Infidelity....

Post by **firedrake1942** » Sun Sep 28, 2025 7:27 am

I feel deeply unfaithful to my Series III, Clarendon Grey, 4 door Minor, bought in 1978 as I, yesterday, bought a lowlight MM which has sat for 28 years.
Her name is Victoria !

Flat tyres and some tin worm but otherwise relatively solid and apparently complete. No toolkit but I do have an MM starting handle so the hunt is on for the rest.

A lot of work to bring it back to life, although the engine turns freely.

I am puzzled by the colour as it appears Empire Green but that wasn't used until 1952, whereas this is a December 1950 registered car.
Perhaps a Heritage Certificate will reveal all, It looks way too dark for Mist Green.

Not the original VRM as that was 100 BOO now on an Austin Healey so not recoverable.

VRJ 370 - a
Vehicle make MORRIS
Date of first registration December 1950
Year of manufacture 1950
Cylinder capacity 918 cc
Fuel type PETROL
Vehicle colour GREEN
Wheelplan 2 AXLE RIGID BODY
Date of last V5C (logbook) issued 25 May 1995
SMM 77175 / Engine 73718

Let battle commence.

Post by **mrs.smith2012** » Sun Sep 28, 2025 10:47 am

Wow she’s gorgeous! It must be so rewarding to buy a project car and transform it!

Post by **King Kenny** » Sun Sep 28, 2025 1:19 pm

Lovely project. It looks like it was one of the first 500 going by the front bumper bar. You are going to have a lot of fun.

Post by **MM1949** » Sun Sep 28, 2025 2:01 pm

Not one of the first as the chassis numbers for lowlights started at 501 in 1948 and were used sequentially. It is actually towards the end of lowlight production re the one piece grill as opposed to the earlier grill with the chrome plated insert.

From the old MM list, that car was in Rush Green Romford in 1991.

A nice project winter..

Post by **Mervin** » Sun Sep 28, 2025 3:46 pm

Not at all relevant because it's not the original VRM, but the RJ is a Salford registration identifier from back in the day. I used to live there.
If I remember correctly, most of the Salford City Transport buses, in their Weaste garage were --RJ.

Post by **firedrake1942** » Thu Oct 02, 2025 8:33 pm

Thanks to everyone who has offered support and assistance both here and on the Series MM page with my recent purchase. A great community!

Today was wheels day. All four tyres were very flat but two held air and the spare did so too. We managed to free off three hubs but the rear OS was really stubborn - leaving it with heavy doses of 'Shock and Unlock' spray and going back after 30 minutes to tighten the wheel nuts, this hub freed up as well.

I took two wheels with tyres that refused to hold air after 28 years and my local Treadfirst changed them for some old cross ply tyres absolutely free of charge. I think they were rather intrigued.

I am going back on Saturday to replace the last wheel and it will be ready for the trailer.... It already looks better on its own three (soon to be four) feet.

Some great finds in the car - a 1960s / 70s RAC warning triangle. A very old Boots motoring first aid kit and a 1960s vacuum flask. There was also an old metal AA GB plate which together with a later jack / starting handle and the spare tyre retaining clamp, are now rubbed down and in primer - It has been a busy and rewarding day with help from a local branch member.

To cap it all, I now have the old V60 which shows that there have been two changes of VRM and the original is currently not allocated by DVLA, I will be seeking Simon Mitchell's advice to try and reinstate the original plate.