To mark the centenary of the birth of one of Britain’s most celebrated car designers, Sir Alec Issigonis, the Heritage Motor Centre, Gaydon, is organising one of its largest rallies to date on Sunday 15 October.

This year is the centenary of Issigonis’s birth and what better place to celebrate this important date than the Heritage Motor Centre, which is home to a special Issigonis exhibition and a range of cars he designed, including the production models and a number of rare prototypes.

“This will be a rally with a difference,” claims John Bishop, Heritage Motor Centre’s Car Clubs and Rallies Co-Ordinator, who goes on to say: “We’re organising the biggest rally ever to bring together all his designs in one place. If you have an Issigonis car, please come and join us to honour the great man.”

Issigonis was the mastermind behind two of the most important British cars of the twentieth century; first the Morris Minor and then the Mini, which became a national icon and was voted this year as one of the top ten British icons on BBC2’s Culture Show.

The rally is open to all. Drivers of Issigonis cars will gain free entry to the show where dedicated parking will be available to them. Their passengers will enjoy reduced entry rates of adults £6, children £4 and under 5s free.

All derivatives and marques are welcome from the Austin 1100 to the Morris Minor. This also includes overseas versions and non-production designs, visit www.heritage-motor-centre.co.uk for details of the full list. The Centre is also offering a unique prize on the day to the participant who brings the widest variety of Issigonis-designed cars on the list.

The Rally opens at 10am and finishes at 5pm. The Centre offers a variety of outdoor activities for all the family including Go-Kart racing, Children’s Roadway and 4×4 off-road rides. Tickets also include access to the Museum. Show entrance fees: £8 adults; £7 concessions; £6 children (5-16 years) under fives FREE. The Heritage Motor Centre is situated in the Midlands, close to Junction 12 of the M40 between Warwick and Banbury. For more information log on to www.heritage-motor-centre.co.uk or telephone 01926 645120.

Source: BMW Press