Morris Minor Owners Club

Hi I am looking to by my first Morris Minor convertable. Can you advise me what questions I need to ask the owner and what I should be looking for?

Thanks

Lou

ask is it an original convertable or an after market conversion (not that there is anyting wrong with either)
look at the condition of the hood- will it need replacing? (cheap to do anyway)

ask for the MOT certificate number then you can go online and check MOT history and any advisory notices.

ask all the questions you would for a normal minor, rust?, welding etc
ask about history if you want, might be something intresting.

ask for a quick test drive or at least get them to drive around in it a little bit.

i'm sure more people will post with more constructive questions to ask but its a start

It's unlikely that any convertible has survived this long without being rebuilt or restored with patches or completely new panels. Because of the lack of bracing a fixed roof provides, convertibles have to have excellent structural order to maintain rigidity in the structure. Even thin cheap replacement panels can make a diference to structural integrity and the way the car responds to poor road surfaces and heaven forbid, accidents.

Ask about history. If the car has been rebuilt, to what extent and by whom. do a visual check. does it sit straight on the road - front and back? Does the space above the wheels look even side to side? A good car shouldn't creak and groan on the move (squeeks from trim etc can be expected. Look at the door gaps. Whilst driving look to see if the gap between the rear top of the doors and the adjacent pillar opens and closes excessively ( a 1/4 inch or so is acceptable over bumps.

Does the hood close tightly and does it's frame fold easily? it shouldn't feel drafty on the move.

A soft top should not feel any different to a saloon on the road. In normal use it is equally as capable and easy to drive. if you have never driven a Minor before you will find them suprisingly modern in feel. certainly more modern that it's looks suggest

A good genuine Convertible is likely to be serious money - get an AA inspection unless you have an experienced (on Minors) mechanic to go with you when you look at the car. Remember - body condition (especially underneath) is EVERYTHING - the mechanical parts are almost irrelevant.

BMC is spot on. I would also add that underseal is not a good sight as it makes it very much harder to check what is REALLY important. It can protect the underside, true. But a lot of rot on a soft top can originate from water ingress inside the car. Underseal will trap this water and the rot can be quite extensive with no visible clues from below.

Welcome to another Lou.

That makes at least 5 of us

...and what a fantastic name. One day I hope I meet my princess, until then I have my moggie

...and what a fantastic name. One day I hope I meet my princess, until then I have my moggie