Morris Minor Owners Club

Hi Everyone!

I'm currently in the process of selling my Grandad's car - a 1954 Morris Minor Split Screen, 4dr Saloon.

To be honest, I've got no idea what it's worth and so was wondering if you'd help to give me your honest opinions?

Details are a bit vague at the moment, but I know that the milage is genuine (just over 45K). It was bought brand new by my Grandad's Brother and we still have the purchase invoice, along with the complete service history. When his Brother died, the car was passed onto my Grandad and has been sitting in his garage ever since.

I'm not sure if it starts but according to my Grandad, the engine has been reconditioned. The only thing we recently found out is that the plate is worth approx. £1200.

Here are the pics:
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I'm afraid they're the only photos I can get hold of at the moment and so was just after a rough figure.

Thanks everyone,
Russell.

That car does look to be an excellent starting point for a recommissioning and light restoration.

It depends so much on the underside condition though. Money will need to be spent to get the car into an MOT pass condition so the number can then be sold and transferred, and that's providing it is already on the DVLA computer.

So theoretically at the moment, the number value cannot be realised, and if it is not on the DVLA system it may become non-transferable anyway. If it has the 803cc engine it makes it less powerful and less desirable than the 948 or 1098cc as a car to be used in normal road traffic.

Given that all we can see is the condition in the photos, so on the strength of that I would expect to pay £1000/1500 for it, in its current condition.

Nice looking car and quite a rare colour as sandy beige was only used on saloons made between Oct '54 and Oct '55. I like the original dealer sticker in the back window

It's on the DVLA computer:

The vehicle details for OVB 23 are:

Date of Liability 04 07 2014
Date of First Registration 01 11 1955
Year of Manufacture Not Available
Cylinder Capacity (cc) 803cc
CO₂ Emissions Not Available
Fuel Type PETROL
Export Marker N
Vehicle Status Licence Not Due
Vehicle Colour BEIGE
Vehicle Type Approval Not Available

That plate will be very unlikely to be worth anything like £1200, more like £200.....I suppose Oliver Victor Brown may fancy it - not a great combination of letters really... And as above - it can't be transferred anyway until the car has a new MOT. Sell it with the car - but don't attach any fancy value to it.

If you did sell the plate, it will not only affect the value of the car but its desirability to an enthusiast. As it is, it looks a very original unmessed with example and so will appeal to a colletor/enthusiast rather than as a car for everyday use.

I hope the underneath is as good as the top. It even has an original transfer from the point of sale on the rear window. Don't rub that off when cleaning.

Thanks everyone for all your feedback!

I'm in total agreement that the number plate should stay with the car and forms part of its identity.

I also believe the combination of letters isn't exacty what I'd call desirable and so was surprised at a recent vauation of it coming back at £1500 (minus the selling fees).

To be honest I haven't really got the time to clean it up so there would be no worries about removing the stickers from it.

I do think it will be a nice project for someone with a bit of time and money. It's a shame I'm into German cars otherwise I might have fancied taking it on myself.

It's not currently listed for sale at the moment as I know someone who's keen to buy. However, if it doesn't work out it may well appear on the classifieds on here.

Thanks again folks!
Best wishes,
Russell.

so will appeal to a colletor/enthusiast rather than as a car for everyday use.

Sorry, but I have to disagree with that statement, as this car 'appeals' to me and I would use it regularly, to me that's part of the fun of ownership, I'd just keep on top of the maintenance in the same way as I do with Abby.

I'm in total agreement that the number plate should stay with the car and forms part of its identity.
Cobblers sell it it to some tw%$£ In a range rover , to help him get over the size of his tiny p3n15