A unique model of the Mosquito – the forerunner of famous British car the Morris Minor – is being sold by a man whose father helped to design it.
The sole surviving example of the ‘narrow bodied’ prototype Mosquito, dating back to 1943, will be sold at auction alongside a 1956/7 large-scale factory model of the classic Mini.
The models have been treasured for decades by David Daniels, 82, of Swanmore, Hampshire, whose father, Jack Daniels was a close associate of Sir Alec Issigonis, the British car engineer and designer behind both cars.
Such was Jack’s contribution to the motoring industry as a development engineer, after his death at the age of 92 in 2004, The Times and The Telegraph ran obituaries. The latter said that, without Daniels, Alec Issigonis would never have brought the Morris Minor or the Mini Minor on to our roads.
The Mosquito prototype, which has an estimate of £2,500-£3,000, and the model of a Mini, which has a guide price of £750-£1,000, will be sold at Derbyshire’s Hansons Auctioneers on November 23.
Mr Daniels, who was an Austin apprentice and worked in the motor industry as an area sales manager before his retirement, said: “I’m 82 now and have no-one to leave these models to, so I hope they’ll go to someone who will value them.”
Charles Hanson, owner of Hansons, said: “For any lover of British motoring history these two model cars have to be the ultimate wheels to own. They are important historical examples of British car design and engineering and are worthy of a museum.
“The Morris Minor served British families well for decades. Though Issigonis is best known for the development of the Mini, it’s said he was most proud of the Morris Minor. He considered it to be a good car most working families could afford.”
David Daniels said: “The Mosquito was the code name given to prototype vehicles which Morris Motors Ltd started to develop during the war years.
“The metal scale model I am selling, dating from 1943, embodies the principle ideas from that period for the production vehicle which was launched in 1948 at the Earls Court Motor Show in London as the Morris Minor. Some 1.6 million Morris Minors were sold during a 22-year production run.
“Features on the model which carried through to production included the bulbous front wings and the distinctive bonnet. The similarity of this early concept model to the eventual production vehicles is remarkable.
“The model’s unique for several reasons. Firstly, because none of the full-scale experimental prototype vehicles survived and, secondly, because it is the sole surviving example of what is termed the ‘narrow bodied’ prototype.”
Mr Hanson said: “Jack, and now his son David, have owned this important piece of British motoring history for decades. Along with the Mini scale model also offered for sale, it has featured in many exhibitions and been the subject of talks and lectures for years.
“Issigonis and Jack Daniels were both involved in the design of the Mini which entered production in 1959. The model offered for sale is a pre-manufacture design prototype of the iconic Mini.”
“It’s a reminder of a bygone age when the Mini was the car of choice for people from all sections of society in Britain and around the world. The Mini lives on in other guises but the model being sold represents the original vision of Alec Issigonis – a small car for the masses.”
The Mosquito/Morris Minor and Mini prototypes will be sold at Hansons Auctioneers, Heage Lane, Etwall, Derbyshire, on November 23. To find out more, email [email protected] or call 01283 733988.
