Description
I bought this car in October 2023 from an owner who'd had it for 23 years. It had been parked in a dry garage since its last MOT in 2016. They had moved to the country and opted for a modern car.
I embarked on a sympathetic restoration to 'good driver and enjoyable' condition (just finished). It could have passed an MOT but, like most Morris Minors, it was a patchwork underneath. You can read what I've done to it on the Morris Minor owners club forum message board by looking under 'restoration projects' for '1965 four door - sympathetic resto'.
This is a car that's been updated over decades by previous owners. Their updates:
Riley 1. 5 brakes and a servo (it really does stop... not like most).
Powered washer bottle
New unleaded engine, duplex chain, balanced (still only done 3. 5k... badged 'Austin' but receipt is JHL, the Minor specialists)
Electronic ignition
Alternator.
Polybush suspension
I’ve added:
New three part sills.
Offside quarter floor.
Halogen headlights.
Brand new inertia seat belts front and back.
Alfa gtv rear seats.
Mini front seats on specialist Steve Philips bases.
Decent secondhand petrol tank and new pipe.
4x new Blockley MM tyres
New carpets
New rear wheel bearings
Repair of A posts, new closing panels
New rear brakes and cylinders, drums
New oil in engine, gearbox, differential
Replaced offside front and rear wings
Replaced cross member end
New door seals
A new alternator is on order as the current one has noisy bearings.
If someone wants original seats, then it’s still super simple to swap them in (I ditched the ones from this car as they were rank).
The car is booked in for MOT 19/ 6.
If a 'factory fresh' car is your thing, then this isn't for you. The doors have a few small blisters, the paintwork has age related defects.
If a car you can use and not worry about in the supermarket carpark is your thing, then you should take a look. This one is far better under its skin than most apparently perfect cars. Even the choke ratchet still works!This is an unusual car as it's received so many highly desirable upgrades, has an effectively new engine, modern comfortable seats, proper seat belts, completely new sills and many other body repairs - so can be enjoyed - yet leaves room for tinkering. If it was perfect, then it would be £9000!
