Morris Minor Owners Club

Hi

I am new to this and would welcome some help and advice. I have purchased a rather tatty convertible as a renovation project. I am suspicious it is a saloon conversion. When I look at the gap on the doors it is tight at the bottom but almost half an inch at the top, which suggests to me the chassis needs strengthening. Or is there something else I need to check. Secondly does anyone know of anyone they can recommend in the Nottingham area who could have a look at it for me to make sure I havnt missed anything else, and can anyone recommend a good welder in the area.

Many Thanks

Keith

The chassis number might give you a clue as to originallity (assuming it hasn't been transferred rom another vehicle) Upto 1958 a convertible chassis number would have started with "FC" after that it would start "MAT"

Hi

The chassis number strarts M.A2S5- so I am I right and it was a 2 door saloon, in which case I will definately get it checked over to ensure it was converted safely

Thanks for your help

Keith

Correct, '2S' means that it was a 2-door saloon.

Certainly that gap doesn't sound right - although I would have expected it to close up, rather than open!

We had a similar problem with our genuine convertible, turns out that one of the major minor companies hadn't quite done the welding correctly and it had a slight upwards bow.

All sorted now though....

" one of the major minor companies " - Hmmm - now , let me think ???! Crikey - I can't imagine Who that may have been ?
Perhaps they were anticipating the future settling in the middle !

Although you would seriously expect the gap to close up I have seen many conversions where they did in fact open up at the tops of the doors - I can only inagine the weight of the engine pulled the front down....? Sounds like you would be safest getting your car checked out by an expert on Convertibles.....

Actually, not who you think BMC. Not going to name and shame as I've had nothing but good experiences of them otherwise...