1966 Morris Minor – Project Profile

Where do you start when it comes to looking for your first classic? It would seem logical to suggest you buy something mint and restored, then you can have trouble free motoring. But with a classic like that, how do you learn? Classic cars are not just about the driving, they’re about the maintaining, too. You don’t need to be a master mechanic, but you need to have some sort of familiarity with how things work. Plus, by spannering, you get to know your classic better. If you go down the project route, you can even build your classic into the car of your dreams. And that’s why this 1966 Morris Minor makes for the perfect first toe dip into the world of classic motoring.

It’s still a hugely popular car in the classic car world, meaning parts are easy to find and not too expensive. Then you have all the clubs, the forums and the websites that exist to help you repair and maintain one. Insurance is cheap, too. If you want to go the other way, and modify this 1966 Morris Minor, you can do that should you wish, as there are many off the shelf items available to make it better. From seats to suspension to wheels to full-blown engine conversions, it’s all out there. Yes indeedy, this really is the perfect classic in many ways.

What is it? 

What we have here is a slightly tired, but ultimately honest example of some of Alec Issigonis’s finest work. Yes, before the Mini he created another hugely popular family favourite, represented here by this 1966 Morris Minor. Clever, compact, pleasant to drive, a joy to look at and simple to maintain, it was all things to all motorists. This one might look a little down at heel, but the seller assures that it’s a healthy runner and mechanically at least, does everything it should. The body is a little tired, but that’s where you come in. At a mere £2,500 this is also a mega, mega bargain.

Why is it a project? 

This 1966 Morris Minor is just a little bit… tired, bless it. According to the seller, it’s pretty on point mechanically and drives as it should. However, in the looks department, there is some work to do. The core structure is pretty good, though it has had some welding in the past and does apparently need a little on a section of one the sills. Going back to the looks, the panels look solid enough, but the paint is shot and the chrome has seen better days. Though we must admit, we kind of like the patina. It’s all present and correct, that’s the main thing. Badges, lights, trim, hubcaps are all there. The car even sits on a set of recent Bridgestone tyres. Nice. Inside, the red interior looks to be in decent condition, as does the headlining and so on. This is most definitely a DIY project, provided you have some space for it. There is no obvious ‘specialist’ work needed.

Five things to look for: 

1) Rust

It’s a Morris Minor, so rust is always a concern. Happily, replacement panels are readily available. So as long as you can use the sparkly spanner, you should be fine. Have a look at that issue with the sill, check the floors, especially in the boot. Check the seams, the inner wings and so on, too.

2) Trim

It all looks pretty good, both outside and in. However, when you’re stood in front of the car it will pay to make sure it’s all useable, especially if you are planning to repaint the car and bring it back up in a visual sense. If the trim is too far gone, finding replacement stuff is simple enough, but not always cheap.

3) Engine

The little A Series engine in this Minor is pretty bulletproof, but still do the usual check for leaks, fluids, cooling and so on. The good news is, if anything does need changing, the engine is as common as bread, so parts are but a click away.

4) Suspension

The suspension, especially at the front, was what set the Minor apart from its rivals. It’s not revolutionary today, but it is important in terms of how the car drives. Check all the joints and mountings, and the bushes and links. Replacement is pretty simple, but it’s good to know what’s needed before buying.

5) Electrics 

As with any old car, check the electrics. It’s a pretty simple system in the Minor, and isn’t prone to any typical failure per se. However, time means it may have dried out, or been nibbled by something small and bitey, or it might have been chopped about in the past to fit other electronic items.

What should you do with it?

If it were our money, we’d buy it, service the life out of it, sort the rust out underneath and then drive it as is. We like the patinated look, and it would make this 1966 Morris Minor usable, as you wouldn’t need to be paranoid about taking it out. But that’s just us. You could restore it, you could repaint it, you could modify it, you could drop a V8 in it – whatever you choose, it’ll be fun. But that is the joy of a starter classic.