Personal Profile - John Crummie

John, affectionately known as JC is a founder member of CranMog and since the formation has only missed two Open Meetings - one due to a blizzard and the other a holiday in France. He joined the Morgan 4/4 Club during 1965, the name changed to The Morgan Sports Car Club during 1970. John is the longest serving Secretary of The Morgan Sports Car Club Limited. Over the years John has only missed a couple of National Committee Meetings or Annual General Meetings.

John’s first Morgan was a 1959 royal ivory +4 registration number WMJ 490, which he purchased during April 1966 from Eric White. This was Eric’s personal car; the colour had originally been beige with a green soft top and was re-sprayed royal ivory for Eric. John’s father christened the car “The Iron Horse”, starting a tradition, which John has kept up. John sold the car during 1969.

For the next 15 months John owned a 1962 white MGA MK II with black leather interior and hood, registration number 30 LAR. This car’s claim to fame, other than being owned by John, was that it was featured in the legendary Kellogg’s television commercial!

During May 1970 John purchased his second Morgan, a 1968 teal blue +4, 4 seater registration number KFY 524F with a TR4A engine. This was christened “Iron Horse II” and was sold during 1987.

For a while John was without a Morgan and owned a couple of Daimlers. The first a 1955 silver and black Daimler Conquest Century registration number OWP 696. The car was capable of producing 100 brake horsepower and achieve a top speed of 100 miles per hour hence the name Century. The next a 1966 Daimler V8-250 the body shape was that of a Jaguar MK II, this car was a ‘D’ registration and was midnight blue. After the Daimlers came a 1979 TR7 in silver, registration number JAC 93V.

During October 1991 the TR7 together with an antique clock and furniture was exchanged for John’s third Morgan, a 1960 cherry red 4/4 Series II registration number GSM 629 and it was christened “Eddie”. This car had an interesting history; the original registration number was 808 DNN prior to being exported to Indiana USA. This was followed by a move to Texas where between 1978 and 1983 it was rebuilt. It was imported back into England and re-registered and John sold the car in July at Mog’97 at Bath.

Now suffering severe withdrawal symptoms and money burning a hole in his pocket John set himself the task of finding a suitable replacement for “Eddie”. His quest came to a successful conclusion when August’s Miscellany landed on his door mat and John was able to purchase his fourth Morgan, a 1983 two tone grey 1600 4/4, 4 seater, registration number A213 MMJ. This car has was initially christened “Edwina” but John changed that to "The Pigeon".

John recently retired from the Surveyors Department of Northamptonshire County Council. This has enabled him to devote more time to peruse his interest and love of antiques. John can frequently be spotted, at the crack of dawn, at Antique Markets throughout the surrounding Counties.

One of the many anecdotes in John’s life occurred at a CranMog birthday party held many years ago at Towcester Racecourse. A professional Magician and Hypnotist were booked to provide the entertainment. During the evening John was hypnotised, (this was tested by sticking pins into the back of his hand) stiffened and levitated - seeing was believing.

In the autumn of 2005 John suffered a stoke and heart attack and was hospitalised for about 3 months. He is recovering well now but cannot drive The Pigeon and has had to retire from Centre Secretary, a role he successfully filled for us for 28 years.

One of the many jobs John undertook, as Secretary, was the publication of the Monthly Newsletter, which every CranMog member world-wide receives. John wrote the articles using the pen name of “Jacobus” - a 17th Century Latin form of James. This also tied in with his interest in 17th Century furniture plus the first three letters of “Jacobus” are his initials.

John is still commitment to The Morgan Sports Car Club Limited and in particular CranMog. His support was unprecedented and greatly appreciated by us all in CranMog. His contributions have enabled CranMog to grow and become the largest Centre peaking at over 200 families world-wide.

Before his illness, John could be seen around Towcester driving a white delivery van, a task he enjoyed immensely.

Richard Jordan

Quote, Unquote
JC has always been infamous for his... his... his JCisms. So "classic" are some of these that they need to recorded, if not written in stone. Click here to find out more