Highlights

• A charming and highly original example of this much-loved practical classic
• Thought to have been extensively stored and lightly used
• A low owner car with a mileage that can’t be verified but could well be original
• Complete with a cherished registration number of significant value
  
  

The Appeal

This example appears to be a very honest and original car. It is not a concours car, but it has excellent bones and wouldn’t need much to elevate it to that sort of standard. What it is, however, is a highly useable and practical British classic that can be run and enjoyed on a minimal budget.

The History and Paperwork

• This example rolled out of Cowley in the summer of 1957
• The chassis number reveals it to be from the series III production run 
• The prefixes reveal it to be a right-hand drive two door saloon
• They also reveal Ivory as its original paint hue
• The original owner appears to have retained the car right up until 1985
• The second owner kept the car until 2016 – a full 31 years
• In 2016 the MOT records document a mileage of around 32,900 miles
• The current owner acquired the car in 2022 to become just the fourth owner
• The numerous MOTs show miniscule mileage progression
• The earliest included from 1995 records a mileage of 31,962
• There is a good level of paperwork on hand
• This includes the V5 in the name of the owner
• This classifies the Minor as an Historic Vehicle
• As such the car is considered VED and MOT exempt in the UK
• Numerous earlier MOTs in hard copy are present
• The last recorded is advisory free from 2017 and documents 32,976 miles
• An early Haynes manual is also included
• There is documentation relating to the cherished number plate present
• This includes an auction estimate allocating a value of £2,500 to the plate
• An invoice is present from 2022 documenting a maintenance spend of £1,370
• Work included a clutch replacement and gearbox refurbishment
  
  

The Interior

• The interior appears to be highly original with no sign of retrimming
• The seats are covered in textured maroon vinyl
• This is stitched into vertical box pleats and ivory piping adorns the seat edges
• No splits, tears or area of significant wear were noted
• The front seats pivot forward to allow access to the rear seat
• The rear bench is identically trimmed and equally well presented
• The door cards and side panels are trimmed in matching vinyl
• The carpets are in a complementary hue and present very well
• They are edge bound and exhibit just the odd mark
• The light headlining is tightly fitted and clean and presentable
• The rudimentary dashboard is formed from body coloured painted steel
• Two lidded gloveboxes provide storage each side
• In the centre of the dash is the single, large gauge
• This is a combined speedometer and fuel gauge with in-built warning lights
• A handful of push/pull buttons are situated here also
• The original “banjo” style three spoke steering wheel is fitted
• Below the dashboard is a full width storage shelf
• Some of the vinyl to the leading edge of this appears to have lifted
• A push button radio is fitted below the dashboard on the driver’s side
• The capacious boot is split horizontally to form two compartments
• The luggage area is finished with a fitted rubber mat
• The lower compartment houses the spare wheel, tyre, tools and jack
• The spare wheel wears a brand-new tyre
  
  

The Exterior

• This example presents in its original hue of Ivory
• Given its thick and smooth condition it seems likely it has been previously resprayed
• The paintwork looks to be in a surprisingly good order throughout
• Likewise, the curvaceous bodywork
• The panel gaps appear tight and symmetrical for this vintage of car
• A thin maroon coachline is present on the extruded side strip
• The brightwork appears to be clean and shiny throughout
• Light lenses and cabin glass all appear original and in fine order
• All marque and model badges seem to be present and correct
• The Minor rides on a set of 14-inch steel wheels
• These are painted off-white and are generally well presented
• There are a few areas of flaking paint to one of the front wheels
• The wheels are shod with a matching set of Michelin radial type tyres
  
  

The Mechanics

• By the time of this Series III car the Minor used the 948cc A series engine
• This served to significantly improve the Minor’s performance
• Top speed increased from 63 to 75mph
• The 0-60mph time was slashed from close to a minute to around 30 seconds
• The gearbox boasted taller ratios, too, for more relaxed cruising
• A four-speed gearbox transferred the 37bhp to the rear wheels
• The Minor enjoyed a new clutch, gearbox refurbishment and service in 2022
• The current owner attests to the car running very well and pulling strongly
• The under-bonnet condition looks highly original
• The expected data plates appear to be present
• The inner panels and bulkhead look to be solid and clean
• The underside looks straight and well undersealed 
  
  

Summary