Who doesn’t love a Morris Minor, especially a convertible? They always exude charm with a friendly face and are a popular starter classic or indeed only classic. A car to be used and enjoyed with the advent of Spring and Summer.
In Trafalgar Blue with blue-grey (light blue) interior and pale vinyl hood this is a striking looking car which will always stand out in a crowd. A conversion from a two-door saloon, this has the full-length box section chassis strengthening and added in plates under the facia, so has been done correctly. Where done properly, these replicas are often an improvement on the originals in terms of rigidity.
The supporting paperwork indicates that, despite its Northampton registration number, the car has been owned in Scotland since at least the early 1990s, perhaps earlier, and has been local to us for well over twenty-five years now. The current owner has a file of invoices including every MoT certificate for all years from 1992 onwards (mileage 36,573) to date, plus invoices for a replacement radiator as well as service items and all work connected with any issues arising from MoTs such as brakes in 2021. The papers also attest to the low mileage and the fact that the car has had sparing use in that time. Nonetheless, despite the fact it doesn’t require one, it has a current MoT (two modest advisories). It drives like a Minor should in all gears and stops well. Included in the sale is a small collection of Minor-related books, manuals, etc (see photo).
The bodywork is very presentable being only lightly patinated with the odd mark here and there but nothing serious, it is sound underneath with indications of a small amount of welding and good all over underseal, slight dimpling on the brightwork and decent wheels. The boot is generally clean and tidy although the inside of the boot lid paintwork is flaking – not visible from outside of course – and a spare wheel, jack and brace are all present in their separate compartment. The engine bay is tidy enough but would benefit from a few hours’ cleaning if it is intended to be displayed. The matching interior is in very good condition as is the hood.
This Minor sports the 1098cc higher compression engine and stronger gearbox and better brakes introduced in the early sixties. These improved acceleration, top speed and the ability to get up hills, as well as stopping down the other side. It retained the excellent handling qualities which had been noted from the start of the Minor series, albeit not up to the standard of the later designed Mini or 1100 series cars. But that would be to miss the point of the Minor which, especially in convertible form, provides reliable and charming transport within its limitations. This car also comes with the larger front and rear indicator clusters and inertia reel seatbelts for reassurance. Other changes in the late cars were key-based ignition (replacing the antiquated pull starter), reinstatement of the passenger glove compartment lid, a “safety” steering wheel and revised seating and carpet combinations. Selling at a price of £516 6s 3d (both saloon and convertible), this seems ludicrously cheap in today’s money, yet it was more expensive than the basic and de Luxe Minis.
With its impeccably substantiated thirty-year MoT history and low mileage this is one not to miss for those summer outings.
Chassis no: M/ASS/1224201
Engine no: AJPMH88580
MoT to May 2023 (no advisories)
Only 40,900 miles
PRICE £11,850
