Description
1955 Morris Minor Series II – Rare & Characterful “Oily Rag” Classic
A lovely old 1955 Morris Minor Series II 2-door saloon in black — full of charm and originality, with just the right amount of patina. Split windscreen, original interior, and a wonderfully honest “oily rag” condition that hasn’t been over-restored or messed about with.
Bought from Minor Parts of Oxford two years ago, and was a daily driver before that. These early Series IIs are now rare to find in running, largely original condition.
Good Points
* Upgraded Minor 1000 1098cc engine – far better performance than the original Series II unit
* Reconditioned gearbox fitted, with the correct long gear lever
* Runs and drives well (was in daily use before being laid up)
* Original registration and number plates
* Decent original interior, tidy and full of character
* New stainless steel exhaust system recently fitted
* Split windscreen and classic trafficator indicators (modern flashers fitted for safety)
* Lots of paperwork and service history
* Cheap running Series II – very usable “running restoration”
* Heaps of fun to drive, loads of charm and attention wherever it goes
Needs Attention
* Hasn’t been used this year due to family illness
* Will need a new fuel pump and battery to get it running again
* Tyres need re-inflating/ replacing
* Some welding required over the next couple of years – mainly rear wheel arches and front offside (front nearside was done last year)
* I was quoted around £1200 to complete and make it MOT-worthy
* Best to trailer it away, as it hasn’t been driven recently
(Note: these classics no longer require an MOT, so it can be enjoyed as-is as or as a rolling resto)
This is a rare, charming early Minor that hasn’t lost its soul — a perfect project for someone who wants a usable classic they can improve as they go. The 1098cc engine makes a big difference. It's a great little runner. Very sad to see it go. Cheap Series IIs like this don’t come up often, especially with original plates and paperwork.
£3500 open to offers
based near Alton / Basingstoke
Trail away and enjoy a little piece of living history.
