Barn find (1951 Low light) - do I restore?

[catlotion]

My dad has found a 1951 low light in a barn near his house and the lady says I can have it if I donate £50 to her church... I am undecided whether to take it...

not sure on condition as I have only seen photos. My dad reckons it's fairly solid but has holes in the bottom of each front wing and floorpan.

I haven't owned a Morris before but was wondering if anyone could give me any indication about how nasty things are likely to be corrosion-wise. I've owned classics before (s2 Land Rover, Stag) and can weld reasonably well...

I've also been trying to work out whether parts availabilty will be an issue as it's a rarer model. Are there any really difficult issues to be aware of? It's got a later engine installed but comes with the original side valve which I'd intend to rebuild...

cheers!

Toby

[frame][/frame]

[ashleywakeling]

To be honest, £50, if you sold it on youd be laughing... Although thats a little unethical. All i can recommend is that you go for an onsite visit and give the underside a few good whacks. If it literally drops rust everywhere then youve got problems. It looks very dry in there tbh (the formation of dust) so unless its got wet then corrosion is unlikely to have got too bad i dont expect really depends how long its stood there. I'd personally love to take it on for £50. If only if only :L

[catlotion]

Thanks. yeah, I'm very tempted. It's been in there for 30 years apparently...

She said she'd like to see it going again - may be some wait for that! I do like a challenge though.

trying to attach a couple more photos but not letting me for some reason...

[mike.perry]

From what I can see the bodywork looks in good condition so unless the floorpan has rotted away then I would give her the £50 and load it on a trailer before she changes her mind.
1951 lowlights are rare as early in that year they changed to the later high light wings. All the serious parts are available, sometimes with a bit of searchng, including engine components. NB side valve engine threads are metric fine but with Whitworth head nuts and bolts. Certain parts such as windsceen trim is not available at the moment but that is cosmetic.There are usually ways around any problems. Bodywork problems are likely to be spring hangers, bottoms of front inner wings, and sills but just about anything is repairable, just beware that there are differences between the MM and 1000 but it will be easier to deal with each component as it arises
If you post any request on the Series MM section of the message board then you will get replies from other owners who will not confuse it with a M1000. Also there is a lot of useful information on the Series MM Website, http://seriesmm.mmoc.org.uk.
Could you please PM me the chassis no on the plate on the engine compartment bulkhead so that I can add it to the Register, and if you have any questions please contact me.

[TvdWerf]

At least, I will buy the sidevalve engine from you for 100 euro, so the money should not be the problem ;)

[Fingolfin]

After a bath, it'll probably look very good. And it HAS been in what looks like a dry garage for quite some time. £50, I'd go for it without a second thought! (Well, okay, I'd have a good look at the underside first.) Have a good look around, and then do it if it meets to your satisfaction!

[DAVIDMCCULLOUGH]

As already said get it before the lady changes her mind and then decide what to do with it! If you decide to sell it on you could always give a % of the sale to the church.

[Rasputin]

As already said get it before the lady changes her mind and then decide what to do with it! If you decide to sell it on you could always give a % of the sale to the church.

Especially if it turns out to be holey!!!!!!!

[orb596]

I'd bite her hand off at £50 whatever wants doing to it. Nothing can't be done but some restoration projects take longer than others due to the amount of work involved.
You can probably get hold of any of the rarer parts from Bryan Gostling who looks after the club spares and stocks a lot of the more unusual bits and bobs.
So my advice - bite the bullet and go for it. Good luck.

[chrisd87]

I'd bite her arm off! £50 for any Minor is good going these days (given that they're probably worth about that in scrap metal ), let alone a lowlight. If you can weld and have owned other classics in the past, then you shouldn't have much difficulty in returning it to the road.

[youngcamper]

If you don't want it .....

[TvdWerf]

I will say, buy this car, and set the topic to the restoration topic, or buy him and sell him to another MM user (like me ;) )

[catlotion]

Thanks for everyone's input!

I've decided to go for it. The main factors that were putting me off were transport (£200 to my house) and storage (currently without a garage). It still seems pretty cheap for £250 and I like a challenge... I'll tuck it up well under covers initially.

looks like I'll be dusting down my MIG welding gear! Looking forward to stripping the side valve engine and returning it to duty too...

I think I'll be a regular forum poster from now too...

cheers,

Toby

[benb]

If you dont buy it youre crazy!! I'd even consider bringing it over here

[chickenjohn]

Great to hear you are going to go for it. As said by others, £50 is an absolute bargain for a project Minor these days, and that one looks quite good from the photos.

More photos please after you've given the car a wash and plenty of photos of the underside.

Nice also to hear that you will be putting the side valve engine back in.

[Fingolfin]

Once you get into it, make sure to start a restoration thread in the Projects forum. I'd be very interested to follow your progress!

[DaisyMayFozz]

Good to see that you are going for it. we need to save as many minors as we can - hopefully this will be restored and another rare lowlight can be put back on the road!

Good Luck!

[gub]

Fabby ,glad you are going to retore it , maybe only needs a wash and polish anyway

[catlotion]

post updated here... (bit confused about where to post updates on this! sorry!)

http://www.mmoc.org.uk/viewtopic.php?f= ... 81#p405981

[ASL642]

Why not start your own restoration thread in the Restoration Projects section of this site then we can all enjoy seeing your progress. Don't forget the photos!