Morris Minor Owners Club

Hello everyone,
I have a chance to buy a Traveller, 1969, seems sound underneath, and am very interested. Though off side front wing going rusty at top and bottom. Original, with no mods.
However, inspection of wood caused some concern.
Inside rear left top corner wood appears rotten, only small area but inch and half plus deep hole when prodded.
Near side rail under side windows does not have drain holes for rain, but appears sound.
Offside wood has drain holes.
I realise cost of rewooding will need to be considered, in the future though the car is MOT'd until July next year.
Buyer looking for 3k plus, any thoughts/advice welcome.

IF the car is genuinely in good condition underneath (no rust holes or previous bodging) and decent in all other respects, I wouldn't personally be put-off by "average" woodwork at £3000 or below. What you DON'T want for that price (or any price really) is a car with poor wood AND a poor underside. The cost of replacing all the wood is fairly high, but once it is done.......that's it done . Just make sure that the underbody and inner wings etc really ARE good. Don't worry too much about a rusty outer wing either. They only bolt on and although there is a cost involved, it is a relatively simple job IF the inner wing is sound. Get down there and check first. If all is well, make an offer.

A waistrail without drainholes is a waste of time. When it rains, where's the rain going to go? Inside the car, that's where, and rot the floor out

Thanks for sending post.
I will pop back and check the inner wings to see what the are like.
Appreciate the point about the lack of drain holes on the near side window rail, so I checked the rear floor under seat and rear footwell. Surprised to find it dry. Noticed a bump rubber missing from rear axle near side but guess easy to replace. Had a bang about underneath when jacked up, seems sound, no obvious problems. So it is just the wood.
Thanks again
John,

Sounds a LOT for a car with rotten wood - negotiate down to £2k.....

Just been round and checked the inner wings. They seen sound, poked around with a screw driver , seems solid all round.
However under seal may yet be hiding something. Also double checked wood, near side below side windows, no sign that there had ever been drain holes. Shame about that as could be an early investigation, taking windows out and checking for rot.

Thanks also for comment about cost, above. I think 2k would be fair, so will offer that tonight.
He is putting up on eBay tomorrow.

Post up the link for us please! He has to pay a lot of commission on ebay...... Does it have a NEW MOT ? Any MOT history available? Any worthwhile mods or upgrades fitted ?

Commision for cars on ebay is only £25.00 max

Will send link when he processes it, though probably offer 2K tonight, and if he accepts he will not list. (He said to ring and leave an offer.) MOT not actually seen but understood July 2016. No extras save a battery and temp gauge. Engine original. Unleaded conversion - again not seen paperwork yet though he says he has it somewhere.

Don't put any value on the 'unleaded' conversion.....

Thanks everyone, decided not to go ahead with purchase.

You might live to regret that - solid rust free cars are hard to find these days.
I see that at £2500 car at least.

Yes I agree, but hey ho, I felt really bad about it.

You can check if it has an MOT on the DVLA website

You did right, if you have any doubts about a vehicle walk away, they'll always be another. Act in haste repent at leisure!

Is it on ebay now?

No it is not on eBay.
Seller found buyer who restores traveller wood, so it has gone.
It will no doubt be advertised in the near future.
Registration ORH895F.
So the car was local to Beverley.

And thanks for the comment about not acting in haste. I am much more informed now and will still be looking.
Great to get such good feedback to my posts, thanks everyone.