Abandoned '55 tourer?

Post by **pistonpen-paultje** » Sun Feb 22, 2009 10:04 am

Hello guys,

Im fairly new to morris. Always liked travellers a lot. And my mum always wanted me to buy one...I love all sorts of classics. But my dad was a volvo enthausiast, and I became it too.

Not long ago, I was at an underground carpark overhere (Netherlands), and saw a nice convertible in the corner. A month later I went to the same spot, and noticed it was still there. So I walked over to it, and had a good look. It was clearly standing there for a very long time. And some smugg have even destroyed it. The windscreen is smashed, the vinyl is cut open. All lights have been cracked and tires been stabbed. A real pain in the ass. Cant stand it to see a nice car, in this status standing here!

Over the past months I drove past it like 15 times. I think I fell in love, and now im thinking of (trying) to contact the owner. Wich will not be easy, as I dont think the owner has seen the car for a long time.

For now my questions:

Is it worth the hassle? Can't really tell if this is rare or not. How is the parts availability? (Had a prob. ones with another car. Don't like searching for ages!) How can I see if its a genuine tourer? typical Minor things I need to look at?

I'll try to make some pics of the car this day...I checked the licence plate, and it says its a 1955 morris minor 1000 tourer. Its a splitwindow type with LHD. Which is recorded being imported in 1996, and has the same owner since then. Looks not too rusted. And even in this status, it's a real beauty. Black with a dark red roof and red interior!

Post by **ssnjimb** » Sun Feb 22, 2009 10:19 am

that poor car probably begs you to return it to the way it used to be.

Do you have the knowledge and support to restore it.

If its a total retoration then start with the body anyway.

James

Post by **pistonpen-paultje** » Sun Feb 22, 2009 10:22 am

I do have the knowledge&experience. Maybe not the funds. Depends on how expencive these cars are.

Post by **LouiseM** » Sun Feb 22, 2009 2:27 pm

Have you thought about contacting the Netherlands Morris Minor Club? They might be able to offer advice with regards to the availability of parts and the cost of restoring the car:

http://www.morrisminorclub.nl/Home.htm

Post by **pistonpen-paultje** » Tue Feb 24, 2009 10:44 am

Made pics:

Post by **PSL184** » Tue Feb 24, 2009 10:49 am

Sad to see her looking like this - Would make a lovely car and deserves to be saved....

Post by **Dean** » Tue Feb 24, 2009 11:18 am

Dry stored too.

Tue Feb 24, 2009 12:24 pm

from the photos it looks lovely

the body work looks cosmeticaly good, the areas that we can see where they commonly go are at the back of the front wings, bottom of the doors and bottom lip of the boot all of which look good.

Lots of other places rust but we can not see them so impossible to comment.

The glass and hood are fairly straight forward to replace so i would not be too worried about them.

As for telling if it is an orginal convertible the kits are very good and unless you can look at the chassis plate on your bulk head you are not going to be able to tell if this is a converted two door.

Post by **pistonpen-paultje** » Tue Feb 24, 2009 12:49 pm

Yeah, in real it doesn't look to bad either. didn't do a good check-up yet. Think I'll first try to contact the owner. The other side has 2 or 3 dents. And I found some cracked filler. But it all doesn't look to bad.

Post by **ASL642** » Tue Feb 24, 2009 12:58 pm

Go for it!

Post by **pistonpen-paultje** » Tue Feb 24, 2009 1:20 pm

Sent the NL morris minor club an email. Hope they keep a licenceplate record and have it recorded...Wait on that first.