Description
For Sale - 1961 Morris Minor
A reliable example of the instantly-recognisable classic. It starts, runs and drives brilliantly and I have been using it as an almost daily driver over the summer. It has some lovely period features as well as some small upgrades that increase its usability. It has been great fun to own over the past two years, attracting many positive comments and conjuring up memories.
Mechanically good - although originally a 948cc, it's now fitted with a 1098cc engine. I believe that this was done relatively recently as the engine runs sweet and is set up very well. The gearbox changes nicely, the brakes are as good as can be expected and operate evenly, and the suspension points have all been kept greased.
It looks fantastic from a distance but the paintwork has rust coming around the seams and door bottoms which will need treatment at some point. It is solid structurally and underneath (floors are good). It has had some welding in the boot areas in the past but that is also solid. So I consider the rust formation to be superficial at this stage which means you can run it as is or "use and improve". As I have kept it garaged through the winters it hasn't deteriorated much in my time of ownership.
Good tyres all round.
Period features of note include:
- Trafficators (both working), gold 80 mph speedo, nicely finished metal dash, “clapping hands" wipers, “banjo" steering wheel, original back seat in good condition, all-original locks operating of the original key (number matches the heritage certificate!)
Upgrades include:
- Later 1098cc engine as described above.
- Electric fuel pump conversion.
- Temperature gauge.
- Modern stereo system (radio/ Bluetooth/ USB) neatly hidden in the glovebox.
- Modern front seats (much comfier).
- Rear inertia-reel seatbelts.
- Reversing and fog light.
It has been extremely reliable in my ownership, and recent work includes:
- Starter motor, water pump (along with cooling system flush/ fill), temperature gauge voltage regulator, service (oil/ filter and air filter), new battery.
History: The car was built and registered in 1961 and I have a heritage certificate to prove it. The original plate (YVJ 3) was removed and presumably sold in the mid-80s. It was issued an A-suffix plate which is annoying but I guess forms part of its story, and it has borne this since. It was also resprayed then, and attended some shows in the 90s. It then appears to have been off the road for a period, before in 2015 it underwent an overhaul and was regularly MOTed. The last MOT was in 2022 and it is now of course exempt due to age.
