New project - 1953 convertible

[minormadness]

I have just taken ownership of a barn find convertible registered on 16th February 1953, which appears to be a Series II but supplied with a sidevalve engine. Actually at the moment it has an A-series engine in it but the log book says the engine should be 918cc number 172440. The chassis number is FCA11-174278

I have 2 questions - is it feasible for a series II to have a sidevalve engine, or should it be a MM?
Secondly, the A-series engine number is 9S-H 4144 which I can't find a reference to anywhere, so it doesn't look like it was a Morris-supplied conversion, does anyone have an idea what this unit could be from? The original log book was modified to show it as a 980cc unit but the V5 reads 948cc.

Thanks for your insights!

[Dean]

A few people will get excited about this car... ;)

It definitely sounds like a very late MM that will have had a side valve in. I guess the A series was fitted as the side valve worn out over the years.



See this web page for some details. The web page identifies a period of cross over from MM to series II during a six month period.

http://potteries.mmoc.org.uk/Identify.htm


A great find and one worth saving and restoring to original if you can and want to. Well done.

[minormadness]

Dean,
Yes, I will be restoring it. My dilemma is do I restore it with the arguably more usable A-series engine or do I convert it back to a sidevalve? The car came with 2 sidevalve engines and everything else that could conceivably be required for that purpose.
Trying to attach some photos......
Rob

[Dean]

Hi Rob, make sure the photo's are low memory ones. Anything bigger than 1 meg tends to not upload. Set the camera to the 320x320 pixel range and upload those.

Basically it's up to you. Yes the A series is more driver friendly. Which rear axle have you got? The big round ball type or the original Morris square type? Do you still have the wand type gear change or a later smaller version?

Finding a side valve isn't impossible, but obviously not a very common sight. Therefore depending on what anchillaries you have fitted, get it running on the A-series, then over time collect the other bits to transfer over as and when you can afford it. But remember, it's your car (and your funds dictate what you do) and probably getting it back on the road or just saving it from the scrappy is usually all this forum looks for.

[minormadness]

Thanks for your help - seems to be working now![frame][/frame]

[Dean]

Well done looks fantastic! The bonnet badging tells us it's an MM. A great find!


When Mike Perry comes along he may have an owner history... or it may be a long lost one he isn't aware of.

[Dean]

Looks like it's a new find!!

http://seriesmm.mmoc.org.uk/reglist.htm

[DAVIDMCCULLOUGH]

Looks like a good find!

As per Original Morris Minor the chasis number comes up as:

F Morris Minor
C convertible
A black
1 RHD home market
1 synthetic paint

174278 - 163401 was made on 1st October 1952 and 175544 was made on 1st January 1953.

The last sidevalve tourer was 179820, so looks like you have a sidevalve with a later engine

[minormadness]

I have the original buff log book which takes me up to 1973. I bought it off a friend who has owned it from 1980, so an almost complete idea of ownership. The engine details were amended in 1964.[frame][/frame]

[Dean]

I like threads like these.

[minormadness]

Dean/David/all,

I looked at the Potteries branch website, and there are 3 options for chassis plate. The first one shows a prefix of "SMM" meaning Series Morris Minor. Does this mean that mine is only an MM if it has this prefix? Because it doesn't!

Having had a much closer look at the car now it is in my posession, it seems remarkably rust free. The floors have had some plating done over the years but all 4 wings were replaced just before it came off the road in 1997. I'm thinking of stripping it and having the shell sand blasted to reveal the true condition, it seems worth it on a car like this.

I'm leaning towards using the sidevalve engine conversion that came with the car, especially if I can get hold of an Alta head conversion. Does anyone have any idea how much you would pay for a complete Alta kit?

For my sins, I'm expecting to acquire a second Minor this weekend - photos to follow of a 1966 4 door 1000 which is much rustier than the convertible! I seem to have switched from a lifetime of MGs, Minis and Triumphs to Morris Minors by fate, and in a short space of time. Hey ho.

Rob

[LouiseM]

Welcome to the messageboard Rob, that’s a great project you have there

The first one shows a prefix of "SMM" meaning Series Morris Minor. Does this mean that mine is only an MM if it has this prefix? Because it doesn't!

Chassis numbering changed from April '52 and the SMM prefix was no longer used but it doesn't mean that your car isn't a series MM just because it doesn't have that prefix as series MM's continued to be produced until February '53.

Alta head conversions are very rare (hence very expensive) and the problem will be in finding one in the first place!

If you contact Mike Perry of the series MM Register (see their forum here: http://www.mmoc.org.uk/viewforum.php?f=19 ) he will add your car details to his Register.

[minormadness]

Which rear axle have you got? The big round ball type or the original Morris square type? Do you still have the wand type gear change or a later smaller version?

Just spent the afternoon poking around underneath. It is the square type of diff, and the gear change is very long and a kind of flat S shape which I guess is the wand type.

So, I guess the conclusion is it is definitely a late MM. Thanks for the tips and info all, I will divert to the MM forum!

Rob

[IaininTenbury]

Hi, Looks like a very original car. Nice too with its two letter Merionith registration. If it was mine I'd be keen on reverting to sidevalve power especially if you have all the parts, though its an understandable choice if you want it more usable with an A series in it. My June 53 convertible has been 1098 a series powered, rather than 803cc since before I owned it and I've certainly driven it hard and long over the last 14 years. Anyway, good luck with it whatever you do, you've a very nice car there.

[chrisd87]

What an excellent find

[irmscher]

Looks in good condition a great find