Description
We're delighted to offer this stunning Morris Minor Traveller, a 'rarer' 'Deluxe' model built at the Cowley plant and registered to its first owner on the 8th May 1969. Having changed hands a number of times in her 55 years, the Traveller, in circa 2019, came into the hands of a Mr Abbot who took it upon himself to restore the car. Having sold a number of restored Minors & Travellers we know that the bills for restoration can soon mount to a considerable sum (we've seen restoration costs easily exceed £30K) and with a great history file, detailing parts purchased, we can tell that Mr Abbot spent well in excess of £10k on parts alone (we have invoices for nearly £8k excluding the ash frame which would cost circa £2k). One can only image the other costs incurred, for mechanical and bodywork repairs, plus a bare shell repaint.
A review of the file confirms the works included:
- Body stripped to bare shell, with axle and suspension all removed. Original white paintwork and underbody stripped, body work / condition assessed and any remedial repair works carried out using new panels from ESM Morris Minors
- All suspension components stripped, checked for wear and replaced with new as necessary and then rebuilt with all new bushes (many upgraded to polyurethane) / fixings etc..... please see under body within our walk-around video.
- All new ash frame supplied & fitted.
- Reconditioned engine, screw on filter upgrade, electronic ignition upgrade
- Negative earth & new dynamo.
- Rebuilt gearbox supplied by ESM.
- New clutch (Borg & Beck).
- Brand new braking system with upgraded brake servo conversion.
- Fuel tank stripped, resealed and all new fuel lines, new fuel pump.
- Rear axle stripped, checked and resealed with new bearings etc.
- New steering rack supplied by ESM.
- All new rubbers, seals and glass where needed.
- New lock set including ignition.
- Complete new wiring loom, all electrical components check / replaced.
- New lights, lenses / housings etc.
- New chrome trim plus stainless steel sill steps.
- New wider steel wheels with new tyres with stainless steel hub caps & beauty rings.
- New carpets including upgrade to carpet in boot area.
- New roof lining / sun-visors.
- New exhaust system.
- Body refinished in Iris Blue.
Needless to say with such a comprehensive restoration this Morris Minor Traveller presents to a very high standard indeed, one of the nicest we've offered, so much so that this wonderful example was snapped up by one of our customers earlier this year. Regrettably due to an unforseen change in their circumstance they're having to let 'Doris' go and so they reached out asking us for our help in finding her a new home, the car having been inspected, serviced and MOT, with this valid until 2025.
Often a weak point on many a Morris Minor rebuilds, we're delighted to see wonderful panel gaps, the detail in lining up the ash frame is great; to be honest it's quite probably better than when it left the production line! The Iris Blue bodywork is in fantastic condition too, the chrome and paint having a wonderful lustrous. On opening any door, the driver and passengers are met with a lovely original interior, the seats, door cards etc all remain in good condition, with just minor wear. The car has a new roof lining / sun-visors fitted along with new carpets and the eagle-eyed will have spotted that instead of the original vinyl boot trim with aluminium finishing strips this Morris Minor Traveller has received a fully carpeted boot retrim with wonderful ash batons a classy addition!
Mechanically this Morris Minor Traveller is a delight too. The engine starts easily and pulls sweetly through all gears, the Traveller will happily drive with modern traffic but to really enjoy this classic it's best to just sing along down the country roads and one can't help but smile especially with the 'waspy rasp' heard from the exhaust during gear-changes.
One of the nicest restored Morris Minor Travellers we've seen, the car comes with a great history file, her invoices for £0000's, workshop manual etc. A delight to drive, well cared for, easy to maintain and in beautiful condition this Morris Minor Traveller offers a wonderful opportunity to enjoy classic British motoring, we know if you see her, you'll fall in love with her too.
