Minor's are perfectly capable of being used every day - I used my first Minor daily for 10 years. Just keep up regular maintenance and you shouldn't have too many problems. 40 isn't too old
Whilst some people only bring their cars out on sunny days, some even trailering thiers to shows, there is no ruling that you can't use it everyday.
Whilst I do not have a moggy at this time, it is my intention to replace my current modern car with one and rest assured I will be using it daily and will even be using it for the long journeys to Portsmouth.
No, not wrong all to use a Minor as an everyday car. As said above, regular maintainance is the key. I would say that this does not mean just mechanical maintainance. The big enemy of the Minor is rust, so for the visible panel work, keep the car clean and waxed, and deal with any leaks of water into the car. Even more importantly, make sure the structural underside is good. Remove old MOT patches and replace them with proper Minor repair panels, then when the car is sound. Rust proof it with a decent underbody wax on the underside and a good cavity wax in all the cavities (sills, a pillars, chassis legs etc, etc).
I used to use my traveller regularly for 12 years. But as said, maintainance has to be fastidious, as we are not running disposable modern cars here but durable classics, which if cared for properly can last indefinitely.
I live in the land of salt (and snow) and use my Traveller every day although I admit that this, her first winter with me, was not kind to her shiney bits but hopefully that will be corrected prior to the start of the next ice age (approximately Nov 1st). The more maintenance you do the better she will survive the winter. Just dont expect to drive her every day and then ignore her or she will go in the huff probably when you need her to start.
as people have said good basic maintanance is essential as is decent rustproofing.if you can do this you should not have any problems .if your winter driving then upgrade to a altinator and halogen headlights .
Not much to add to what everyone has said already but I have always found Minors fine for daily driving. Regular use keeps them running well, just make sure you keep on top of the greasing and plaster it with waxoyl or something similar to stop rusting. They are surprisingly fast.....
I've only just got my little MO, if the battery ever shows a full charge, and when the dynamo is swapped over tomorrow evening, I intend to take her to Charles Ware at Bristol or Tim Lang at Taunton for a realistic appraisal, but the intention is to use her everyday, because that's what Mr.Issigonis designed her for.