Description
A beautiful genuine example of a popular affordable classic. Built in 1955 this Morris Minor Series II, is the model between the MM and the 1000 Series. The Series II had the shortest production window of the 3 models and was manufactured from 1952 to 1956. The Series II is renowned for its split windscreen, small rear window and high rear wheel arches. This 2 door saloon is in excellent condition with a red interior, a red hand painted coachline and black paintwork that is so mirror-like it’s hard to avoid being in the photograph. A real joy to own and fun to drive. Whenever you give it a run out it never fails to put a smile on your face and those that spot its gleaming black paintwork.
Bought new in May 1955 from Bristol Street Motors by Mr T A Gill of Blackburne Road, Hall Green, Birmingham. From 1955 to 1980 the car was garaged at Blackburne Road, Hall Green until Mr Gill passed away and his wife, Mrs E Gill, sold the Morris Minor privately to my Dad. My Dad bought the car in May 1980 for my 18th birthday present and the car moved to Scribers Lane, Hall Green, Birmingham. The car has had 3 registered keepers from new, Mr Gill, my Dad and me.
My brother and I used the Morris Minor regularly for under a year and it was fully restored between 1981 and 1985. In April 1986 my wife and I used it as one of our wedding cars and in 1987 we moved to London. From 1987 until the noughties the car moved between garages in Birmingham, Chesterfield and Matlock and finally to our current address in Two Dales, Derbyshire.
Great care has been taken to keep this Morris Minor Series II original. The car still has its original trafficators and there are no seat belts. Where necessary parts have been assembled from original and new components to maintain their authenticity, e. g. the rear boot badge is a new chrome badge but with the original reflector and the bonnet badge is new but with the original enamel logos. For safety, the front split screen is laminated but this isn’t visible to the eye and the car has a stainless steel exhaust. There is a lever arch folder containing everything about the restoration and all the receipts.
The original tool kit, parking lamp and starting handle are complete - in 1955 a start button couldn’t be trusted.
Due to lack of use the car has been put back on the road twice, once in the noughties and again in the 2010s. It is now used occasionally to keep it in good running order but never in the wet and is always garaged and covered.
The original warranty certificate, service book and owner’s manual are included and everything relating to my ownership is available, e. g. registration certificates, vehicle tax notices, SORN declarations, MOT test certificates and results, and of course all receipts post the 1981-85 restoration including the 2 times the car was put back on the road in the noughties and the 2010s.
The car is 71 years old and so no longer requires an MOT, nonetheless, the last time it was MOT’d was in October 2016.
When overhaling the engine it was noticed that the car has a 948cc engine as opposed to an original 803cc, which I can only assume was fitted by the previous owner prior to 1980. This is declared during classic car insurance renewals but has never been considered material as the increase in BHP is only from 30 to 37, a huge 7 BHP.
After buying me the car for my 18th birthday in 1980 my Dad passed away later the same year making the car extra special to me. My Dad liked the car because his first car was a Morris Minor, its mileage was very low, it had one owner from new and its registration was ROV 38. Our family has always been interested in personalised registration plates and ROV 38 is pretty close to ROVER. ROV 38 is on Retention and is available for sale by separate negotiation. The original pressed aluminium NIMO registration plates are also available.
The Specialised Car Cover, 2 boxes of original parts and a bumper are also available by separate negotiation.
The frame of restoration photos is shown for info but excluded from the sale.
