Morris Minor Owners Club

So this is my 49 project. My last Moggy was a 58 i Kustomised somewhat. This will be a proper resto, however i know little about these early cars. So from the pictures can anyone tell me what is or is not original for this model?





























Also any snip bits of information that may be of some help would be appreciated.

As a project it wont be started proper for a while, need to gather information and finish my Bonnie first.

Cheers
Rod

Looks like you have found a good original car to start a restoration on. It has a few nice early features such as the chain in the bonnet prop and the inner surround on the front windscreen. As far as I know this rubber is differnt to the later split screen type, it would be worth getting in contact with Frank McDonagh who owns the 3rd oldest prodcution minor as he had one of these rubbers made up specailly. Does it have an inner surround on the back window as well?

It should have the plain dash panel without the ashtray fitted, this wasnt used til late 51. It has the later type of carb fitted, I have also done this to my May 1950 saloon as I had real issues with the carb heating up and gassing. the original one had the float bowl to the other side of the manifold and then its only about 2 inches from the hot exhaust - disaster!

You will find the quarter light catches very difficult to find, I ended up fitting later traveller door tops to mine as the original catches were broken and the tops were rusty too. Are yours painted or chromed?

Good luck with your restoration, take your time and dont throw anything away until you have a replacement in your hands!

The few small items I note ,are the coil ,starter switch ,but no fuel pumP,no air cleaner ,battery terminals .

Thanks David. The rear screen has a pressed steel surround. It's tatty but should clean up. The window surrounds are, or at least were chrome. I thought the catches looked a little different to my 1000. So the chain is pukka, thats kinda cool. I guess the orange rubber hose is not? I'll look into the windscreen rubber.

Lamp, Bit hacked off about the fuel pump. The previous owner has it bolted to his jet boat! The air cleaner assembly is there in the top corner of the top pic. I took off so i could free up the carb and get it running, if only on a float bowl full. Was last running in 87. Now, whats wrong with the starter switch? I guess the coil is mounted in the usual possition next to the battery tray?

Cheers
Rod

The starter switch is the correct style but the newer version with the white nylon end ,the first versions were metal end with black rubber insulating cushions.Also there was a black plywood base under the battery to help insulate the metal shelf from damage.Nice condition steering wheel by the way.

Is it a British built one or n NZ assembled one?

First registered new in NZ, December 19 1949. I guess that would make it a CKD?

Rod

You have the wrong carb, that is an H1 semi downdraught from a Series II, it should have an H1 horizontal carb so that the float chamber hangs vertically not sloping.
There were continuous developments throughout production of the Series MM and I would recommend a copy of "Original Morris Minor" which has many photos of the correct fittings.
A CKD normally has a weld seam across the bulkhead and there should be a local assembly number.
Could you tell me the chassis number please?

Hi, Mike. Chassis number is SMM/8416.

Rod

All I can tell you... the covers on the seat bases arn't original!

hi. I suggest you make contact with David Greenslade in Christchurch , president of the local Morrie club. He has a very original early lowlight and will help you with advice and location of correct parts. If it was a NZ assembled ckd kit, quite likely in view of body coloured dash, then the interior seat trim may well be correct as it was locally sourced.
Where did you find it? I have looked at lots of lowlights all over NZ over recent years. There are several in the famous Horopito scrapyard on Route 4 in North Island
Bryan Gostling

Thank you, Bryan. I am just outside Christchurch so will look up the local club. I found the car here in Rolleston, been sitting in a shed for some time. I have the rego doc that says it was registered new in NZ, however I can find no weld across the bulk head.

Rod

Rod
Hope you have made contact with David by now. If not let me know by pm and I'll get you his email. We drove through Rolleston when we were last over in 2012 for the Morrie gathering in Christchurch based at Hornby WMC.
Happy new year.
Bryan

Great to see that you intend to restore this Series MM to original.

I am in Melbourne, Australia and have found useful MM parts in NZ via Trade Me, and also that UK needs (wants to get back!) parts for the early cars! In those days it was "export or die"!

I have a correct early MM bonnet latch (made from pressed metal, not the later alloy) and also a pass side quarter-light latch that you could have for modest cost, say Au$25 the two.

I may have other MM parts here, such as the rear light bases and globe-holders, if you let me know. Phil

Hello, Bryan. I found an Email address for David through the local club site. I have been a little remiss in using it due to other work i have going on at the moment. The MM is waiting for me to complete a 66 Bonnie project before i get torn into it properly.

Phil, thank you for the offer. I have to go over the car and work out exactly what i need. As it stands the quarter light frames are beyond repair and I'm unsure as to which way to aproach them at the moment. May i keep your offer in mind and get back to you?

Many thanks
Rod