Morris Minor Owners Club

Hi All
Could someone explain to me the precise locking of a Morris Minor 1000?
That is, is it only lockable from outside on the drivers side and what is the protocol for locking the other three doors?
How is the car fully lockable from inside.
I would appreciate as much technical information as you can give
Kind regards
Steve

Sorry to be suspicious, but it might not be the best idea to explain to somebody who has only just joined the forum exactly how our cars' locks work...

Alex, I agree, but as I have been chastised before for having a "dig" at newbies I wish to welcome Steve1965 to our forum. Steve, if you eleborate more on the problem you are having we can probably help you out but I'm sure you'll understand from a security point of view we don't want to give any casual readers of this forum an opportunity to break into cars easily....

cant be any harm in saying :
most will only have a key lock on the drivers door
all others must be opened (im going for saloons here - no idea about van or traveller rear doors) from the inside.
Doors are locked from the inside by pushing the door handle fowards

Hi All
I am doing research into the infamous A6 murder of 1961. The car in question was a Morris Minor 1000 and the locking system of the car may have an important bearing on the work I am doing. I don't even drive so I have no way of knowing these things for my self.
Hope this explains the situation a bit more fully
Regards
Steve

Hello Steve, given the fuller explanation, and building on the earlier answer from tortron:

The lock mechanism is at the rear edge of the door, opposite to the hinge end. From the outside a chrome handle acts via a pivot point to operate the shunt (for want of a better word) that engages with the catch on the door post. From the inside, the operating lever (handle) is at the front edge of the door, acting on the lock assembly via a long connector. Pull the handle backwards to open the door, push it forwards to lock the door. You can expect that there would be a key only on the outside of the driver's door. All four doors, including the driver's door, can be locked from the inside by pushing the handle as above.

Hopefully that gives you enough information without divulging too much to other parties. If anyone disagrees, feel free to ask mods to dleete relevant parts.

I've heard of the "infamous A6 murder" but can't remember any details. Without being gruesome, perhaps you could add some more details when you've finished your research.

Well, for a quick run-down... http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/A6_murder

Was the locking method different on 2 and 4 door cars? My experience is only 2 doors, ie you cannot lock the driver's door from the inside and the passenger door is locked by turning the little lever at the back of the door. When were key locks fitted to passenger doors?

Yes, 2 and 4 doors different and as described above in both cases. My 62 and 63 don't have passenger door external lock but the 65 does so I'm guessing they came in around 64/65.....

On the two door saloon and Traveller, it is possible to purchase the little lever that you turn to lock form the inside. It gives the advantage of being able to lock yourself in for protection, but the disadvantage of being able to lock yourself out with the keys still in the ignition. Personal choice. Note that the lever for the right hand door is a different item to that for the left hand door. Similar but opposite in action.

PSL184 wrote:Yes, 2 and 4 doors different and as described above in both cases. My 62 and 63 don't have passenger door external lock but the 65 does so I'm guessing they came in around 64/65.....

Yup it was '64, even some of the LHD export cars only had locks on the right hand door so the driver hasd to crawl through!!