1961 Four Door Saloon Project failure for spare parts

[d.j.stevenson]

Hello all. It is with sadness that my wife's Morris is, at least for us, unsalvageable. We took it in to have the floor replaced, and after stripping it and cutting out the rotten parts a great deal more rust, some of it in structural areas, was found, so much that to do a proper job almost all the bottom part of the car would need cutting out and replacing. So we have decided to send it to the great Morris Minor warehouse in the sky. There are, however, a lot of parts on it which could probably be used again. It ran OK and pretty well everything worked normally on it, so if anyone is interested in taking it on for spares (or full restoration if you are not of the faint hearted, but it will cost), feel free to contact me. I will submit some pictures shortly, some of them nice but others showing some of the problem.

D.j.stevenson@gmail.com

[d.j.stevenson]

Here is a photo of what it looked like before it went in for repairs.

[d.j.stevenson]

.... and here are some showing its current state

[d.j.stevenson]

Its current state is up on stands, wheels, doors, seats, wings, prop shaft off, floor and cross member cut out. It is in Cowfold, West Sussex. I guess the wheels could be put back on and it loaded onto a trailer, along with all the other bits. Happy to provide more detail to anyone interested. We have owned it for over 40 years and know it well. It's a shame it has to go, but it would also be nice if the parts which are ok could be salvaged and not wasted.

[Tony.Baxter]

As most parts are available to rebuild the bottom half, wouldn't it be better to sell complete to someone who would be willing to take it on? Obviously the price would have to be rock bottom as restoration won't be cheap, but if you've owned it that long it doesn't owe you anything. (And it looked 100% better than the one I drive daily! ).

[myoldjalopy]

As most parts are available to rebuild the bottom half, wouldn't it be better to sell complete to someone who would be willing to take it on? Obviously the price would have to be rock bottom as restoration won't be cheap, but if you've owned it that long it doesn't owe you anything. (And it looked 100% better than the one I drive daily! ).

Yes, preferable to save it if someone can be found to restore it.

[d.j.stevenson]

Any takers, then? I am happy to let it go at a 'rock bottom' price. It will need to be trailed from Cowfold, with all the bits attached to the trailer either inside or outside the car. The wheels are off - the front ones could go on easily but for the back the prop shaft, half shafts and back axle would need refitting. Probably not worth it as they will all have to come off again!

I really would like it saved, or even just the parts used, rather than scrap it, but I don't have the wherewithal to do it.

[d.j.stevenson]

I'm afraid I am a bit of a luddite and don't do Facebook, but thanks for the suggestion. Good luck with the two you are doing.

I should say that the photos I provided are only a small snapshot of the.problem. I have had two reputable organisations now saying that it isn't worth restoring anymore however they aren't MM specialists and probably base that view on professional labour charges. Having said that, one said that it could be done but would cost mega-bucks.

[Dryad]

Non-MM restorers would probably take more time if they are unfamiliar with the Minor's structure. You could try and get a quote from MM specialists White's in East Sussex. This is their website: https://www.whitesbodyworks.com/portfolio/morris-minor/

[d.j.stevenson]

Thanks - I will try them.