Split screen question (about repairs)

[53buick]

Hi All,
It seems I am a magnet for rust and I have just been offered a 1953ish split screen morris minor.
It has been sat on the garage forecourt for 6 years awaiting work and the owner has given up and handed it, with the keys, to the garage.
They want to recoup the storage fee's and have decided to let it go.
It seems totally original and needs a pair of rear chassis legs, complete new floor front and rear, new cross-member and repairs to the front legs.

So, in my opinion, everything from the sills (also rusty) down but the body is good.
it is not a low-light but the one after that, I didn't open the bonnet but he said they drove it around the yard 4 years ago.
It is on the new log book so can be put on the road fairly easily (paperwork wise)....

What does the team think?
Walk away, it isn't worth it?
Are split screens worth restoring or just another morris?

I already have 2 travellers to do and my Buick but I hate to see a car in distress when it is fairly rare (i guess this is as I don't see many split screens around).

Thoughts please?

[MoggyTech]

Well you have your hands full as it is, but I suspect you are like me, and just don't want to see any half decent Moggy getting scrapped. For me the split screens have that little extra bit of character.

One down side, is spares for the older cars are more expensive than the run of the mill 'modern' Moggies.

Not an easy resto granted, as it sounds like the entire underneath needs replacement panels/chassis legs.

[bigginger]

I vote for saving it, bit then I'm a sucker for hopeless causes
a

[callyspoy]

i'm a defo save it, i guess its an early series II(same as mine) and they really are quite attractive, gives me goosebumps ya know! haha! but on a serious note, they are great!

[53buick]

So if I said he wants £200 for it, then your comments would be?

I fell in love with the interior, not so keen on the grille but the whole car is cute and yes, the whole underside is shot.
I did a 71 ex police car 3 years ago for my wife but when i spent 2 months welding the underside and rolled it over onto its wheels she said "where will the pushchair go?"
so, I sold it for £200!!!!
That is now on the road in Newport, Gwent...bless it...

I am not into making money, or selling number plates but the fact it is an old car that may end up crushed hurts a little....

So the floor pan is different then?
What are the major differences?
I was also told it is an 803cc, is that a flat head?

[Welung666]

I've said buy it and save it but if you'd seen my driveway you'd understand why I said that Is he giving it to you? If you don't have the room I can make room

[callyspoy]

hang on a second!!!!!! you don't like the grille???!!!

[NZJLY]

I vote for a re-power, using a donor car graft the moggie shell on

[steve4063]

£200 for a saloon that needs lots of work is a lot of money
i'd try and get it for nearer £100
your likely to spend 1k on it but yes definately save it if u can

i was in the forest of dean sunday looked nice if it wasn't nighttime
and we were driving thro and this deer stood in the middle of the road well nice

[53buick]

Hi Steve,
The forest is fantastic, we moved here 6 years ago and we love it.
The deer tend to do that, there has been a few incidents with them......
My friend has a 1952 GMC truck and he had a deer run into the side, killed the deer outright and made a hell of a dent in the rear fender of the truck, and they are made strong!!!!!!

The biggest problems are...
1) boy racers belting through the forest thinking it is a race track...
2) sheep have ruling over the roads, by law they are allowed to roam free and tend to sleep where it is warm at night...the road!!!!

get those 2 together and it gets interesting!!

But there is a small morris minor meet that happens just outside Lydney, about 20-30 cars....not sure who runs it but just in my street we have 5 morris minors!
lol