Got it! Now with pics!

Post by **Blaketon** » Fri Jul 24, 2009 4:40 pm

I like those earlier steering wheels.

Are you keeping it in original spec? First Minor I drove was a black S2 4 door. It looks a lot of work but at least the Minor is pretty well catered for in terms of bits (Though I realise that MMs and S2s are a bit harder on some things).

I think if I wanted to take on an old saloon, for a full restoration, much as I'd like a Riley RM or a ZA/B MG Magnette, common sense would tell me to buy a Minor....though a Mini Cooper would be restorer friendly too.

Post by **d_harris** » Fri Jul 24, 2009 4:46 pm

In his new home

One day, one day....

What a mess!

Smiths Heather

General Interior Shot

Passenger seat, should come up well with any luck (actual leather!)

Drivers Footwell - a bit of a mess!

Boot Floor is actually pretty solid up till the hole

Yucky flashers arrangement

Needs a wash!

Drivers side xmember end

Drivers side spring hanger

Sill and x-member end

Edge of the bootlid - very saveable

The Wings are off!

That'll need some attention then!

not pretty, but seems pretty solid.

Rust around the windscreen - that'll need looking at - the screen leaks so its going to be a mess

Rot down the gutter

Chassis Plates

Anyone know what theses are/mean?

Put away for the night

Post by **ASL642** » Fri Jul 24, 2009 4:47 pm

That doesn't look too bad I've seen a lot worse, it only seems to have the dreaded rot in the usual places

So it this the start of "The White Collection"?

Least you've got a nice dry garage for him

Post by **mmjosh** » Fri Jul 24, 2009 4:52 pm

Blaketon did you drive one like my Black Series II

Post by **d_harris** » Fri Jul 24, 2009 4:55 pm

Blaketon wrote:I like those earlier steering wheels.

Are you keeping it in original spec? First Minor I drove was a black S2 4 door. It looks a lot of work but at least the Minor is pretty well catered for in terms of bits (Though I realise that MMs and S2s are a bit harder on some things).

The steering wheel is in pretty poor nick, so its going to have to be replaced at some point.

I've double checked the chassis number in "original Morris Minor" and it seems its an early 55 car which means it should have the centre speedo and the slatted grille at the front

.

In terms of spec, externally its going to look nearly factory for an early SII with amber flashers in the front sidelights and mini-type halogens (already fitted) and its getting the cheese grater grille (as I've always liked em!)

At the back I'll be retaining the current rear lights and ditching the beehives in favour of discrete motorcycle indicators under the bumper.

Mechanically it should have an 803 fitted which I am tempted to try and do, however as I actually want to drive the car its getting a later engine. Charlie very kindly provided me with a 1098 and g'box so I'll have to inspect them to see what they are like...

Post by **d_harris** » Fri Jul 24, 2009 4:59 pm

regaliaqueen wrote:That doesn't look too bad I've seen a lot worse, it only seems to have the dreaded rot in the usual places So it this the start of "The White Collection"?

Least you've got a nice dry garage for him

The White collection started with the first trav!

I've had all the different whites
981OPO - 64 trav resprayed in Snowberry (not by us!)- now sadly scrapped
955GUY - 63 Convertible currently hiding in parents garage - OEW
GYY174J - 71 Trav in Clacier White
BSL299 - 55 4dr in OEW

I'm paticularly looking forwards to having a nice, dry workspace (not the parents garden/the road!)

Post by **mmjosh** » Fri Jul 24, 2009 5:02 pm

thats a good car your steering wheel is better than mine

Post by **Blaketon** » Fri Jul 24, 2009 5:13 pm

mmjosh wrote:Blaketon did you drive one like my Black Series II

Yes it looked pretty much like that (Only I don't think it was as tidy - it had no carpets). It was quite a while ago but I think it had the later 1000 style grille. The dash was definately the earlier type without the big speedo in the middle. It had an indicator switch on the dash as I recall.

Post by **teenoes** » Fri Jul 24, 2009 11:40 pm

Dan_Harris wrote:... it seems its an early 55 car which means it should have the centre speedo and the slatted grille at the front .

I thought so when I saw the pictures you posted later.
It does not look like someone made the original centre hole larger but like the top of the central speedo mount cut off and everything covered with filler...

You also have black knobs on the switches - I think early SIIs have brown ones.
Would like to be corrected if I am wrong here!

Post by **d_harris** » Sat Jul 25, 2009 10:05 am

Either way, I've got the bits to make it look like an early one (externally at least....) so thats what I will do!

In terms of speedo I'm undecided as yet....

Post by **Dean** » Sat Jul 25, 2009 12:18 pm

Looks like you have the later rear lights and front swivel pins. Which (I'm not 100% certain about this) would mean it was originally a 948? I looks like you have the later gearbox tunnel too.. In terms of parts though you should be better off as you haven't got the old MM stuff which can be dearer. The interior looks nice though which the contrast piping.

I'm currently fitting seat belts to my four door and I still want usable trafficators. I think I have sussed out how to fit retractable seat belts them to the centre pillar. Therefore I'll get some pictures up to help if you are thinking of doing the same.

I shouldn't worry about the fact it's a later model. It's still a four door series two and a splitty to boot!!!

Sat Jul 25, 2009 1:42 pm

Dean wrote:Looks like you have the later rear lights and front swivel pins. Which (I'm not 100% certain about this) would mean it was originally a 948?

If it makes a difference, my 4 door S2 was manufactured in late '55 and originally came with an 803. Does this help?

Post by **ASL642** » Sat Jul 25, 2009 3:38 pm

We have a 1956 (build date 31.8.56) 4 dr splitscreen which had an 803 engine as original.

Post by **d_harris** » Sat Jul 25, 2009 4:04 pm

Dean wrote:Looks like you have the later rear lights and front swivel pins. Which (I'm not 100% certain about this) would mean it was originally a 948? I looks like you have the later gearbox tunnel too.. In terms of parts though you should be better off as you haven't got the old MM stuff which can be dearer. The interior looks nice though which the contrast piping.

I'm currently fitting seat belts to my four door and I still want usable trafficators. I think I have sussed out how to fit retractable seat belts them to the centre pillar. Therefore I'll get some pictures up to help if you are thinking of doing the same.

I shouldn't worry about the fact it's a later model. It's still a four door series two and a splitty to boot!!!

It was definatly a 803 to begin with (948 was brought in with the single piece front screen) In its life its gone from 803 to 2ltr Twink (and I suspect another upgrade in the meantime) The later rear lights were introduced in October 54 with the centre speedo.

In terms of Kingpins - this car has been chopped about so much that I would very much doubt they are original. The transmission tunnel was kindly donated by Charlie (from his Adderly Park Trav

) as he has used the one that was in the car as park of his twink conversion.

I am absolutly, totally, 110% confident that this is a late Series 2 car with the centre speedo, should have the later style rear lights and a slatted grille (I'm keeping the cheesegrater cos I like it

)

I did go to the garage today for a tidy up and organise and found out that the windscreen rubber leak can't have been too bad with the windscreen out the lip is still well and truly intact and will just need a rub down and painting.

Its looking good at the moment, the next stage is to get the rear wings off for an assesment of what needs doing there. And then its time to get the sill covers cut off....

Post by **Dean** » Sat Jul 25, 2009 4:26 pm

Try and repair the rear wings (they are bolt on like the later car) if they are the high arch ones, expensive to buy new and very hard to find second hand.

If they are the later swivel pins you'll have the larger axle and possibly the larger front drums. If it still has 7" drums on the front you have a smaller diameter axle. It's a pain in the neck if you find out after you've replaced the swivel pin..

So if the pins are worn, the axles I believe are inter-changable, some one would need to confirm. If so a garage can just press it out for you and press it into your replacement pin. ;)

Post by **bpr81a** » Sat Jul 25, 2009 4:42 pm

Late series II - (registered Oct 56). As it was:

Yours looks quite good....

Post by **d_harris** » Sat Jul 25, 2009 4:47 pm

Dean wrote:Try and repair the rear wings (they are bolt on like the later car) if they are the high arch ones, expensive to buy new and very hard to find second hand.

If they are the later swivel pins you'll have the larger axle and possibly the larger front drums. If it still has 7" drums on the front you have a smaller diameter axle. It's a pain in the neck if you find out after you've replaced the swivel pin.. So if the pins are worn, the axles I believe are inter-changable, some one would need to confirm. If so a garage can just press it out for you and press it into your replacement pin. ;)

I think they are later style wings. I've not looked at the rear axle in any depth but it at a glance it looks like a later one (not sure if the early ones look much different?) its 4" PCD all round and has 8" drums up front.

Oh, and BPR in terms of fitments, thats exactly how mine SHOULD look.....

Oh, another little problem that I've remembered - I've got no reflector on my boot badge

Post by **ASL642** » Sat Jul 25, 2009 4:49 pm

You can buy new Ser II boot relfectors but they are "flat" not "domed" like the originals

Post by **d_harris** » Sat Jul 25, 2009 4:50 pm

TBH, I'm thinking of turning it into a discrete centre brake light....

Post by **bpr81a** » Sat Jul 25, 2009 4:54 pm

Close up of rear light:

Different base