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Any ideas for tracing the history of my ex UK Minor LCV?

Posted: Sun May 30, 2010 4:23 pm
by MaltaMM
Hi All,

I am Stuart from Malta and have posted a couple of times on this forum. I have a 1967 Morris Minor pick up with Maltese rear bodywork. Most Maltese bodied Morris pick-ups started life in the UK as panel vans and were imported to Malta in the 1970s. The van rear bodywork was removed and substituted with a Maltese made pick-up box. These pick-up conversions were extremely popular in Malta, especially with farmers, builders and hawkers.

My Morris started its life in the UK and its M-AE-****** chassis number indicates that it was originally a late Series V, 6cwt GPO Engineering Van. It still has the remains of some original bright yellow paint under its front bumper! It was imported to Malta in 1976. The Morris was last on the road in 1995 and I acquired it after it spent years languishing in a garage and also a couple of months in a field. The plan is to restore the pick-up for daily use and to "Maltese" specification, as a tribute to the various Maltese body-builders and to ensure that at least one such vehicle will still be able to be seen regularly on our roads. The restoration will include hand-painting it the traditional way, in the obligatory "Madonna" blue and white, adding numerous bits of period chromework and a Malta made blue perspex sunvisor and also finishing it off with some traditional Maltese signwriting known locally as "tberfil".

I intend to start its restoration in a couple of months time and will try to give "regular" updates on the internet. How regular these will be will obviously depend on work and family commitments!

Before starting the restoration, I would really love to know more about my Morris's first life in the UK, especially its original UK registration number. Does anyone have any ideas where to start? Any help would be greatly appreciated

I am attaching a photo of my Morris pick up in "as found" condition, in the meantime if you would like to have a look at my Flickr photostream showing Maltese Morris pick ups and other vehicles, kindly have a look on http://www.flickr.com/photos/47184112@N ... 445931570/

Stuart[frame]Image[/frame]

Re: Any ideas for tracing the history of my ex UK Minor LCV?

Posted: Mon May 31, 2010 7:40 pm
by santadawes
Hi there.

Russ Harvey is the "Man" who can tell you more. If you look down to the LCV regester you can contact him there.

Re: Any ideas for tracing the history of my ex UK Minor LCV?

Posted: Mon Jun 07, 2010 9:13 pm
by FrankM83
First tip Stuart! The fact that it's green and pre 1968 suggests it's an Ex PO engineers van, to confirm that is tha chassis no.
M= Morris
A= A series
E = Engineer's van!

Then you should have a 5 which says its a series 5 model :)

Re: Any ideas for tracing the history of my ex UK Minor LCV?

Posted: Mon Jun 07, 2010 9:22 pm
by LouiseM
MaltaMM wrote: My Morris started its life in the UK and its M-AE-****** chassis number indicates that it was originally a late Series V, 6cwt GPO Engineering Van.
I think he already knows it's an ex GPO van Frank. But as already suggested, Russ Harvey might be able to provide more info. Contact him at: russ@minorlcvreg dot co dot uk

Re: Any ideas for tracing the history of my ex UK Minor LCV?

Posted: Mon Jun 07, 2010 9:27 pm
by FrankM83
doh! how did I miss that lol! yes send Russ the body no. I'm sure he can help you :)

Re: Any ideas for tracing the history of my ex UK Minor LCV?

Posted: Tue Jun 08, 2010 5:22 pm
by MaltaMM
Thanks for your replies. I will definitely contact Russ. Will post any details I may obtain later on. I will soon post a couple of photos of my pick up before I will begin its restoration. I intend to do most of the jobs myself, please wish me luck!

Stuart

Re: Any ideas for tracing the history of my ex UK Minor LCV?

Posted: Tue Jun 08, 2010 7:49 pm
by santadawes
Good Luck.

Re: Any ideas for tracing the history of my ex UK Minor LCV?

Posted: Fri Jun 11, 2010 7:02 pm
by POMMReg
Hi,

Let me know the chassis nos. and I'll give you it's UK PO history!

Cab number would be great too....

(x Z37923-4 5????? x)

Engine Nos if original will be a 'PO special'....10V/451E/L?????

Chris the POMM bore

Re: Any ideas for tracing the history of my ex UK Minor LCV?

Posted: Sat Jun 12, 2010 3:35 pm
by POMMReg
No such thing as a '67 'MAE5'...???

The first 'MAE's' were the 1968 SYM/SLO-F regd telephone engineers' Minors.....although the log book will have the old 'OJE' chassis prefix!!!

Confusing to say the least...MAE5/225800 upwards

Body will be in the 37*** series..

engine a '10MA-U-L 31*****'

Apols for the last message.....didn't see the '67' !!!

Chris