Incorrect Bonnet flashes on Split Screen Minors

[gtt1951]

There are currently a couple of 1955 Split Screen Minor saloons on eBay. Both of them sport the post-October 1956 "Morris 1000" flashes on the bonnet sides (when the 948 Series III was introduced), instead of the correct "Morris Minor" ones - has anyone else noticed these faults?
Item 1
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/151741315769? ... 924wt_1074
Item 2
ht[url]tp://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/252022897827?_trksid ... t_70wt_959[/url]

[bmcecosse]

I did wonder if that first one was a 1955 car...... since it clearly has a 948 engine, with a 1098 (or Mini) head fitted.... And the second one also has a remote control gearlever -so at least a later 948 gearbox... and the 948 carb/inlet manifold. Are they 'ringers' - or just late 1955 cars with the newer features? Both 'rare' LBM shells though! The second one suggests not to offer silly money since he knows the value - it looks well overvalued at the current £700 asking price.......

[Boomlander]

Hmmm....As Jethro's bonnet came from a LCV it seems I need to fit a couple of Morris Minor name plates to go with the side mouldings I prepared earlier.
Should complete the car's fabulous "Rare" LBM body! [frame][/frame]

[simmitc]

It's always right to question and check things, and I have no quibble with that. On the flip side, has nobody ever swapped an old engine for a newer one? Is it unknown, during around 60 years of a car's life, for an owner to buy a second hand bonnet to replace a damaged one, or perhaps an early restorer to add whatever badges were available at the time?

Yes, we have seen some extremely dodgy vehicles being advertised, but just for balance, there may be perfectly innocent explanations - even an error in the DVLA records. Any buyer should always check all numbers / paperwork, and vehicle history / condition before purchasing.

[Boomlander]

Quite correct, it is always nice to see a totally original car but throughout their life it is usually the case for parts and panels to be replaced, often from later vehicles when early components are unavailable.

[liammonty]

Goodness me... Why on earth would they be ringers?!!!! 2 cars advertised as 1955, both with the correct bodies, I.e. the split windscreen and the small rear screen. I suspect it is just a little bit more likely that the gearbox was changed on the maroon one and the bonnet badges were changed on the other than somebody having replaced the entire front and rear screen apertures for the fun of it . My Ford Focus has the incorrect aerial on it, but I don't think that proves that the car is necessarily a ringer

[whyperion]

Anyone else found that the modern castings for badges the pins are just a touch smaller than the originals and the clips dont grab tight. (And the original ones removing clips breaks the old pins !!). Found at the in-laws a half one reading Morris Min.. (car long scrapped ) I had never thought the pre 948 engined ones had differing bonnet badge on the sides and I think for a while replacement ones were not avalilble).

[aupickup]

also then we were not concerned with originality as they were bought mainly as old bangers

[myoldjalopy]

You can fix the badges on with plastic tubing of the correct size - i.e. tight fit! Won't rust like the clips and will hold badges that have very short (i.e. broken) studs.