Morris Minor miracle! Grandfather is STILL driving the car he passed his test in 47 years ago… and his grandson is eyeing up the classic motor for himself

Grandpa Greg Hoar still drives in the beloved Morris Minor family where he passed his driving test in 1976.

Greg’s grandmother was 78 when she bought the classic British two-door car new in 1967 for £628 – £10,000 in today’s money.

Amy Hoar drove it for almost a decade until her eyesight deteriorated and she lent it to her 17-year-old grandson.

Greg, now 64, has held control of the vehicle for 47 years, racking up nearly 200,000 miles on road trips across Britain.

His wife of 41 years, Nicky, and their two children, Emily and Peter, also learned to drive in it.

Greg with the Morris Minor on a camping trip in 1977. This year, Morris Minor enthusiasts will hold a series of events to commemorate its 75th birthday.

Emily was brought home from the hospital as a baby in 1986 and Greg’s 14-year-old grandson Joseph is already ‘looking up’ for when he’s old enough to drive.

The ‘dove grey’ colored Morris, affectionately known as the Moggie, has been lovingly maintained by Greg and underwent a major restoration in 2017.

It was ‘stripped’ and rebuilt retaining its original casing, steering wheel and other parts.

Greg, a wealth adviser from Corfe Mullen, near Poole, Dorset, and Nicky still drive the Morris regularly.

He said it ‘puts smiles on people’s faces’ and is often approached by members of the public who remember having one.

Greg said: ‘My grandmother Amy Hoar was 78 when she bought the Minor in 1967 and drove it until she lost her sight.

“I was turning 17 so he let me learn to drive it and then I borrowed it indefinitely.

“The car holds so many memories as my fiancee, now wife Nicky, learned to drive it in 1981 and our daughter Emily was brought home from Poole Hospital as a baby in 1986.

‘Emily and our son Peter learned to drive in it and our 14 year old grandson Joseph already has his eyes on it.

“It must be quite unusual to find someone still driving the car they took their driving test in all those years ago.”

The Morris Minor on parade in 2000. Greg, now 64, has kept the vehicle for 47 years, racking up nearly 200,000 miles on road trips across Britain.

Greg’s wife, Nicky, by the Morris Minor with their newborn Emily in 1986

Greg and his wife at the Morris Minor. He has kept the car, named Moggie by the family. This included a major restoration in 2017.

Greg takes the Morris Minor out for a spin through the Dorset countryside. When he drives it, he says he is often approached by Minor’s former owners.

Greg driving the car in a rural setting. Morris Minor sales declined in the late ’60s as the Mini became a staple of celebrity and pop star driven popular culture.

Morris Motors produced more than 1.6 million Minors between 1948 and 1971, making them a favorite in British households.

They were described as “as English as roast beef and Yorkshire pudding and as reliable as rain in a Test match”.

But sales declined in the late ’60s as the Mini became a staple of celebrity- and popstar-driven popular culture.

Last year, Morris Minor owners were invited to drive their vehicles in the late Queen Elizabeth II’s Platinum Jubilee Concours.

This year, Morris Minor enthusiasts will hold a series of events to mark its 75th birthday.

Greg said: “The car holds as many memories as my fiancée, now wife Nicky learned to drive it in 1981 and our daughter Emily was brought home from Poole Hospital as a baby in 1986.”

The Morris Minor in 1979, three years after Greg passed his driving test

Greg with the Morris Minor on a camping trip in 1977

Greg’s grandmother, Amy Hoar. She drove the car for nearly a decade until her eyesight deteriorated and she lent it to her 17-year-old grandson.

Greg (pictured with his wife) said, “In the early years it was easy to get Minor parts from junkyards, and today there is a Morris Minor community.”

Gregon a walk in the field. He plans to keep the Minor from him as long as it continues to function.

Greg plans to keep his Minor as long as it’s still running.

He said: ‘In the early years it was easy to get Minor spare parts from junkyards, and today there is a community of Morris Minor.

“I have restored it every 10 years, most recently in 2017, but it still has many original parts, including the center frame.

‘It’s close to 200,000 miles on the clock and my wife and I still drive it weekly.

‘Every time you’re out and about, you put smiles on people’s faces and we’re approached in parking lots by people saying they had one or their family had one.

“The Minor is part of British heritage and we will keep it running for as long as it lasts.”

The Morris Minor in the snow in 1986. Last year, Morris Minor owners were invited to drive their vehicles in the late Queen Elizabeth II’s Platinum Jubilee Concours.

Morris Street scene 1967. Morris Motors produced over 1.6 million Minors between 1948 and 1971, making them a favorite in British households.

Greg’s grandmother, Amy Hoar. Greg said of the car, “It’s close to 200,000 miles on the clock and my wife and I still drive it weekly.”

Husband and wife Greg and Nicky Hoar with the Morris Minor. Greg, a wealth adviser from Corfe Mullen, near Poole, Dorset, and Nicky still regularly drive the Morris

Greg’s grandmother bought the classic two-door British car new in 1967 for £628

Husband and wife Greg and Nicky Hoar with the Morris Minor

Greg said the car “puts smiles on people’s faces” and is often approached by members of the public who remember owning one.

Greg drives his Morris Minor down a tree-lined country road