Advice on Convertibles

[kieronf]

I've just joined, and so hello to you all. This appears to be the authoritative forum on Morris Minors and so i thought to pose a few points to your membebrs.

I am looking to purchase a Morris Minor Convertible and would like to know what I should reasonably expect to pay for an example in good condition and what I need to look for in order to determine if a particular example is in deed a genuine convertible and not a conversion.

Where is the factory strengthening, how visible is it for examination purposes and soes anyone have any useful photos that may assist.

I am based in North Devon but am willing to travel for the right car.

Many thanks in anticipation.

[chickenjohn]

Hello Kieron and welcome to the forum!

The differences between convertibles and converted saloons is really very small:-

1) The chassis number will be one giveaway, starting (from memory with MAT for tourer and MAS for saloon), however, I stand to be corrected on this as this is from memory and I don't have the reference to hand easily.

2) The A pillar strengthener- curved triangular piece that fits between A pillar and dash will be spot welded on an original convertible and mig welded on a converted car.

3) The B pillar strengthening piece will similarly be spot welded on an original and migged on a converted, although these are sometimes removed if a complete new sill including inner sill step is fitted during restoration so some mig welding may be seen here between inner sill step and B pillar.

However, don't discount a converted saloon, these are 99% the same as a genuine car and cheaper to buy than a genuine. 99% of people (even Minor fans) won't be able to tell the difference a and with the roof down on the nice day, who cares anyway!

I'd say buy a solid, decently restored car rather than worry too much about converted or original, as long as the conversion was done properly you will be better off buying a solid converted rather than a rusty rotten original.

[Budgie]

Hi, and also welcome,as an owner of a genuine convertible i,d just like to concur with whats been said as when i was after a soft top minor i would,ve been quite happy with a properly converted two door saloon if it came before the genuine one i own.Priceing is difficult as has been said a converted one should be significantly cheaper than a genuine one however shop around as you will find some private and trade prices are way over board,i suggest a ballpark figure for a decent,honest,genuine tourer to be £4000 ish a converted two door saloon £1000 less but most of all give it a dam good look over and good luck

[kieronf]

Many thanks for the informative replies. Should I find a suitable car, is it forum etiquette to ask members for any knowledge of/dealings with the seller - just in case there is some 'history' of which I might otherwise be unaware.

[Budgie]

no harm in doing so but to be diplomatic members may send a pm,i.e.private message so as not to upset/insult the person your questioning there are moderators on this forum and its their duty to keep the forum fair i,m sure one of them will be along soon and explain in more detail regards Mike

[fussyoldfart]

Hi, and also welcome,as an owner of a genuine convertible i,d just like to concur with whats been said as when i was after a soft top minor i would,ve been quite happy with a properly converted two door saloon if it came before the genuine one i own.Priceing is difficult as has been said a converted one should be significantly cheaper than a genuine one however shop around as you will find some private and trade prices are way over board,i suggest a ballpark figure for a decent,honest,genuine tourer to be £4000 ish a converted two door saloon £1000 less but most of all give it a dam good look over and good luck

I'd say give it a dam good look under too!

[mike.perry]

Earlier chassis plates 1952-8 were FC*11/****** for a convertible and FB*11/****** for a 2 door.
Body srength is particularly important on any convertible so check panel fits and door shut lines and check that the doors open and close properly. Check the sills carefully and beware of new underseal

[chickenjohn]

Hi, and also welcome,as an owner of a genuine convertible i,d just like to concur with whats been said as when i was after a soft top minor i would,ve been quite happy with a properly converted two door saloon if it came before the genuine one i own.Priceing is difficult as has been said a converted one should be significantly cheaper than a genuine one however shop around as you will find some private and trade prices are way over board,i suggest a ballpark figure for a decent,honest,genuine tourer to be £4000 ish a converted two door saloon £1000 less but most of all give it a dam good look over and good luck

I think a converted car will be somewhere near the middle of the price range between saloon and genuine convertible. Though condition will be a much bigger factor.

Remember that Morris took the same basic body shell and converted them themselves in the factory with the strenghtening bits and screen top.

BTW, I understand that an "old" converted convertible will retain its historic status whereas a recent conversion may have to endure a Q plate if not careful.