Mini Aceman SE JCW 2025 review: snapshot

Growing up in country NSW meant that for David Morley, a car (and a licence to go with it) wasn’t optional; it was an absolute necessity if the pursuit of freedom was ever going to be realised. And so began a lifetime of messing about with cars and motorcycles. The metal and rubber soon opened up the possibilities for travel and adventure, and Morley has managed to combine both the machinery and an atlas to good use, seeing the world in the process and almost always managing to avoid being detained by whichever authorities were lurking. Eventually the lure of making a living from thrashing other people’s cars became too strong, and Morley moved to the big smoke of Melbourne where he scored a job on Car Australia magazine. After finishing Year 12, he also studied the workings of motor vehicles at TAFE level and built up a decent working knowledge of his own cars by constantly breaking them. A freelancer now for more than three decades, and a motoring journalist for four, Morley happily concedes that he’s been native too long to ever return to a desk job. And, for that, other office workers should be thankful. Titles Morley has worked for include Motor, Car Australia, Street Machine, Wheels, Unique Cars, The Age, RACV's Royal Auto, Drive and, of course, CarsGuide, and he has authored several books on his favourite subject. Taking up space in the Morley garage right now, his 1972 Valiant Charger continues to refuse to be tuned, while his almost equally ancient LandCruiser has been to every State and Territory bar Tassie (and then, only because the snorkel isn’t long enough). Featured Publications Motor Car Australia Street Machine Wheels Unique Cars The Age RACV's Royal Auto Drive CarsGuide