Description
This is a little cracker. With bills and receipts for over £19, 000 to include body restoration and full repaint by Charles Ware in 2012 and a comprehensive mechanical rebuild in 2017, this stunning Morris presented in Dark British Racing Green with Red interior is an absolute peach. Boasting full and interesting history as far back as the original supplying dealer, it further comes with wonderful provenance and with 55, 700 from new, what`s not to like! And unsurprisingly, it needs for nothing and drives as good as it looks. Perfect for the season ahead.
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 Morris was supplied new on 1st December 1965 through Smith and Hunter of Kensington High Street to a lady in Woking who evidently traded in her 1963 2-Door Saloon as part of the deal. An original Passport to Service and Continuation Book record regular servicing from first registration to 1980 (now 26, 607 miles) with maintenance by this point being undertaken by a local garage in Guildford. After around 20 years of ownership, the Morris was sold to a local gentleman who retained it for some 5 years before selling to another gentleman in Taunton, Somerset. Invoices from this period record regular servicing and notable work to include a full brake overhaul, new exhaust system and all new ignition parts. In 1995, the car moved back to London where it remained for the next 10 years mainly in the ownership of a Russian lady. During this period, it was used for charitable events and sported a hand-painted dragon mural undertaken by London artist, Andrew Hogan. By 2006, the Morris had moved to Oxfordshire and sold in November on eBay for £900 to a gentleman living on Putney Heath, South West London. According to the advert, the car was described as being in “excellent condition with just a few rust patches and excellent underneath” and was only sold due to the lady owner requiring something more modern as a commuter for her new job. Evidently used regularly by the new owner around 2, 000 miles were covered over the following 5 years culminating in a visit to Charles Ware`s Morris Minor Centre in Bristol in October 2011 for a full appraisal. Now with a recorded 48, 000 miles, the MMC described the car as “an excellent original” although in need of light restoration and repainting. Work duly started almost immediately with an interior strip-out, minor repairs to chassis, sills and inner wings, replacement steel front wings, all new suspension, full braking system overhaul with servo fitted, new clutch and water pump and ultimately a full engine and glass-out repaint in Dark British Racing Green. The interior was subsequently refitted with all new rubbers and the Morris freshly serviced and MoT`d. In February 2012, the car was collected and invoice for £8735 paid. At this point, the Morris was evidently gifted to the owner`s son, also a resident of West London and the car has remained in his ownership to this day. In 2017 and now showing 52, 500 miles, the car was taken to Michael Hibberd, a Rolls Royce and Bentley specialist in Langley, Berkshire for mechanical appraisal. He recommended and subsequently undertook a full engine rebuild (all new pistons, cam bearings, springs and guides with associated re-bore and skim) with Duplex, timing gear and chain conversion, replacement oil and water pumps and all new ancillaries. Another invoice for £6478. Around 12 months later and with 1500 miles covered, the car returned to Hibberd for a full check-over and service (£1611). Over the past 8 years, the Morris has enjoyed a very quiet life in Putney covering little over 1600 miles. Notable work over this period has included a full brake overhaul in 2022 (complete, strip and reassemble with all new cylinders) and general servicing. Since acquiring the car, we have undertaken a detailed on-ramp health check and a full polish.
The car presents just as can be seen in the photographs. It is simply stunning. Some 14 years after the professional restoration and repaint, it still gleams, displaying a top-quality paint finish as would be expected from one of the leading marque specialists. Other than a couple of small age-related blemishes (the odd touched-in chip) it really looks the part and is complimented by excellent chrome, trim and glass. Open the drivers` door and the contrasting Red interior (believed to be the mainly original) is equally remarkable. Seat covers and door cards are superb whilst Red carpets and Cream head-lining, both replaced within recent years, are similarly very good. The dash boasts one or two desirable upgrades including a hidden radio/ CD in the glovebox with discreet pod speakers, a 12V auxiliary point and fabulous wood-rimmed steering wheel (the original comes with the car). Turn the key and the little A-Series fires immediately into life setting down very quickly off-choke to the ever-endearing “parp” associated with the model. On the road, Minors never fail to make me smile and this is no exception. It drives just as one would hope with sprightly performance, a smooth and precise gearchange, light clutch and excellent brakes. On a bright Winter`s day, we went for a run across the West Dorset Downs and it was an absolute joy: quite possibly one of the nicest Minors I have driven in years. The little car is happy cruising at 45-50 MPH 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 Morris comes with extensive history to include the supplying dealer literature, original stamped-up Passport to Service (2), considerable bills and receipts to include work undertaken by Charles Ware and Michael Hibberd, photographs over the years, original supplying dealer Drivers Handbook, Workshop Manual, a vast quantity of MoT Certificates from 1980 to 2019 and a current V5C.
A beautifully restored example with wonderful provenance.
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. We are happy to take a reservation fee to hold a vehicle but as a dealership, we don`t operate a structured distance selling scheme.
