"51" MM Progress

Post by **ADO16** » Mon Dec 14, 2009 5:15 am

This is some current pictures of the 51 MM that I've been tearing down for the pending restoration in the spring.

I wish that it was further along but I know that this one is going to take awhile so please leave comments if you wish.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/33263274@N03/

Post by **RobThomas** » Mon Dec 14, 2009 9:12 am

Nice. Actually looks better than most Morris Minors I have rebuilt. Strange that the sills are so good but the floor has gone a bit in the middle.

Post by **ADO16** » Mon Dec 14, 2009 9:40 pm

So far this is what I've found that needs attention:

1. the chassis rail on the offside seems to be bent and looks as though the car had a major shunt on that side.
2. both front chassis rails(the long replacement rail) will need replacing as they are very rusty.
3. complete floor
4. offside inner wheel arch
5. center crossmember
6. front closing plates that attach onto the front rails?
7. both inner door hinge panels
8. Also due to the shunt it seems that the offside sill rail looks slightly bent under but the top looks straight.

With this being said what would one start with or what order of assembly in order to keep the body square when replacing panels. I plan to cross brace the door openings with brace bar.
Thanks all.

Steve

Post by **DAVIDMCCULLOUGH** » Mon Dec 14, 2009 11:00 pm

That will keep you out of mischief for a wee while!

Post by **ADO16** » Wed Dec 16, 2009 2:23 am

Hello all,

Having the above body problems where would one start to cut and replace panels? My major concern is that the center crossmember needs to be replaced and the two full length chassis rails need replacement and those two items are a major structural component.
So, is there a sequence that I should follow? Should this post be moved over to the Body section for more exposure?

Thanks,
Steve

Post by **motherofgod** » Wed Dec 16, 2009 5:27 pm

Hi Steve,

I noticed on your photo's that the front inner arches have the shrouds at the front for the headlights, so it may have been a lowlight originally then changed to high light, dunno if anyone else agrees but the rest of the body looks early as well.

James

Post by **ADO16** » Wed Dec 16, 2009 5:46 pm

You know James, it's quite possible what you mentioned about this being maybe a lowlight changed to a highlight car as I'm finding all sorts of surprises as I'm going along.
The only history I have is that it was orginally imported into Canada and made it's way down over the border where I live and then sat on a trailer for a few years between two big tress in the forest here.
According to the VIN plate this is a early month transition year, so maybe during the assembly they changed up in the process.
I guess we will get more input as time passes. So, with that said where do you think I should start the welding process?

Steve

Post by **stevey** » Wed Dec 16, 2009 5:54 pm

If its a 4 door it cant have been a lowlight. the shrouds at the front are correct for an eary front grill. good luck with your project.

Post by **PSL184** » Wed Dec 16, 2009 6:07 pm

With the door gaps set correctly and braced I would attend to any sill work first. Then front chassis legs, one at a time and finally the centre crossmember. If you can keep the doors fitted as well as the bracing this will help to be 100% sure nothing has moved. Keeping the bonnet on will also help when aligning the chassis rails.
Also, those rear wheels look like the wider ones I am looking for to go on my LCV - any chance you don't want them and can you ship them to me

Post by **ADO16** » Wed Dec 16, 2009 6:29 pm

PSL184 wrote:With the door gaps set correctly and braced I would attend to any sill work first. Then front chassis legs, one at a time and finally the centre crossmember. If you can keep the doors fitted as well as the bracing this will help to be 100% sure nothing has moved. Keeping the bonnet on will also help when aligning the chassis rails.
Also, those rear wheels look like the wider ones I am looking for to go on my LCV - any chance you don't want them and can you ship them to me

Yes, you can have the wheels and yes I can ship to you. I have a friend that is moving back to the UK (Bath) and I might be able to persuade him to take them along in one of his cars that he is shipping back but I will check with him first. How soon do you need them?

Steve

Post by **motherofgod** » Wed Dec 16, 2009 6:32 pm

stevey wrote:If its a 4 door it cant have been a lowlight. the shrouds at the front are correct for an eary front grill. good luck with your project.

well I stand corrected, I didn't know the shrouds were on highlight models

cheers

James

Post by **ADO16** » Wed Dec 16, 2009 6:36 pm

motherofgod wrote:
stevey wrote:If its a 4 door it cant have been a lowlight. the shrouds at the front are correct for an eary front grill. good luck with your project.
well I stand corrected, I didn't know the shrouds were on highlight models

cheers

James

That's ok James I'm still learning about them and our family have owned Morris Minors off and on since 1967!

Steve

Post by **PSL184** » Wed Dec 16, 2009 7:00 pm

Hi Steve - No rush - It would be great if you could arrange that for me - Cheers

Post by **ADO16** » Wed Dec 16, 2009 7:06 pm

PSL184 wrote:Hi Steve - No rush - It would be great if you could arrange that for me - Cheers

You bet, I would be more than Happy too. Keep in touch to remind me from time to time.

Cheers,

Steve

Post by **Ian46** » Wed Dec 16, 2009 7:32 pm

Definitely not a lowlight as it is a 4 door, and weren't nearly all the cars exported to the States high head light models because of the California lighting laws, even right from early '49. January I think.

The short bonnet design finished in August 1951 so this car, if it is a '51, was built between January and August of that year.

What interests me is the original colour seen inside around the door shuts and on the dashboard. The seats appear green and then blue in some of the photos, but the only seat colours available at the time were brown, maroon or green. Green seats would denote a body colour of either Mist Green or Thames Blue but the internal colour doesn't really look like either of these. Any ideas?

Regards Ian

Post by **WPR678B** » Wed Dec 16, 2009 7:38 pm

PSL184 wrote:Also, those rear wheels look like the wider ones I am looking for to go on my LCV - any chance you don't want them and can you ship them to me

Sorry to be the one to break it to you, but they will not fit your LCV as they are 4+1/2" PCD being MM stud pattern!

Thought i had better mention it before you go moving them all those miles!

Post by **PSL184** » Wed Dec 16, 2009 7:41 pm

Right through to 52 the only greys were platinum or gascoyne (I am assuming that it is a shade of grey on the interior). Platinum changed to Gascoyne at the time the 4 door was introduced (Sep 1950) so I would guess at Gascoyne Grey which would of had brown seats / carpets originally. The blue / green seating in there now is probably from a later car ?

Post by **PSL184** » Wed Dec 16, 2009 7:44 pm

WPR678B wrote:
PSL184 wrote:Also, those rear wheels look like the wider ones I am looking for to go on my LCV - any chance you don't want them and can you ship them to me
Sorry to be the one to break it to you, but they will not fit your LCV as they are 4+1/2" PCD being MM stud pattern!
Thought i had better mention it before you go moving them all those miles!

Oh bottoms !!!
So, assuming the axle hasn't been changed to a later one - where would wheels that wide come from with that PCD ??

Post by **WPR678B** » Wed Dec 16, 2009 7:49 pm

The axle is standard, and i have a set that look like van rims but are actually 4.5"PCD and still take the standard (late) hubcap.

Haven't a clue what they are off though!

See below!

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Post by **ADO16** » Wed Dec 16, 2009 7:50 pm

According to Mike Perry and the VIN # this is a Mist Green 4door transition year and yes built between Jan.-Aug. The seats are green leather but it seems over time they have faded or discolored from the sun in places.
I will be replacing or restoring most everything in the interior during its restoration if I can locate. The two things that continue to be hard to get is the front grille and the offside windscreen surround piece.

Steve