Barn find - advice needed

[DGK8]

Hi All, I'm looking for some advice please, as I'm trying to help my Dad clear his property and this includes a Morris 1000 that's been sat untouched for 40+ years in a barn. Any guidance would be great on how to value the car and anything I need to know/do so I can see if someone might be interested in buying and collecting.

Thanks in advance!

[Bowie69]

A location would really help members assess whether they are prospective purchasers!

Honestly, in that state they aren't worth a huge amount, maybe £1K to the right buyer? Worth checking ebay for sold items to see what they went for.

[busguy]

Reg number 15 BKK is not shown on DVLA as live on a vehicle. May be on a retention certificate, which is not shown on DVLA, or may be void.
15 BKK was originally a September 1957 registration in Kent which matches up with the vehicle, by the look of the photo. It might be better than it looks, but advertise it inviting offers, and see what response you get. Carefully save any tax discs, receipts, old log books, and correspondence you might find to prove the vehicle's identity, and if the vehicle is restorable, the asset of its reg number is worth keeping, if DVLA accept the proof.

[geoberni]

Well that's quite a 'find' even if your Dad know it was there for the past 40+ years.
The market is strangely fluctuating at the moment, looking at ebay in recent months, some are fetching high prices and some quite low, whatever their condition.

The more history you have, the more serious purchasers will be interested, especially the registration documents, because without those DVLA can be very difficult when it comes to registrations.
That could well be the original registration as it isn't live on the DVLA system; getting it reactivated is far easier with an old log book.
The car looks to be from between 56-63 and that Reg plate is the right format for the period, even though it is a 1970s reflective plate.

The more pictures the better, especially places like the underside and engine bay.

[simmitc]

It's dirty, but beyond that, very difficult to assess the condition, It's obviously going to need some work before it can be used - tyres, brakes, clean fuel system, change oil, generally service engine; but once done, I'd be surprised if it didn't start. Suspension will need greasing and possibly bushes changing, dampers will need an oil change. The big question is the structure and how sound or otherwise it is; and we just can't see enough from the two photos.

If the structure is sound then the items listed above are simple and relatively inexpensive to do. If it needs a lot of welding, then more time and money.

Do you have the logbook for it? It's not known to the DVLA, and so will need to be registered. If you have the log book or other papers, then relatively straightforward. If no papers, then it will need a new number.

Depending on your location, it may be best to see if someone from your local branch of the MMOC could pop round and look at the car with you.

[jagnut66]

As above, more photo's showing the condition of the floors and chassis rails / crossmembers / sills / boot floor area.
Plus the above point about the log book, this needs to be up to date in terms of the cars current registration given the above comment.
Best wishes,
Mike.

[myoldjalopy]

A plus point - its an early 1000 with an unmolested dashboard, very rare nowadays.................but, oh dear about the steering wheel

[DGK8]

Thank you to everyone who has posted so far - incredibly helpful.

I think it's very unlikely that I will uncover log books or other documentation, so may have to go down the route of new registration?

Following one suggestion to ask someone from a local branch to have a look, I have had a glance at the regional branches but am unsure how to contact. The car is in Kent (roughly Ashford area). Any ideas?

Thanks again

Hannah

[simmitc]

I will send you an email with contact details for the Kent area branches.

[jagnut66]

I think it's very unlikely that I will uncover log books or other documentation, so may have to go down the route of new registration?

Perhaps someone on here (or the person from the local branch you contact) would be able to help you with re-registering it, as in explaining what information the DVLA would require and what might help you to retain the original registration on the car, if it's possible.
Best wishes,
Mike.

[Clayton James]

Wow, this car is decaying. I think it will take some time for you to finish it.

[MsRose]

I now have this vehicle and would be really grateful if the original poster might contact me.

Just to advise that the reg isn't from 1957 and isn't the original from the car. It would be lovely to piece info together as all seems lost at the moment.

[ManyMinors]

Congratulations on acquiring this car. The colour (Turquoise) is very unusual and distinctive. I had a 1956 Minor in that colour some years ago and never saw many. Mine had the same light grey interior.

What makes you think that the registration number is not original? The series BKK preceded by numbers was indeed issued by Kent County Council from September 1957. BKK FOLLOWED by numbers was issued from June 1934.

Good luck with the restoration. It would be great to see the car restored to its former glory.

[MsRose]

Thanks ManyMinors

I love the colour, but thought it was clipper blue until the heritage certificate came through.

The reason I stated that the reg is not the original one is because it has been confirmed by the MMOC that it is not the car's original registration and dates back to I think 1937, or 1931...... I can't quiet remember as I do not have the email with me.

[svenedin]

A plus point - its an early 1000 with an unmolested dashboard, very rare nowadays.................but, oh dear about the steering wheel

That's easily changed. It was probably a youngster's car once upon a time. Mine was but at 17 I was already an old fogey so I didn't want to change anything! :

I think the interior has been eaten by mice and that is not a major issue to renew. If you ever try to get it going I would be very careful to check that the rodents haven't had a good chew at the wiring.

Stephen

[ManyMinors]

Thanks ManyMinors

The reason I stated that the reg is not the original one is because it has been confirmed by the MMOC that it is not the car's original registration and dates back to I think 1937, or 1931...... I can't quiet remember as I do not have the email with me.

The MMOC are mistaken. Such information is not difficult to check. It would be a 1930s registration number if the numbers followed the letters.
Your registration is what is known as a reversal which is what the authorities had to do once all the registration numbers with numbers AFTER the letters had been used up: E.g. BKK999 would have been followed by CKK1 etc etc until the whole series expired. Then they would have started on reversals such as AKK1 etc etc.

[MsRose]

Manyminors your info has been brilliant! I got in touch with Kent CC today and they have indeed traced the car! I have sent you a private message.

[Maria1959morris]

It'll surprise you how clean it come up with some hot water and sponge nice dash ditch the steering wheel good luck with the project maynot be as bad as it looks don't forget post pics when powerwashed all best

[myoldjalopy]

Yes, first thing I would do is ditch that dreadful steering wheel, its gross! What were they thinking?
Car will be great when its finished though.

[philthehill]

The steering wheel is not dreadful. It is a period modification.
The first thing I had to do on my Minor was replace the steering wheel as the banjo type wheel collapsed when driving hard. I fitted a nice Motolita wood rimmed wheel which are now sought after for fitting to Minors.