Minor Sports Special

[rogerowen]

I'm curious to know if there has ever been a Morris Minor Special.

Very popular with Ford E93A's in the 1960's (pun totally intentional), Austin 7's were also ideal donor vehicles and Triumph Spitfires are still being used for a wide range of kit car designs.

I realise that the Minor does not have a seperate chassis - but there's a trend towards space frame construction - that could probably accomodate the Minors various pick up points. With the new spares availability being so good - much assembly could be made with new parts, but could get pricey.

I hate to see Minors being broken no matter how bad they are - I know, 'can of worms' topic, but imagine my Utopian vision for a moment if you will....

With a nicely designed retro sports body, reliable, economical, tunable Morris mechanicals (i.e. Engine, gear train, prop, axle, steering and suspension), all fitted to a custom built space frame.

The original Minor shell remains reasonably unmolested and is now in a perfect position for total refurbishment - allowing an interesting and simple rebuild opertunity for someone with a grotty Moggie saloon. And even then the grotty Mog's shell can be sent off to be refurbed in the same manor as the new one. Smiles all round!

Picture is of a 1930's 'Squire'. Full story;
http://www.ultimatecarpage.com/car/2102 ... 22515_6748[/img][/frame]

[stanley0070]

Hi there,
ALL Morris Minor are Special.......

[irmscher]

Lovely looking car

[moggiethouable]

I built a pilgrim sumo once, Rover V8 engine and box,Marina pedal box,cortina front rolling gear, granada rear rolling gear, I nicknamed it the bitzas,you know, bits o this, bits o that.
I am a bit puzzled as to the relationship of the squire to a Minor though.
As for a sports Minor, there were a good handful of rallying minors around once, not sure if they won much though.

[rogerowen]

Lovely looking car

Equally charming was the Vale Special, with probably more suitable dimensions.[frame][/frame]

[rogerowen]

I built a pilgrim sumo once, Rover V8 engine and box,Marina pedal box,cortina front rolling gear, granada rear rolling gear, I nicknamed it the bitzas,you know, bits o this, bits o that.
I am a bit puzzled as to the relationship of the squire to a Minor though.
As for a sports Minor, there were a good handful of rallying minors around once, not sure if they won much though.

The Squire (and also the Vale) were 'Specials' of the 1930's - the direct result of the labours individuals with a burning desire to create a sports car of their own design. Both had to 'borrow' largely from other main-stream mechanical manufacturers to realise their dreams. I've had the same dream for many years - it is of course bizarely impractical and short of rebuilding a Ford Special many many years ago - have not yet achieved my goal. Having recently got hold of 2 Morris Minors for my teenage daughters, I started re-thinking about 'Specials'. My earliest design was a very ugly copy of a well known Italian manufacturer and a powerplant comprising 2 x Ford 105E engines arranged in flat 8 configuration to allow low profile body styling - it was to be called a 'Fordarri' - how bad is that!

If I was able to design a car now I think I'd go more for a classic look such as the Vale and Squire. Sure, can get classy SS100 and Teal Bugatti replicas - but they are beginning to fetch very high prices.

RE: Rallying Minors - it would be good to see some photographs if any exist. Can't see why the Moggie wouldn't do well (well, maybe with ant-roll bar and telscopics on the back end).

[IaininTenbury]

There was at least one 'kit car' based on the Minor. An open two seater with separate wings - sort of prewar ish style called a 'Kilo' availble in the early 80s presumably when rusty Minors were exccedingly plentiful in scrapyards. There's a picture of one in 'Morris Minor - the first 50 years' by Ray Newell.
Also a good few years ago when I went to Lancashire Branch meetings, the Leadbetter family had acquired a sporty looking two seater, with swoopy looking streamlined bodywork in GRP and all on Minor running gear. I remember that the torsion bars ran inside the body along the front footwells due to the low floor. No idea waht it was, or if they still have it or where it went if not or if it was a one off or production, but it was quite interesting....

[rogerowen]

Thanks Iain, That is interesting - think I feel a research project coming on!

[irmscher]

There were quite a few kit cars for the Minor in the late 60,s and early 70,s has anyone got any photos ? some were in Minor Matters years ago

[rogerowen]

Found this, thanks to Iain's mention of 'Kilo';
http://www.morris-minor-conversions.co. ... 4546351624

[Roni]

I saw some screen caps from a 70's movie of a car that has quite a few familiar looking parts.[frame][/frame][frame][/frame][frame][/frame][frame][/frame]

[rogerowen]

Well spotted!!! I wonder if the transverse front leaf spring actually did anything?

[MarkyB]

Very well spotted, I can't see a transverse front leaf spring though.

[rogerowen]

My mistake! - looking closer I can see it's a beam axle. A morris commercial vehicle donor?

[philthehill]

You must go to Spec Savers!
There is no beam axle only Minor independent front suspension. You can see the torsion bars if you look closely.

[rogerowen]

You must go to Spec Savers!
There is no beam axle only Minor independent front suspension. You can see the torsion bars if you look closely.

Yes, but there is something running between the bottom part of the front hubs, maybe Beam Axle is the wrong expression.

[ian.mcdougall]

Is it not lower arms ,torsion bar and tie bar as minor

[rogerowen]

Is it not lower arms ,torsion bar and tie bar as minor

They are all there, sure - the bit I'm looking at is a solid beam accross the front of the car. It's the sort of thing that many 1930's cars had, it's not a standard Minor part.

[rogerowen]

Is it not lower arms ,torsion bar and tie bar as minor

They are all there, sure - the bit I'm looking at is a solid beam accross the front of the car. It's the sort of thing that many 1930's cars had, it's not a standard Minor part.

My mistake again, it doesn't go right the way accross. Will book Sec Savers appointment straight away!