Morris Minor Series II and 1000
Posted: 11:29am, 30 April 2007
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FOR Cheap, characterful, practical
classic. Mechanically simple
AGAINST Propensity to rot from within.
Low values make restoration uneconomic
Ease of ownership Exceptional parts availability, The right car for you Latest is best, with the Series III 1098cc saloons (1962-1970) most suitable for everyday use. The desirable wood-framed Travellers have load-carrying ability. MM models (pre-1952 and also called lowlights) have quaint Art Deco-like dashboards but their 918cc side-valve engines make them slow. Convertible Tourer versions are the most coveted. Beware Rust in the internal structures, particularly around the rear spring hangers and front chassis legs. Rotten woodwork on the Traveller (it costs around £2000 to refurbish). Tired side-valve engines and front suspension. Noisy gearboxes and a tendency to jump out of gear. Converted saloons being passed off as Tourers (pre-1959 Tourers have a C as the second letter in the chassis number, later cars have an MAT prefix). Are they easy to buy? Couldn’t be easier – nearly a million and a half were made. Says specialist Charles Ware of the Morris Minor Centre (01225 315449): ‘Ninety per cent of Minors for sale need £1500-2000 spent on the underneath.’ Go for a drive A live axle and soft springing means primitive handling, although the rack and pinion steering has a light but direct feel. Standard braking is barely adequate in modern traffic. Interiors have ample space. Can I use it every day? Definitely, but you’ll enjoy it more if you upgrade the brakes, preferably with a disc conversion (£600), and replace the dynamo with an alternator (£90). Other popular upgrades include a 1275cc engine (£1400) and a five-speed gearbox (£900). A telescopic damper conversion will improve the handling. What will it cost to run? Next to nothing if you get your hands dirty or around £150 a year, with another £200 for ongoing repairs, to pay a specialist. Minors need servicing every 3000 miles. Parts are cheap and all models need an unleaded conversion (around £200). Specialist support Any competent mechanic can look after a Minor. The Morris Minor Owners’ Club (www.morrisminoroc.co.uk) has more than 14,500 members. See also: Original Morris Minor by Ray Newell (ISBN 1 870979 43 5). To tell us about your ownership experiences, click the 'Add comment' button below Words: Glen Waddington Pictures: Classic Cars archive |
 Morris Minor SII and 1000, 1948-1971, 803-1098cc four cylinder, 30-48bhp, 62-78mph, £350 (rough SII saloon) – £7000 (perfect traveller) 
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