Genuine lowlight Convertible for sale?

[Tony H]

Whilst perusing the Morris Minors for sale in Car and Classic.co.uk, I came across this beautiful 1951 Convertible advertised by Classic and Sports Car Centre in Malton in Yorkshire. I thought MM production ended in 1950, The copy in the ad says it is not a genuine convertible but is it a genuine MM? I'm not so sure! can any members shed any light on the history of this car before I travel to Yorkshire for a viewing!

http://www.carandclassic.co.uk/car/C631185
http:/www.classicandsportscar.ltd.uk

[ManyMinors]

I don't doubt that the car was originally an "MM" , which is the designation of the sidevalve models, as this continued into 1953. I would doubt that it was originally a "lowlight" car however as I believe production of these ended in January 1951?
This car does have the short bonnet but that continued until about August of that year.

It is a well known car, if slightly "customised" and was in lovely condition a few years ago. I would have thought it worth a look if you're not put off by the lack of authenticity.

[Tony H]

Thanks for your post. I have had a message that the VIN number [SMM979...] is an MM number but NOT a Lowlight number! Interesting! I'll have to check it out further. Its a lot of money!

[mike.perry]

This car was in Billingshurst, Sussex. It was in good condition last time I saw it some years ago. It had been converted and a 1098 engine fitted without cutting the straight engine bay cross member.
Personally I would perfer it if the original side valve engine had been kept
The last lowlight was SMM 83389 according to my records so it has also had lowlight front wings and grille fitted

[jagnut66]

Hi,
If you're interested then go and see it in the flesh. If you're then enthused by it you could use its lack of authenticity and the fact it's not the 'Lowlight' it pretends to be as a bargaining counter to get the price down.
I've just read the advert and although he's honest about then engine, he makes no mention of the nose job, so, if true, then it is a trading standards issue.
Basically from what I've read here and seen in the advert pictures / text, the car is a beautifully presented mongrel.
So hammer that price down from 16K, you can bet they paid nothing like that for it and used all its flaws to their advantage.....................
If it was me and they wouldn't play ball I'd report them and wait for the car to reappear at a much reduced price.
Car dealers take no prisoners, neither should we!!
Best wishes,
Mike.

[FrankM83]

It's not a geniune Tourer , not a genuine lowlight and not original engine apprently :S but it's a truly nice car I must say!!

[Tony H]

Thanks Mike. I'll keep well away, I would have been possibly interested if it was a genuine car with matching numbers etc. I'll maybe look later in the year, meanwhile I'll enjoy my SII. The club should really be involved in this, if not someone might buy something that isn't what its supposed to be!

[mike.perry]

Some time ago I tried to get the seller of a car that was advertised as a covertible to say that it was converted and I did not receive any support from the club. On the other hand I have had traders contact me to check the authenticity of a car

[mike.perry]

I have notified the advertisers and they were unaware of the authenticity

[ManyMinors]

It is very easy to get too hung up about originality. Morris Minors have been modified ever since they were first indroduced. There is a place for an "original" car and a place for a "modified" car. A modified car is often more usable of course and we should embrace them all My own Minor "convertible" doesn't have the original body style, it isn't the original colour, it doesn't have the original engine, gearbox, axle or brakes as it is a 1950s model with 1960s mechanicals but it is still a Morris Minor, performs well. looks smart and carries out its daily duties well. This car is just the same in that respect and very splendid it is too. I'd certainly be very proud to own it

[Tony H]

Unfortunately I am 'hung up on originality'! Unless we preserve these cars [particularly the MM's and SII's] there will be no classic cars in the future, just old shells with modern parts in them. We owe it to future generations of classic car enthusiasts to maintain the breed. I appreciate what you say about practicality etc. but owners of 'original' cars love their quirky drives and brand perculiarities.

[ManyMinors]

Its simply about having a car you enjoy using. Of course a good original Lowlight shouldn't be "got at" and have modern bits fitted to it but I have no idea what condition this particular car was in prior to its restoration and if you want something very original then considering a car which the seller stated in the ad has been converted into a soft top and fitted with a later engine plainly isn't for you. I think running a Minor the way I do IS "maintaining the breed" as you put it. As I said it is a 1950s Minor which wouldn't be very suitable for daily use in standard form but with all the later 1098 mechanicals fitted to it, it now is The old, slow, worn out bits could always be refitted in the future if anybody thought that was an improvement.......

[amgrave]

My thought's exactly Manyminors. I have a 63 duotone and would like to fit a nice modern pair of front seats but lets face it, it would not look right. On the other hand I have changed the dynamo for an alternator fitted an electric screen wash and all new standard brakes with Silicone fluid (sharp intake of breath) purely to suit modern driving conditions. It's a matter of personal preference. Unless you go OTT it's still basically a Minor.

[mike.perry]

The point is not about prefering a modified car but about knowing what you are buying and makng a decision based on that information

[jagnut66]

A fair spread of opinion, all of which has some merit......
However, I thought the point was that the dealer was selling something masquerading as something it in reality isn't.
i.e. A lowlight (the engine wasn't in dispute as he had owned up to that in the advert).
And you can bet your bottom dollar he had some idea................
Also the fact that he then wants £16000 for it!!!
Now if this was April 1st..............

[mike.perry]

I contacted the dealer and he was unaware of the lowlight body modifications having been told that it was a lowlight. Not having the data that is available to me he asked for confirmation. Although car dealers have a poor reputation along with estate agents, the people that I have dealt with have wished to get as much accurate information as possible.
Before condemning the salesman please consider all the possibilities

[tysonn]

The dealer also acts as an agent to sell privately owned cars.He will sell your car on commission.A couple of years ago I made enquiries about him selling my stag.My point being that he may simply have described it from information provided by its owner.
Mick

[jagnut66]

Okay, I get the point about giving him the benefit of the doubt as to its originality..........
But he still wants £16000 for it!! ...................

[tysonn]

If he finds someone daft enough to pay that good on him I say.
Mick

[The Issigonis Kid]

A mint convertible is worth similar money to a Traveller.
If it was genuine yes £16k would be alot but not unrealistic.
If a mint 1000 Convertible is worth £10k, I would say a mint converted Series 2 Saloon would be worth £12k.
Anything over £10k for a Minor has to be special and I think a low light conversion would qualify.