Morris Minor Owners Club

I am new here and have joined because my mother has an old black Morris Minor '1000' car, in her garage that she is looking to sell in the very near future. She used to take me to school in it when I was younger and I loved it! We live in Hampshire, South of England, UK. The car is roughly 50 years old, is black with read leather interior and has been stored in her garage for the last 35 years. The car was working perfectly, when the engine was taken out by my father in about 1975, when he planned to do some 'reconditioning' on it, but it never went back into the car! All of the engine is still in the garage along with the car body which is in good condition and been kept in the dry all these years. I would like to think that this car could go to someone who will cherish it and get it running again. The car is not taxed or MOT.'d.

Interestingly the plates on the car are '900 CAR'. I am wondering here on this forum what you consider would be the best way to sell or advertise this car (my mother does want to take some money for it), given that it would be nice to see it restored and also given it has great plates. This site of course seemed like a good start - but I've yet to place an ad on here to try and sell it, and am initially here to get some pointers.

So all advice would be most welcome, I am doing this on behalf of my mother as she wants to clear her garage!

As the car has been standing for so long there may be quite a lot of work involved in getting it back on the road,ie electrics and brakes besides rebuilding the engine possibly. It also depends on on how well the car has resisted the dreaded tin worm.
I am not going to discuss selling the plate as I don't agree with that sort of thing. I have just checked and the registration is not on the DVLA database as the car has been off the road for so long. With the correct paperwork it would be possible to restore the registration to the car but I believe that there will be restrictions on selling the plate without the car.
If you could supply some photos we would be able to give you better advice.

Hi Mike,

I agree about the plate selling too, I think my mother wants it to go to someone who will restore the car, the plates are just a nice little addition which is why I came to this site to contact/get advice from actual Morris enthusiasts! I am aware the details are not registered with the DVLA and have rang them and been told to apply for another log book, to reinstate the car's information on their datbase. I think this should be straight foreward enough, I just need to fill out the relevant form, then we get issued with a new log book.

I can get photos of the car and take a better look at the condition of it as well. Also, if anyone is living in the Hampshire area and wants to take a look for themselves, then please PM me and I could arrange that. Thanks!

Plenty of Morris Minor addicts in the Hampshire area

Why dont you consider keeping it - as you pointed out when you were younger they really are fun. Letting it go is something you may regret later. But get straight onto the DVLA and see if you can rescue the position of the number plate.

Bill...
Yes I asked my mother if she could give the car to me! as I really love it but I just don't have the money right now to restore it or pay her any money for it. She however, wants to start 'clearing' things out of the house and the garage. I think she has plans to sell her house and wants to start getting rid of things. I don't think she would be prepared to put it into storage either, so it's a no-go for me! Plus I can't pay her any money for it. She wants rid of it very soon.

Firstly, do you have any documents relating to the car? If you have it will be easier to get the car registered with DVLA as they should have a reference number on them. Even with these I'm afraid that the car won't sell for a great deal of money without an MOT, and given the fact that it has been off the road for so long. Do you know what year it was manufactured in? Pictures will certainly help us to give you an idea of value (only an idea without seeing it). Have a look at Minors currently on Ebay. It will help you compare the state of your Mother's with them and show you what they go for.

Once you have finalised the position with the DVLA post the car in the For Sale Section below with a few fotos but as has been mentioned above do some general homework on e-bay etc so you have a good idea what to expect. Just a pity you cant store it for the future when your financial position has possibly improved. I'm sure you'll continue to get lots of help from the members here - best of luck