Morris Minor Owners Club

Hello all.

My parents have owned a couple of Minors in the past, but never as early as a Series 2 so I'm not sure if this dash layout is original.

The screen washers are activated by pushing on the black button on the left, but the button doesnt fit in with the rest of the switches (ugly black thing) and was wondering if anyone new if this was original? It looks like a "C" on the button as if it was original the choke pull from another car, but this type of switch doesnt really suit the job right - it's just a spring loaded push knob?

Also, I was wondering if the orange light (prob not an LED) on the right of the dash is original and what is it for (if original)?

Thanks in advance

Phil<br><br>

Neither are original however the screen wash pump button is correct but in the wrong place (should be under the scuttle panel). The orange light I guess is maybe for the indicators??? but the speedo don't look like an original Minor one either....

The washer button and led are not original but it wasn't uncommon for owners to add extras. The washer pump looks like the one from the later Minors (shouldn't have a 'c' on it though) which is just a push knob. Looks like you're missing the light switch to the right of the ignition.

Just beat me to it PSL!

LouiseM wrote:Just beat me to it PSL!

Nice when we agree though eh ?

I have the light switch in a box of bits that came with the car. I dont understand why someone would change the speedo from the original, but any further comments on the originality of the speedo are welcome, and if its not original, what should it look like?

It's the " ind" light at the top of the speedo - from memory the Minor just had high beam light up there - I think this speedo is from a Mini....?

bugger. I take it that means my odo is out too then. This might also explain why the speedo isnt actually wired up, or secured in!

Just presumed someone had removed the speedo to do some DIY, then never actually put it back in.

Thanks for the info! Making me wonder what else isnt original. Though I know the front 2 wheels aren't (think they're off an austin judging by the hubcap mounting pins, and the 2 Austin caps in the box of bits)

Well yes, but lots of people do lots of different things over the years - I wouldn't worry too much....

Its all part of what makes your car different.

The high beam colour is right (red) so maybe its a higher spec BMC car from the same era (riley wolesley etc).
Try checking the ratio number (will be something between 1525-1400 ish ) marked on the front of the dial. then look up what your car should be. there is a link somewhere to an MM register with it all marked out.

there is a link somewhere to an MM register with it all marked out.

Here: http://potteries.mmoc.org.uk/Identify.htm

aaaah, interesting

I have one of those silly water push buttons just above where yours is! Considering an electric alternative - my button pushing isn't powerful enough to squirt water onto the windscreen.

Here's a picture of my dash for comparison:


I have a spare one of those speedos if anybody is overly interested. NOt sure if it works, but it looks good.

Speedo looks the same as the one that came with my series II. The extra light is for the indicators as the switch is the clockwork self canceling type so no little red light on the top hence the light in the speedo I assume, also the tpm is 1000 which is also correct so I am led to bieeve. Anyone with a late series II got the same speedo ? it would be nice to know for sure.

Nothing wrong with the push-to-squirt washers! They work fine - if the jets are clear. If the front wheels are 'Austin' - they won't be the correct 14" !!

The early 948s had the horn on the end of the indicator stalk so no flashing light therefore they had the light in the speedo instead, that's what I thought.

The speedo is a correct type, its the same as the original one on mine with a redundant warning light (57).
As for the washers they didn't become a legal MOT requirement until sometime in the late 50s-60s so would have been fitted later, the pump on mine was originally mounted on the right hand side of the dash which was a pain to use so i moved it to a similar position to yours

I always thought the indicator light was redundant on Minors (though only experience of later models - with green light on stalk)? Does it actually work on anyone elses speedo?

The indicator switch is down to the right below the drivers glove box and doesnt have a light. If it makes a difference, I think this car was a deluxe model, as it has TWO wipers either side of the split screen, leather seats, and a smiths heater - dont think these were standard until later (this was registered Feb 1956)? If it is a delux model, it could fit in with what paulk said...

paulk wrote:The high beam colour is right (red) so maybe its a higher spec BMC car from the same era (riley wolesley etc).

The high beam colour is right (red) so maybe its a higher spec BMC car from the same era (riley wolesley etc).

If it is a delux model, it could fit in with what paulk said...

Although the deluxe Minors did have a different spec the speedo's were not any different to those on a standard model.

Yep mine is a Jan 56 4 door deluxe with the same speedo so must be too much of a coincidence that we both could have the wrong speedo so I recon its a higher probability it is the right unit.