Morris Minor Owners Club

I’m hoping some of you guys can help me with one?
I met a lovely old man today who has a 1970ish 2 door MM in snowberry white and wishes to sell it, it is in fantastic condition with mot and tax hardly any use as it only goes on shows and remains garaged when not in use.

Now here’s a thing, he tells me that it was an ex police car (I believe he said it was from the Northamptonshire area) and has the paperwork to show this plus photos at home.
I queried the colour (Snowberry White) but he tells me that when the police force acquired it, it was of the last batch before the changed the cars to Mini’s etc, he went onto say that the last 5 or 6 were not repainted in the usual police colours of white/light blue they left them in the colours they came in.

On the boot it has the fixing holes for the police sign and on the front bumper it also had holes for a sign (which he still has and comes with the car)
The side doors signs had been removed some while back but I’m sure they can be replaced and he also has a blue flashing magnetic light that goes on the roof.

The previous owner was a retired police officer who brought it from the police and sold it onto to him.
He a a lovely old guy and I have no reason to doubt his word, infact he has invited me round to his house to view the photos, paperwork and signs etc.

So my questions to you are as follows:

1,Has anyone come across a police car in different colours?
2, Do you think this is genuine?
3, Is it worth more than a standard 2 door salon?
4, How much do you think it’s worth? (considering it’s good condition)

Do you think this is genuine?

Has it got a zip in the roof lining?

8009STEVE wrote:

Do you think this is genuine?

Has it got a zip in the roof lining?

i don't think so steve, i will check that out

I didn't think all the police minors were panda cars anyway. It might be worth getting in touch with the register to find out more.

rayofleamington wrote:I didn't think all the police minors were panda cars anyway. It might be worth getting in touch with the register to find out more.

thanx ray

Certainly not all Police Minors were painted in Bermuda Blue and Police White (a bright white). There are examples in another White with Black. The zip mentioned above was for access to fixing bolts and wires for a roof box and/or light; but not all cars had those fittings. I have not encountered magnetic beacons on Minors - sounds a bit too modern. However, you can check the registration number with DVLA to list previous owners; and a Heritage trave of the chassis number should reveal wheterh it was (a) Police Trim and (b) supplied ot a dealer whop in turn supplied the Police. Also confirm that the registration number is a Northamptonshire one.

The main thing is the paperwork - if that authenticates Police ownership then you're home and dry (quoting numbers, not just indistinct suggetsions.

There is no appreciable market difference between a standard saloon and a Police one, although some sellers will try to tell you otherwise. Certainly the known genuine police cars are relatively rare, but this might just be because people don't realsie what they've got, although the flip side is that if you take say 20 forces (not all used Minors) and 30 cars a-piece then that's not many out of the total production run. Therefore a fair price is (a) in accordance with published guidelines and (b) what you and the seller agree.

Above all else, please do contact the register - it is essential to keep track of all cars.

I hope that it is genuine, that you get it, and that you maintain it.

thanx for all your help guys,
i went to see it tonight and it is in vgc almost A, it was indeed a police car from northampshire and has the heritage cert to prove it.

he paid over £3,000 for it 2 & half years ago, he was first hoping to get £2,000 but had it up for £1,800 but will now let it go for £1,500
the mot expires in sept, it also comes with lots of spares.
inc police uniform

it did have a zip headlining but this has now been replaced with standard when it was restored.

what do you think?

Fight you for it

Actually, I think I'd have a divorce on my hands if I bought another car. Sounds like a good'un, and the police thing adds a bit more interest. In your position (with pickcup proceeds burning a hole in my pocket ;-)) I'd probably go for it.

JimK wrote:Fight you for it

Actually, I think I'd have a divorce on my hands if I bought another car. Sounds like a good'un, and the police thing adds a bit more interest. In your position (with pickcup proceeds burning a hole in my pocket ;-)) I'd probably go for it.

hi jim, yep the cash is still there waiting to be spent
i have made him an offer (not £1500) so i will wait for his return call
meanwhile if he sells it to someone else then so be it

I was offered an ex Sheffield Police minor a while back, which was all white in colour. Apparently Sheffield didnt bother with the expense of two colours and I guess othere didnt either. I didnt get it as it was a bit rough, but sort of wish I had....
This one sounds very good value btw!

well iv'e taken the plunge and got it (and i didn't pay £1500 either)

*********

well iv'e taken the plunge and got it

Good boy Well done

As far as magnetic beacons go .. I do remember my dad had one when we lived in Sunderland (so 1971-1973) and there was a special two pin plug in the dashboard of the car that the cord went into. It was definatly magnetic because my grandfather went on to my dad about putting a piece of newspaper under it to stop it damaging the paintwork. To say my dad didn't care for his car is an understatement .. on the other hand it was a Ford Corsair so why would you ?