Morris Minor Owners Club

Any ideas please as to what shade blue this is? It’s a 1959 2 door registered in August that year with newer rear lights fitted. I think the colour is original and is behind panels and dashboard etc with no evidence of a re-spray. All the MMOC records show the only blue used at that time was Clipper or Turquoise and it’s clearly neither of those. Trafalgar wasn’t used until several years later. I would like to keep it original but what colour is it?

In my opinion the colour is definitely NOT original any more than the (later model) interior is - or the registration number for that matter.
It may (or may not) be a later British Leyland colour but that doesn't really matter either way if originality is your goal. It is certainly none of the standard offerings you mention. It must have received an unusually thorough paint job if no sign of the original remains! A Heritage Certificate from Gaydon should reveal all

Could be a BL colour called Pageant Blue. I painted a pickup that colour in the 80s.

Then again, I am colourblind.......

Definitely not a Morris/BMC colour. I have seen a Morrises in that colour but definitely not original. Zooming in on the picture shows it could have been brush painted or spray can painted in the not too distant past. Were Marina's and Maxi's not available in similar colour ?

The nearest (somewhat later) British Leyland colour I can recall is Tahiti Blue. Used on Marinas and Allegros and everything else in the Austin/Morris range in the mid/late 1970s. It could be anything though.
IF the OP is trying to get it matched he'll have to take a sample to a paint shop and obtain the closest he can find.
If he wants it original, he'll have trace what colour it was originally

Around the rear window rubber the paint showing in the picture is not blue, lift the rubber and check. Or rub off a small section of paint were it's not going to be visible and see what's under the blue.

Bill_qaz wrote: ↑Wed Sep 20, 2023 11:54 pm Around the rear window rubber the paint showing in the picture is not blue, lift the rubber and check. Or rub off a small section of paint were it's not going to be visible and see what's under the blue.

That might just be grey primer showing, after a 'windows in' respray. My car has little bits like that showing if I look closely enough...

Interesting one. Cut my teeth in BMC bodyshops, but a little earlier than me. At first sight, I'd say Riviera Blue. Used on Spridgets but slightly later.

Thanks for all your helpful comments everybody. It has confirmed for me that it is not an original colour and I now have to decide which 1959 colour to go for. I'm leaning towards Clipper Blue if I can't find any darker blue colour from that period.

If you want a darker blue from the range in that era, try Island or Mineral Blue BU 8&9

Neither of those were offered on the Minor 1000 however. In period, Island Blue was an Austin colour seen on the A35, A55 etc. Mineral Blue was an MG colour and also offered on the Wolseley 1500. Nothing wrong with using a different colour but, as you say, you're very restricted if you stick with a period Morris offering. Colours are very much a personal thing but I think Clipper Blue is very attractive shade on a Minor. Turquoise too is very striking

Strange boot lock and it looks like the speedo and steering wheel have also been changed. Not too much originality there either!

The boot handle has simply come out of the escutcheon I think. The speedo and banjo steering wheel look correct for a 1959 car as far as I can see

Back to my corner with the dunce hat I go!