Page 1 of 2

Morris Minor 1953. New Purchase and History.

Posted: Tue Jan 07, 2014 7:24 pm
by Morris Mike
We have never owned a Morris Minor saloon car before.

We have Travellers,Vans and Pickup`s.

All of these were purchased as projects and fully restored my myself.

It is a change now and again to purchase a vehicle you can enjoy straight away before restoring it.

I have always liked the early split screen saloons, especially with the early type dashboards.

We just love the seats in these early cars, so much better than the later vinyl designed seats fitted in the 1960`s vehicles.

The headlining is so different as well.

And that grill is great too.

I heard of one locally to us last year but missed it.

This time there was no chance of that happening again.

We knew of an elderly gentleman who was giving up driving and owned a 1953 Morris Minor saloon.

He purchased the car in 1962.

Yesterday morning I heard he was going to part with it.

I arranged a visit straight away and a deal was done.

I picked up the car this afternoon.

It is on the road and drives very well.

It is very original and very solid.

The underside is in very good order and very solid, the engine bay is also very original with no patch repairs and very sound.

There is certainly no welding to carry out, which makes a change for me.

It has been maintained by the same garage since 1962.

We have all the history with the car, including the first sales invoice.

There are some cosmetic items to address.

As can be seen a replacement drivers seat is required.

I do not want to fit a new cover on the seat,it just would not match the rest of the car.

The sales invoice dated 5th November 1962 shows the gentleman purchased the car for the grand sum of £225 and 12 shillings.

To have the front and rear bumpers reconditioned was £5.00.
Oil came to 12 shillings.

An MOT certificate dated 23 rd December 1963.

We have all the documentation from 1962 to the present day.

I think earlier documents may be found shortly by the seller.

The previous owner list shows it was purchased new in York by a Ina Harrowell on the 28th Jan 1954.
The second owner Ina Crombie became the custodian on the 21st April 1959.
The third driver was a Alyne Winter who came into ownership of the car ion the 6th January 1961.
The gentleman we purchased the car from purchased the car on the 21st November 1962.

The total mileage to date is 46,995 miles.
The original 803cc engine was removed 25,000 miles ago.
A larger 948cc was fitted for more reliability and ease of getting parts.

The old engine did come with the car, but the slightly larger engine is so much better for regular use.


We are not going to over restore the car.

We intend to find good secondhand items instead that need replacing to try and keep the patina of the car.

In the meantime the car will be used as is.

M.M

[frame]Image[/frame][frame]Image[/frame][frame]Image[/frame][frame]Image[/frame][frame]Image[/frame][frame]Image[/frame][frame]Image[/frame][frame]Image[/frame][frame]Image[/frame][frame]Image[/frame]

Re: Morris Minor series 11 1953. Newly Aquired.

Posted: Tue Jan 07, 2014 7:31 pm
by bmcecosse
That seat looks perfect!! Just the right amount of 'patina'.....don't change it! :lol:

Re: Morris Minor series 11 1953. Newly Aquired.

Posted: Tue Jan 07, 2014 7:42 pm
by alexandermclaren
One word ,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,, awesome wee car :D :D

Re: Morris Minor series 11 1953. Newly Aquired.

Posted: Tue Jan 07, 2014 7:48 pm
by samuria
you lucky chap...
looks good as it is.. even the seat
is'nt out of place.. :wink:

Re: Morris Minor series 11 1953. Newly Aquired.

Posted: Tue Jan 07, 2014 7:53 pm
by busguy
Great looking vehicle!
Is it one of the early OHV cars, or one the last of the sidevalves?

Re: Morris Minor series 11 1953. Newly Aquired.

Posted: Tue Jan 07, 2014 7:53 pm
by irmscher
Nice car :D

Re: Morris Minor series 11 1953. Newly Aquired.

Posted: Tue Jan 07, 2014 8:24 pm
by Morris Mike
Not very comfortable to sit on and drive.

A good second hand seat with good foam would be better.

When you get a bit older you want comfort. :D :D :D :D

M.M

Re: Morris Minor series 11. 1953. New Home Found.

Posted: Tue Jan 07, 2014 11:07 pm
by mbo145
Wow great original car!
I think you will find an original seat, I bought mine on ebay and another spare one off here!
Yours look like they are in vinyl, also more were made in red, as grey, black and cream cars had red interiors.
Good luck hunting, you can remove the seat upholstery by taking the clips off below, and removing the back, I have done this before, then you can re-stitch and repair the seat, could be worth a go!

Re: Morris Minor series 11 1953. Newly Aquired.

Posted: Tue Jan 07, 2014 11:43 pm
by samuria
Morris Mike wrote:Not very comfortable to sit on and drive.

A good second hand seat with good foam would be better.

When you get a bit older you want comfort. :D :D :D :D

M.M
get a one of those stress less chairs only £700 :lol:

Re: Morris Minor 1953. New Purchase and History.

Posted: Wed Jan 08, 2014 12:32 pm
by ASL642
The original fabric used is called "Rexine" an early vinyl coated cloth not available now.

Lovely original car. :D

Re: Morris Minor 1953. New Purchase and History.

Posted: Wed Jan 08, 2014 12:57 pm
by gtt1951
ASL642 wrote:The original fabric used is called "Rexine" an early vinyl coated cloth not available now.

Lovely original car. :D
I think it still is, from Rohith Furnishing, see
http://www.rohithfurnishing.com/furnish ... pro=Rexine

Also a supplier in the UK - http://www.woolies-trim.co.uk/

Very nice car, by the way - seat looks better condition than my beige one.

Re: Morris Minor 1953. New Purchase and History.

Posted: Wed Jan 08, 2014 1:06 pm
by bmcecosse
Fit a 'secret switch' as soon as possible........and USE it.

Re: Morris Minor 1953. New Purchase and History.

Posted: Wed Jan 08, 2014 1:15 pm
by gtt1951
Errata - Rexine is actually the "paper" type covering on the mill board or hardboard solid headling (also on old Bandalasta picnic boxes).
The seat material is more likely called "leather cloth" and is thicker and more robust.

See here instead -http://www.martrim.co.uk/catalogue/vini ... loths.html

Re: Morris Minor 1953. New Purchase and History.

Posted: Wed Jan 08, 2014 4:06 pm
by ian.mcdougall
From sales receipt and test cert it says 800 cc so I assume its the 803cc engine .
The seat looks to be leather to my eyes , the seats had leather facings and vinyl backs and sides, if they are the late series MM style seats . the seat looks the same as mine did in my late series mm when i purchased it and had to replace the front seat covers ( in green though ) .

Re: Morris Minor 1953. New Purchase and History.

Posted: Wed Jan 08, 2014 4:41 pm
by moggiethouable
Lovely old motor.
Buy a Disklok.
I like my vynil seats though.Especially in duo-tone.

Re: Morris Minor 1953. New Purchase and History.

Posted: Wed Jan 08, 2014 5:21 pm
by busguy
Hi Ian

The photos that narrowed down the engine type were not on the site when I asked the question regarding whether it was a sidevalve or ohv car. :wink:

Re: Morris Minor 1953. New Purchase and History.

Posted: Wed Jan 08, 2014 6:43 pm
by Morris Mike
We have a 1961 Duo Tone Traveller...the seats are in the photo.
Yes the seats are fine but very sixties.

The other photo shows the seats in the series 11 in contrast very late 1940`s /1950`s.
I think I prefer the series 11 seats for looks, but perhaps the later seats for posture.

Concerning the engine....I mentioned that the original 803cc engine had been changed for the later 948cc model in the write up.
This was for reliability of driving and getting spare parts.

The replacement engine has covered about 20,000 miles.
M.M


[frame]Image[/frame][frame]Image[/frame]

Re: Morris Minor 1953. New Purchase and History.

Posted: Wed Jan 08, 2014 9:01 pm
by ian.mcdougall
Sorry busguy my mistake :oops:
Sorry Morris Mike my mistake :oops:

Re: Morris Minor 1953. New Purchase and History.

Posted: Wed Jan 08, 2014 10:50 pm
by Dean
Lovely car.. welcome to the team!

Re: Morris Minor 1953. New Purchase and History.

Posted: Thu Jan 09, 2014 3:52 pm
by smithskids
Nice car I would love it to go with my tourer. :D :D smithskids