The Last Morris Minor

Post by **Ado_16** » Wed Apr 30, 2008 10:57 am

Hello Folks!

Old chestnut this - and the info probably readily available somewhere - for that I apologise. I was just wondering how the last MM is doing - and here I'm thinking of the N registration Metallic Green saloon made by special order in '74. I don't know why, but this morning - lusting after a Minor that a colleague of my wife's drives into work - I suddenly remembered watching the feature about the car on Nationwide back then. Where it was glistening in all it's glory in the studio.

Thanks.

Post by **Kevin** » Wed Apr 30, 2008 12:11 pm

Was it really Metallic Green but seem to remember that it was built for a Vicar and from spares stock but havent heard anyhting about it in a long time.
So you are an 1100/1300 fan as well then

Post by **FrankM83** » Wed Apr 30, 2008 4:37 pm

yes me too was also wondering what happened to it!! seems you are in fact a 1100/1300 fan, nice cars!

Post by **ASL642** » Wed Apr 30, 2008 9:03 pm

My first car was an Austin 1300 - I wanted a Morris |Minor because I loved the curved lines, but my Father said the design was too old! So I had to settle for the Austin, which turned out to be older than the Minor I wanted! We've now got 5 in the family, always room for more though.

Post by **alanworland** » Wed Apr 30, 2008 10:32 pm

My first car is this one (now 37 years older!)
I remember my apprentiship tutor had a very rough 'Million' which he used to park next to mine and choc the wheels with a brick because the hand brake didn't work!
Which I thought at the time was not a very good example to set for someone teaching mechanical engineering!

Post by **Ado_16** » Thu May 01, 2008 10:20 am

Hmmm, so it's still a mystery then! Funny how cars can slip out of the "system" - Over on another message board there is a tale of a DAF that just a year ago was the pride of the car shows - yet is now languishing in a scrap yard awaiting rescue (The club is working on it)

I'd say I'm just an Issigonis fan - It goes without saying as to his capabilities! - I just think if BMC had taken on his ideas for the "9X" project range of cars and engines how different it might be today (Industrial strife apart) So the Maxi didn't sell well and was partly responsible for him being sidelined - I'll say this though - even by 1980 - "Car" Magazine - known for not pulling it's punches when it came to bad car design - liked the Maxi and gave it a good write up in it's famed (and at that time pretty vicious) Good, Bad and Ugly. The best plan for the 11/1300 range in 1974 would have been a makeover of the Renault 5 MkI to MkII variety - and looking at the designs for the 9x project I can see that's that's how it was shaping - Even with the same engines - perhaps with a 1500 as well - it would have tided them over to get a more radical replacement ready. Still - no crying over spilt milk. However it was testament to his work that the 9x engine held up well in comparison tests with the K-series nearly twenty years after it's design!

I adore the Minor - My love of "classics" is firmly entrenched - from the day that as a 3 or 4 year old I saw my (i.e: the family's) Austin Somerset being towed away to the scrapyard, bawling my little eyes out 'cos I didn't want it to die.

I also remember not being able to watch a Dick Emery sketch where the hen-pecked husband takes his wife - in their Minor to the scrappie and leaves her there to be crushed with it - we see the car (and wife go in) but nevertheless - the battleaxe survives and wants a word with hubby!

I'm adamantly anti banger racing as well.

...........and anti-BMW Mini too. As Alex Moulton's tale of AI's reaction to the Germans went: "B***er the Germans"x3. I feel it wouldn't be what he would have wanted.

I wonder where that 74 one is?

Post by **FrankM83** » Thu May 01, 2008 2:12 pm

toally agrees I think if the ADO 16 entered in production today we might have a different story regarding BMC and BL

Post by **GlynnPreston** » Fri May 08, 2009 6:32 pm

Hi Guys I am new to the website, but reading a book about minors recently I thought this may b of interest! so I did a search.
I am 33 & have had numerous minors since learning to drive, the last car I still have in my garage `but have not drove for some years, this is GAW 942N a "BLACK" 2 door saloon registered on 1/10/74. it is stated on the log book as "kit built from new parts"
Now for the unfortunate bit...I bought the car with a 1300 marina engine, & since then have done numerous mods inc 5 speed box, adj shocks, disc brakes, electric windows & central locking. I finally took the car off the road to fit a 1.8 131 engine & as is often the case time & money have got the better of the project.
I remember the guy I bought it from stating there were 2 of them made by morris & purchased by 2 friends after the end of the production line, but I cannot confirm this. I have been trying to contact someone in the know from the mmoc, but to no avail, so if anyone can forward this information to the relevent parties it would be apreciated as I would love to find out the history & if this car is of any real significance!
Thanks

Post by **ASL642** » Fri May 08, 2009 6:42 pm

Glynn, if you PM me your details I pass them on to the relevant people within the MMOC who I'm certain will be interested in your car.

Post by **aupickup** » Fri May 08, 2009 7:31 pm

there is something about a car built from new parts for £4000 on the home page

Post by **d_harris** » Fri May 08, 2009 8:49 pm

And here it is.....

At last years National

Post by **ASL642** » Fri May 08, 2009 10:34 pm

I knew that registration plate rang bells, just couldn't remember where I'd seen it

Post by **bmcecosse** » Fri May 08, 2009 10:51 pm

Presumably then - neither of these two 'N' cars get free road tax ??
Lets see some pictures of your car Glynn - sounds like it could be quite valuable - if put back to standard!

Post by **Dryad** » Sat May 09, 2009 9:37 pm

That's odd! Here's the results from a DVLA enquiry;

The vehicle details for GHR 800N are:

Date of Liability 29 10 1992
Date of First Registration 01 11 1974
Year of Manufacture 1974
Cylinder Capacity (cc) 1098CC
CO2 Emissions Not Available
Fuel Type Petrol
Export Marker Not Applicable
Vehicle Status Unlicensed
Vehicle Colour GREEN
Vehicle Type Approval null

Has it really not been used on the road since 1992?

Post by **bmcecosse** » Sat May 09, 2009 9:49 pm

Could be - no free road tax!!

Post by **8009STEVE** » Sat May 09, 2009 9:54 pm

Looking at Dans photo, there is no rent on the screen

Post by **LouiseM** » Sat May 09, 2009 10:03 pm

I thought it was kept in a museum, hence no road tax.

Post by **Dryad** » Sat May 09, 2009 10:44 pm

Of course. Incidentally, last Wednesday in Leiston (Suffolk) I saw a Traveller with an S reg plate, and today near Sheringham (Norfolk) I saw another with a T reg plate.

Post by **bmcecosse** » Sat May 09, 2009 11:36 pm

Could be re-registered after Forces service - or after import.

Post by **d_harris** » Sat May 09, 2009 11:36 pm

Ex Military cars were given the plate for the year that they were re-registered - not age related...

GHR800N was built from NOS parts from the factory and is believed to be the last "factory" minor