Description
A pretty example with a nice story. Presented in ever popular Trafalgar Blue with Light Blue interior, this lovely 2-Door Saloon benefits from supporting paperwork documenting both considerable mechanical and cosmetic maintenance over almost 40 years and yet has remained largely original. As such, don`t expect a fully restored show car but a truly loved example that has been cared for, maintained and enjoyed as Issigonis would have intended.
A classic of automotive design, the Morris Minor was a product of Sir Alec Issigonis`s leadership and went into production in 1948 with a run spanning 23 years. The first British car to sell over one million units, it was available as either a 2 or 4-door saloon, convertible (Tourer), estate (Traveller) and in small commercial form as a van or pick-up. Issigonis wanted to create a practical, economical and affordable car that was easy to drive and its popularity today only goes to prove that the brief was met. From 1962 onwards, the Minor had developed to earn its own development number - ADO59 - with engine capacity increased to 1098cc, stronger gearbox, bigger drum brakes and revised interiors.
Our car was registered in Surrey in February 1967 and whilst little of known of its early history, by the mid-1980`s, was residing in Wandsworth as a daily driver for a local businessman. Bills and receipts from this period record a replacement gearbox and engine, rebuilding of front suspension, replacement of track rod ends and overhaul of the braking system. Bills go cold after 1994 and the paper-trail reappears some 20 years later with the Morris now living in Somerset. After some minor mechanical fettling including a new radiator, coil and ignition parts, the car is evidently sold on eBay as a running project in grey primer needing some “finishing touches”. This was in January 2016. The lucky bidder was a gentleman in Southampton and so began a 12-month rolling project to bring the car back to scratch. Notable work included a fresh repaint in the original factory colour of Trafalgar Blue with a new wing piping, the replacement of the headlining, new mirrors, new Navy carpets, all new ignition parts, badges, hubcaps and headlight peaks, an overhaul of the braking system with new master cylinder and wheel cylinders and replacement window rubbers. In May 2024, the Morris was sold again to a gentleman in Poole who continued to tinker with the car replacing the exhaust system and rebuilding the carburettor. Since acquiring the car, we have done very little but undertake a full health-check and polish it.
The Morris appears as seen in the photographs. Both bodywork and Trafalgar Blue paint are in excellent shape with just a few, very minor, age-related blemishes whilst the original chrome polishes up well despite some minor pitting. Inside, the contrasting Light Blue interior with Navy carpets is in super condition with excellent newly replaced headlining, tidy dash and door-cards. Turn the key and the ever-eager A-Series spins into life quickly settling down off-choke to that lovable Minor “parp” from the newly replaced exhaust. On the road, Minors never fail to make me smile and this is no exception. It drives just as one would hope with steady performance, a typically notchy gearchange, light clutch and excellent brakes. On a rather dull Winter`s day, we went for a run across the West Dorset Downs and it was an absolute joy. The little car is happy cruising at 40-45MPH all day and more when required and is so easy to drive. No surprise that the Minor remains so popular today and has a strong Club following.
The car comes with a large file of bills and receipts from 1986 to the present day, old MoT Certificates and tax discs, a current V5C, Haynes Manual and Workshop Manual. The Morris is registered as Historic and is naturally both MoT and road-tax exempt.
A well-loved and recently recommissioned example of a popular British classic.
Shore Classics is based on the West Dorset coast within easy proximity of both Weymouth and the County town of Dorchester. As classic and vintage dealers, we offer full brokerage facilities. So if you require some help and guidance with selling your classic car or motorcycle, just give us a call today.
