Morris Minor Owners Club

So I got this (see picture) with my Morris (1958), it was loose in the glove compartment, it has double sided tape on one side so I assume it goes on the circular area on the inside left side of the glove compartment door.

It is a small "box", it will open, I thought it might be a makeup mirror maybe but there is no trace of any reflective material inside it, just a transparent lid, any idea what it is ? cannot find anything in the user manual about it either.

Looks like a base that came with my GPS for use with a suction cup mount. Many more modern cars have textured nonmagnetic interior surfaces that won’t grip by either method. In my previous KIA I filled a musket cap tin with lead shot and put the weighted base in the cup holder with the suction cup.

Ok, that is possible, I guess nothing that belongs there then, I thought it might be something that was supposed to be there as it does look very old and scratched

Well that matching shape inside the glovebox door isn't standard AFAIA, it was just plain metal ....

The inside of the lid as pictured would normally have a solid insert that finished flush with the edge, and there would be a chrome strip round the outside. As noted, the round feature is ot standard.

Hiding spot for a spare key perhaps? Although I would think the glove box would be the first place a thief would search.
What are these tax discs I keep reading about over there?

Physical UK road tax discs were officially abolished and stopped being issued on October 1, 2014, after 93 years of use. Vehicle tax is now entirely digital and tracked electronically via GOV.UK Vehicle Tax using automatic number plate recognition.
We have to pay an annual Vehicle Excise Duty a government tax to use a vehicle on the road. This becomes free when vehicle is 40 years old (classic car) but still has to be applied for annually.
To obtain VED you must have valid insurance and MOT (an annual safety inspection certificate) again except if over 40 years old.
The tax disc in its day had to be display in the windscreen on passenger side.

simmitc wrote: ↑Fri Aug 07, 2026 10:13 pm The inside of the lid as pictured would normally have a solid insert that finished flush with the edge, and there would be a chrome strip round the outside. As noted, the round feature is ot standard.

That Lid version didn't come in until '59.

I researched the timeline for glovebox lids, going from the parts applicability in the Parts Lists.

Mine October 1962 series 5 and I have lids on both sides . They look both original fitment.

Mine is a 1965 with the glovebox lid only on the passenger side.
I always thought the opening lid on the drivers side a bit odd and awkward to open/close with the steering wheel in the way.
Particularly as the magnetic catches age and the lids can pop open uninvited at a moments notice.

moggiethouable wrote: ↑Sun Aug 09, 2026 2:38 pm Mine is a 1965 with the glovebox lid only on the passenger side.
I always thought the opening lid on the drivers side a bit odd and awkward to open/close with the steering wheel in the way.
Particularly as the magnetic catches age and the lids can pop open uninvited at a moments notice.

Berni's illustration shows yours will be post facelift so no lid drivers side. Do you have key start and silver around the speedo like his picture.
What magnetic catch? MIne are spring catches and the drivers side has never popped open despite the potholes.

No magnets on mine either, it has a spring catch and it will not open for anything unintended.

The post-Oct '64 lids on the passenger side did have a magnet to keep the lid shut.

Bill_qaz wrote: ↑Sat Aug 08, 2026 10:48 am Mine October 1962 series 5 and I have lids on both sides . They look both original fitment.
20260131_150444.jpg

Have you checked your car number against the Parts List?

Now I'm back from holiday, I just checked my references, the Parts List and Ray Newell's Original Morris Minor.
Ray's book credits these part numbers to Feb '59 and Nov '61 respectively.
But we do know that strange things happened in the crossover from S3 to S5, and of course anyone could have fitted doors in the past unless you've always had the car...

'Finisher' being the Chrome surround for the glovebox door.
.

Hi Berni my cars build date is October 1962 4 door deluxe chassis 991*** From the Gaydon archive so later than chassis numbers on your parts list
No proof but the lid looks very original fit with no obvious changes and nothing in the comprehensive records that came with it. But we will never know and it's of no consequence just interest.

Worth noting that Bernie's glovebox timeline pics contain an error with the SII, which shows exactly the same pic as the 1963 Minor 1000 open glovebox! The SII update glovebox, although open, certainly did not have a chrome finisher....

Bill_qaz wrote: ↑Sun Aug 09, 2026 3:35 pm

moggiethouable wrote: ↑Sun Aug 09, 2026 2:38 pm Mine is a 1965 with the glovebox lid only on the passenger side.
I always thought the opening lid on the drivers side a bit odd and awkward to open/close with the steering wheel in the way.
Particularly as the magnetic catches age and the lids can pop open uninvited at a moments notice.

Berni's illustration shows yours will be post facelift so no lid drivers side. Do you have key start and silver around the speedo like his picture.
What magnetic catch? MIne are spring catches and the drivers side has never popped open despite the potholes.

Yes thats it, no lid on the drivers side, I prefer that as I can get to the packet of chocolate mice easier.
And yes its a key start.
Also I have fitted duotone seat covers and door cards in blue and cream which were stopped in 1964.
I just thought they looked great and really enhance the interior.
Otherwise it is completely standard, even down to the positive ground.

myoldjalopy wrote: ↑Mon Aug 17, 2026 10:37 pm Worth noting that Bernie's glovebox timeline pics contain an error with the SII, which shows exactly the same pic as the 1963 Minor 1000 open glovebox! The SII update glovebox, although open, certainly did not have a chrome finisher....

Well spotted, you're correct, speaking as a update SII owner myself

I have a nice, I assume aftermarket plastic glove box that I bought in the US ages ago. I don’t see any way of stuffing it thru the opening. Is there a chance it could be “offered up” thru the large circular open below if the wiring and heater hoses could be rerouted?

59Elva, Are these plastic glove boxes a simply solid enclosed box with just the one side open - no split on the top? I recall they were made in California and I have a set installed. The left one is a tighter fit than the right one being larger. To install align it perpendicular to the dash with the open face outward. It may take a push to get it through the hole. Once through it can be rotated and pushed over the flange. The left one is secure but the right one can slip off easily. A rear support would help. The original rear support is too short to work. You might be able to go through the large round hole, but be open to try many approaches and you may need to remove some obstacles. With more obstacles remove coming up behind the speedo is another option if you don't have the early braces from the lower edge of the dash to the bulkhead just under the bonnet.