and Anton Visser
If you know of any ex-Ministry/Military Minors or LCVs used by any other Government departments please contact me via Minor Monthly, if you require details of the Minor LCV Register they can be obtained by contacting me via e-mail RussLCV@ClubMorris.co.uk or visit the Minor LCV Register’s website on www.minorlcvreg.tk I have also compiled a Military Traveller & ex Government LCV website at www.militaryminors.tk the Morris Minor Club Nederland can be located at www.morrisminorclub.nl/International.htm

© Russell Harvey

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