A MORRIS Minor which rolled off the Cowley production line almost 50 years ago is poised to become the most expensive car of its type in history.

The striking car was the millionth ‘Moggie’ and made the Morris Minor the first British model to break the million-units barrier.

The car emerged from its Oxford birthplace on December 22, 1960.

Forty nine years on, the restored ‘1 MHU’ – complete with lilac paintjob – is set to fetch up to £30,000 at a classic car auction on Sunday, November 8.

The vehicle was one of 349 special editions created to mark the production milestone.

Each car was finished in a striking purple colour, with luxurious leather interiors and chromed wheel trims, and were all waved off the production line by Alec Issigonis, who designed both the Morris Minor and the Mini.

The car was originally used by the Nuffield Group publicity department before being passed to the National Union of Journalists for use in a fundraising campaign for the British Red Cross.

After being given away in a televised raffle – to a girl who was not old enough to drive – the car was sold to a postman in Wales, painted red, and, in 1971, driven into a ditch.

The current owner, a Birmingham-based enthusiast, transported the sorry Minor on a trailer to his home, where it remained unrestored for two decades until Derek Smith, a senior lecturer in motor vehicle studies at Northbrook College in West Sussex, returned it to its former glory at a cost of £15,000.

The car will go under the hammer at an auction at the Royal Bath and West Showground in Shepton Mallet, Somerset next month, with a guide price of between £25,000 and £30,000.

Matthew Whitney of auctioneer Charterhouse said: “We are always fortunate to receive some interesting cars and motorbikes in the sale, but this particular Morris Minor is probably the best known Morris in the car world, as it is the millionth Minor off of the production line.”

Richard Bromell, a partner at Charterhouse Auctions, added: “We’ve had quite a lot of inquiries for it already. This is such an historically important car.

“It is expensive for a Morris, but, as a piece of historic motoring, it is worthy of its value. This is the millionth, and it has a lovely story to go with it.”

Visit charterhouse-auctions.co.uk or call 01935 812277 for details.

tairs@oxfordmail.co.uk