Opinions on Car for sale

Post by **MinorMoments** » Thu Jan 17, 2008 12:16 pm

Hi guys

As a positive noivce on MM and looking to buy my very first can you offer me opinions on what you think of this car before I spend time travelling many hours to see it.

Thanks

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/1961-Morris-Minor ... dZViewItem

Post by **Orkney** » Thu Jan 17, 2008 12:53 pm

Never know someone migth be local to it to give it a quick look, assume its re-advertised as it reffers to making a nice xmas gift.
Why not mail them and ask whats the best price? pretty sure have seen similar for less money.
Also you need to know the provenance of it's recent restoration before even considering spending that sort of money.
Its for sale from a dealer so that cars carrying the dealers mark up you might assume so theres bound to be flexibilty in the price - isnt the time of year to be selling rag tops for top money remember.
And as a first time buyer at that sort of price your well advised to buy someone a decent drink to go see it with you - if they find faults and you dont buy then it would be a good saving

Post by **chickenjohn** » Thu Jan 17, 2008 12:57 pm

Looks nice on top- no mention of MOT due date. I would expect 12 months from a dealer. Insist thay they remove the sill kick plates to see the condition of the sills inside- there should be no rust if the car has been restored. Lift all the carpets and check the floors, for £5K the floors should be rust free and good, no patches over rust etc.

Also, have a good look underneath (front chassis, all wheel arches, sills and floor) to check the quality of the restoration work. You want to see proper repair panels fitted with neat welding , not underseal splashed over crude patches.

Best advice of all is to join your local branch (or branch close to the car) and get someone who knows Minors and has restored a few to look the car over for you.

I would insist on opening the sill covers. If welded shut, then walk away!

Post by **MoggyTech** » Thu Jan 17, 2008 2:55 pm

Always hard to tell from pictures alone, but it is from a dealer, at a decent price, and looks well sorted IMHO. Worth a call for more info, and underside inspection will tell you what you really need to know. Along with sill kickplate removal to inspect inner sill area. Also get dealer to confirm it's an original convertible, and not a chopped saloon. Some of the conversions to convertible are fine, with proper A post and scuttle strengthening done, some are poor.

Post by **chickenjohn** » Thu Jan 17, 2008 3:50 pm

Don't rule out buying a chop top. If the proper bits are used in the conversion there is very little to tell them from a genuine convertible- as the genuine ones were made from 2-door saloons anyway.

A Chop top should have the B post strengthening section as well as the A pillar to scuttle (under dashboard) stiffening pieces. The difference between a good convertible and a good chop top is as subtle as spot welding used to fit the strengthening pieces on the genuine and Mig used on the chop top. There is also supposed to be strengthening inside the sill, but this may be absent now even on a genuine car (rust and restoration etc).

The genuine article is worth more than the converted saloon, but no-one, unless a real anorak with restoration experience will be able to tell the difference.

Post by **MinorMoments** » Thu Jan 17, 2008 3:50 pm

Cheers guys for your comments but have been beaten to it as she is now sold!

Back to the hunting again!

Post by **smh582003** » Thu Jan 17, 2008 8:39 pm

I'm interested in the part where it says its a five seater. Is this correct. If so then I am about to get some rear seat belts fitted so i will go for two 3point and a lap belt. Can anyone confirm this about the seating.

Post by **Orkney** » Thu Jan 17, 2008 9:40 pm

Imagine thats just the ebay item specifics not filled in correctly.

Post by **bmcecosse** » Thu Jan 17, 2008 10:05 pm

It is possible to have 3 in the back seat - not specially comfortable - but possible!

Post by **Sidney'61** » Thu Jan 17, 2008 10:40 pm

Bull motif sell centre lap belts but like Bmcecosse says you wouldn't be too comfortable sitting with three across a minor back seat

Post by **badfelafel** » Fri Jan 18, 2008 12:27 am

Wasnt that minor that limited colour 54-55?

Post by **bmcecosse** » Fri Jan 18, 2008 11:58 pm

Claims to be 61 car - maybe just picture quality makes it look odd colour.

Post by **HarryMango** » Sat Jan 19, 2008 10:36 am

It looks like Clipper Blue to me - standard at the time.

Rog