Morris Minor Owners Club

Hi, I have recently got a 1959 Traveller, what I'm wondering is, should it have doors on the glove boxes? One side, both sides? Hope someone can help please, cheers

they changed several times in the late 50's /early 60's and one change around 1959 was the return to open glove boxes. See Ray Newell's book for details.

Both sides should have glove box lids, I believe. The return to open glove boxes was a little later.

Ray Newell's book states: glove box lids [both sides - with bright plated lid finisher] introduced February '59. Car no. 693589 (Traveller) and 695736 (saloon/convertible)

And Minor 1000s earlier than that also had lids (albeit slightly different) so as I said, a '59 car should have glove box lids

My apologies. Liammonty is correct. The Feb 1959 info refers to modified glove box lids (with bright finishers). Would seem that twin lids without finishers were fitted from the start of Minor 1000 production. Modified as above, then disappeared again during 1961 for a while.

Great thanks, what's the title of Ray Newells book please. I have seen on e bay several glove box doors, are they all the same basic shape, but with different fittings, such as handles, trim etc?

Should have holes on the bottom lip if originally fitted?

Ray Newell's book is 'Original Morris Minor'.

If your car had a drivers side lid and it's missing I wouldn't hunt too hard for one. They are quite fiddly behind the wheel and potentally dangerous when driving. I took the drivers one off my 61 for some wiring work and it has never gone back.

BaldyTone wrote: I have seen on e bay several glove box doors, are they all the same basic shape, but with different fittings, such as handles, trim etc?

Be cautious. 1956 to 1959 are one style. 1959 to 1961 look very similar but are different, being lined on their inner face. 1964 onwards are different again, having a more curved profile and were fitted passenger side only.

Agree with ianmack. Drivers' side glovebox lid is a pain. Only opens about halfway coz of steering column. Difficult and distracting to find things inside it whilst driving. If you've got an old mono radio you want to fit, its the ideal place for the speaker and I believe was recommended as such by BMC themselves.

The pre 1959 ones are fairly difficult to find - the lined and chrome finished ( I think with a supporting sliding bevel) are more difficult.

A pair of the early ones in need of tic were recently sold on E bay

http://www.auto-part.com/britcatalogs/m ... =1&page=33 for £45

This illustrates the differences and I thing what you want is Part No 81 and if everyone else is right 82 and 83 as well for the plastic chrome effect trims

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/CLASSIC-LEATH ... Sw3gJZNCYY

There is nothing "plastic chrome effect" on the glove box lids. As has already been said, early 1959 cars had a pair of plain lids fitted (upto chassis number 693589). After that, a slightly different and smarter lid was fitted which featured separate chrome plated hinges, a chromed brass surround trim, a liner trimmed in headlining material and, on the passenger side, a stay which held the open lid flat to act as a small shelf for a drink etc. The catches were also altered. Someone suggests that the holes will be present if the lids were originally fitted. This is incorrect. All cars (but not commercials) of this age had the lids and even the the later models built (llate 1961) once the lids were deleted still had the holes present in the dashboard pressing.

Both these types of lid are regularly for sale on ebay, autojumbles or at the many specialists etc. They shouldn't be too hard to find.

Out of interest, is the Traveller you've bought the blue one recently for sale in Yorkshire listed on ebay? I only ask because that one had a glovebox lid missing.

Many Minors, thank you for the kind, if rather blunt, corrections i have ordered my hair shirts, cilices and flagellation kit