By Bernard Egan December 14 2011

Gladys is a delightful green Morris 1000, who according to June McGregor seems to have a habit of finding her owners.

June should know, she and her late husband Gordon owned Gladys for quite a few years.
Gladys came into the McGregor family after Gordon, who always liked cars decided he would like to get a special one.
A Morris 1000 seemed an ideal choice partly because son Struan's first car was a "Morrie" and he has owned several since.
Struan says he still recalls the day he, his Dad and his late brother Gordon set off to Christchurch to look at a Morris 1000 which was for sale.
It turned out to be Gladys, but the deal couldn't be done until the previous owners, who were understandably proud of their car, were satisfied Gladys was going to a good home.
They soon realised that was the case, and Gladys came to Ashburton.
Over the years Gordon did some renovation work on the car, and he and June enjoyed using it around town.
In fact they and Gladys were well recognised.
Occasionally the previous owners checked up on Gladys.
Like many of us Gordon and June were avid fans of "Open All Hours" in which Arkwright's fiancé nurse Gladys Emmanuel drove a Morris 1000.
Arkwright was of course brilliantly portrayed by Ronnie Barker.
Ironically the McGregors bought the car from a nurse named Gladys, whose husband's name is Ron.
Some years ago Gordon and June McGregor and Scott and Mel Kilworth became neighbours.
The Kilworths liked seeing Gladys next door, and it was especially significant for Mel who had learnt to drive in her father's Morris 1000 van.
One day after Gordon had stopped driving Mel noticed the McGregors taking photos of Gladys.
They told her these were to advertise the car for sale.
Mel had often thought if the opportunity ever arose she would like to own Gladys, so she plucked up her courage and with the feeling somehow or other Gladys was giving her a nudge in the right direction, Mel asked if she could buy her.
The McGregors were only too happy.
The Kilworth children love Gladys, and often ask if they ride in her in peference to the family's modern vehicles.
Mel not only loves driving Gladys, but enjoys being approached by people interested in her.
After all Gladys is a bit of a flirt!
We are not supposed to mention a lady's age, but Gladys was born in 1959 and because she has chosen owners who care for her she is looking great.
June McGregor and her family are delighted Gladys has found another good home where she lives in the style to which she is accustomed.
Sometimes June even babysits Gladys for her neighbours.
As June McGregor said, Gladys has a way of finding her owners.
This time she found an owner closer by and its obvious Gladys is very happy to be part of Mel and Scott's family and they are of course delighted with her.

Pictured: June McGregor and Mel Kilworth; inside Jacob, Poppy and Joseph Kilworth. Lu Lu Kilworth was absent from the photo, but also loves Gladys

Photo Johnny Houston