Year of my car and use of trafficators

[halstrong]

I recently bought and am restoring what I thought was (and is titles as) a 1961. It's a LHD export 2 door saloon and I reside in the US (Whidbey Island, Washington). When ordering some parts I have been asked for the chassis number which is 789453. Apparently this chassis was actually produced in late 1959, if my research is correct. 1959 production ran from chassis 683443 to 790006.

My first question is, do I actually have a 1959 model, not a 1961 as I thought.

My second question is about trafficators. If I have a late model 1959, did it originally come with trafficators, keeping in mind this is a US export model.

I am not intending an historically correct restoration, but I would like to get most things right. For example, I'm installing a rebuilt 1275 engine, shocks and front disc brakes. But otherwise, I would like the car to be as original looking as possible, and I would like to include trafficators if indeed this was how the car was originally shipped to the US.

Thanks for any help you can provide.

Hal

[bmcecosse]

Welcome to the forum Hal - I'm sure an expert in that field will be along shortly! I know nothing of export cars. Let's see some pictures of your car...

[halstrong]

I'm afraid I don't have any good pictures at the moment. The chassis is all in pieces, there are no mechanical parts attached, all the body parts have been blasted, and now we're doing body work to fix the light-medium rust. It will be wonderful when done, maybe in 9 or 12 months. Hal

[David W.]

My 59 convertible, built June of 59 LHD for the export market (USA) had flashers, but the trafficator holes were covered with a blanking plate. I found a pair of trafficators on Ebay and installed them not because they were "period correct," but because I thought they were a nice addition.
My 61 Traveller (built March of 60) is RHD. It was built for the UK market, and I don't know when it was brought to the US. It had trafficators, but no flashers.
I guess what I'm saying is that I have no idea what the correct configuration is for either of my cars, but the trafficators are a nice addition.

[LouiseM]

Welcome to the messageboard Hal

The chassis number signifies a late '59 Minor. By 1960 Minors had lost popularity in the states and very few US spec cars were being produced. Quite a few '59 & '60 built cars had been sitting around for a while so "BMC-61" was added to the serial number plate in an attempt to convince dealers and customers that they were 'new' models. That may be why yours is thought to be a '61 model when it was actually built in '59.

With regards to trafficators, flashing indicators became a standard specification for all export models in 1958 so your car would not have had trafficators fitted originally.

[mike.perry]

If you give the complete chassis number we might be able to give more information. What 1275 engine are you fitting?

[lambrettalad]

Hi
If you do fit them ,please take into account (in the UK at least )that lots of people behind or in front of you will not know what they are ,or ignore them

They do look great tho ,good luck with the resto

[halstrong]

Your comments are all very helpful. My full chassis number is M/A2S3L (signifying, I believe, Morris, A-series engine, 2DR, 948 cc engine, and LHD) 789453. There is no BMI61 stamped anywhere as far as I can tell. I will assume I have a 1959 model and, though there are slots in the sides of the car for trafficators that have been plugged with inserts, my car was exported with flashers and never did have trafficators. I ordered a rebuilt 1275 engine from Mini Mania in Nevada City, CA and the block is bored out to about 1300 I am told. In the interest of period correctness and perhaps also safety, I think I'll stick with the flashers and fill in the side trafficator slots as we are doing other body work. Very helpful forum, guys, thanks.
Hal

[bmcecosse]

I do hope they are not supplying you with a Mini engine !!!

[mike.perry]

Only two 1275 engine blocks will fit, MG Midget/AH Sprite (easily) and Moris Marina/Ital (with some modification)

[halstrong]

My new engine is the MG Midget/Sprite and I believe it should fit pretty easily -- hope so.
Hal

[brucek]

Pretty sure that no cars exported to the US had trafficators fitted. It was a real issue over here that for years, people wanted flashing indicators, which at the time were a more modern set up, but had to make do with trafficators long after many cars had stopped using them. The cover plate is, sadly, the correct fitting for an export vehicle.

[mike.perry]

There are a few "minor" modifications to fitting the Spridget engine, mainly the clutch linkage. What gearbox and diff are you using?

[halstrong]

Mike, Other than replacing bearings, I don't plan to change out the diff as it looks pretty good. The transmission is ribcage and clutch kit is Sprite Midget. I'm quite some way off from installing the engine or other mechanical parts. We need to replace or fix body panels and plates, but I would appreciate your advice about the modifications I'll need to consider to fit the new engine. Thanks. Hal

[bmcecosse]

Just make sure it comes with flywheel and clutch fitted.

[mike.perry]

You presumably have a 948cc 4.55 ratio diff which you will find very under geared with a 1275 engine, best to find a 3.9 diff from a 1275 Midget or at least a 4.22 diff from a 1098 Midget. I appreciate that it is probably easier to find rocking horse poo.
The 1275 Midget engine is is fitted with a hydraulically operated diaphram clutch. When fitting it to a Minor it is easier to fit the Minor linkage with a modification to the relay shaft by welding an extra inch onto the lever which connects to the pedal and re drilling the linkage rod hole accordingly. This will restore the clutch pedal weight and travel. I would also recommend fitting a roller bearing thrust bearing

[George Smathers]

Hal,

There is that guy up in Port Townsend that has dozen of Morrises. I'm over in Spokane and I haven't been to his place but I've bought parts from him. I'm doing a similar restoration.


George

[halstrong]

Mike, thank you very much for the information on the differential. I'll look into finding a 3.9 diff and take your advice about the clutch linkage.

And George, thanks for the information about the guy in Port Townsend. I am working with someone on Whidbey Island for the restoration, Jim Simpson of Simpson Design, but I've been to see Rob Gryre of Double M Ranch and I'll probably be ordering some parts from him. By the way, what year and make is your Morris and do you have any recommendations about where to find a refurbished heater unit. And how is your project coming along. I was just in Spokane for a Zags game (my wife went to Gonzaga) and just today they've been ranked #1.

Hal