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Minors still being built?
Posted: Mon Mar 02, 2009 4:28 pm
by Ondergard
I was talking to someone the other day who absolutely insisted that Morris Minors were still being built overseas somewhere. He thought Sri Lanka, or possibly Brazil. I wanted to refute it - well, actually, I wanted to let out a snort of disbelief - but I couldn't really, because he was so sure of himself I didn't want to argue in case I was wrong.
They're not still being built new abroad anywhere - are they......?
Posted: Mon Mar 02, 2009 4:51 pm
by 8009STEVE
Morris Oxford is still built in India. Perhaps this is what was being talked about.
Posted: Mon Mar 02, 2009 5:15 pm
by Ondergard
What? The Morris Oxford that looks like a Minor on steroids? From about 1952 - like the one in my village which one of my neighbours drives around in?
Posted: Mon Mar 02, 2009 5:19 pm
by Sidney'61
Yes a kind of oxford like thing is still being built by Hindustan in India. Most of the spare parts now for minors are produced in Sri Lanka aswell, this could also be where he is getting confused.
Would be nice to see minors being built now, however, with all these regulations they'd probably now have to be completely different
Posted: Mon Mar 02, 2009 5:28 pm
by mike.perry
It is the later Morris Oxford, Series 2 or 3 that is or was built in India, not the MO.
The gentleman was probably getting confused with the production of replacement body panels in Sri Lanka.
Unless someone is building a car from scratch in their garage somewhere then no new Minors are being built
Posted: Mon Mar 02, 2009 5:50 pm
by alex_holden
A while ago I saw a newspaper clipping from the late 80s where Charlie Ware was talking about trying to manufacture a complete replica Minor from scratch in Sri-Lanka. I don't think this ever happened.
Your friend could also be getting confused with Beetles, which were still produced in Brazil and Mexico long after they were discontinued in Europe.
Posted: Mon Mar 02, 2009 11:43 pm
by d_harris
The last Beetle was produced in 2008 in Mexico, The last VW air cooled engine was built in April 08 and the Bay Window vans are still being built with water cooled Golf Engines.
Posted: Mon Mar 02, 2009 11:50 pm
by ASL642
It was built as an "N" reg and parked next to NWL at this year's National rally
I believe it cost a bomb to build!
Re: Minors still being built?
Posted: Mon Mar 02, 2009 11:53 pm
by Kevin
Ondergard wrote:I was talking to someone the other day who absolutely insisted that Morris Minors were still being built overseas somewhere. He thought Sri Lanka, or possibly Brazil. I wanted to refute it - well, actually, I wanted to let out a snort of disbelief - but I couldn't really, because he was so sure of himself I didn't want to argue in case I was wrong.
They're not still being built new abroad anywhere - are they......?
Absolutely Not you are 100% correct.
Ask him to show you proof.
Posted: Mon Mar 02, 2009 11:53 pm
by ferret76
The vehicles in India are based on the 1957 Morris Oxford Series III. Made by Hindustan, the model is called the Ambassador or 'Amby'. You can buy them new for about $22 000 AUD for the standard Ambassador, or $24 500 AUD for the super duper Hindustan Oxford with all the bells and whistles. The Morris Minor was known as the Hindustan Baby and you can still get parts.
Posted: Tue Mar 03, 2009 12:18 am
by stag36587
Hindustan Baby? That's "cute"
Posted: Tue Mar 03, 2009 12:37 am
by Sidney'61
Here's the official website for the Hindustan Ambassador
http://www.hmambassador.com/default.asp
PS. Look at the amazing choice of colours available
Posted: Tue Mar 03, 2009 9:35 am
by dunketh
Looked at these a few years ago. There was a company in wales iirc that were planning to import them and sell them new.
Dunno if anything ever happened. Nice alternative to a boring Fiesta or similar, provided theyre priced accordingly.
Posted: Tue Mar 03, 2009 9:39 am
by mike.perry
A few Hindustans were imported to Britain but it never caught on.
Posted: Tue Mar 03, 2009 7:53 pm
by FrankM83
even in Malta there was popular beleif they're still being built in Sri Lanka!!! It was also published on the local Old Motors Club newsletter!!
Posted: Tue Mar 03, 2009 8:20 pm
by pao7psb
Quite intrigued by the idea of a Morris Oxford complete with mobile charger and MP3 audio...colour range is similar to Audi's current pallete I beleive ;-)
Posted: Tue Mar 03, 2009 9:06 pm
by Dean
Hmm, looking at that website I'm kind of glad the Minor wasn't shipped out and still being built. Imagine what it may have evolved into and might not have developed the same appeal the car has now.
It is a shame though someone couldn't start a slow small volume production of new Minors to the original spec. I'm sure there must be a very specialist market out there.
Posted: Tue Mar 03, 2009 9:42 pm
by d_harris
Problem is they wouldn't meet the current regulations. Heck, most cars from the mid 90s wouldn't meet current regs!
Posted: Tue Mar 03, 2009 9:49 pm
by moggiemadman
they make a diesel :O
Posted: Tue Mar 03, 2009 10:03 pm
by Dean
Dan_Harris wrote:Problem is they wouldn't meet the current regulations. Heck, most cars from the mid 90s wouldn't meet current regs!
Correct me if I'm wrong, but doesn't that apply to high volume producers? I can't imagine the fibre glass TVR's of the day passing the NCAP crash tests, and those tiny fibre glass lotus's and Caterhams for that matter etc?