Mend and Make Do: Morris Minor MM or Series 2 glove box lid

[jagnut66]

Hi,
I just thought I'd share this simple fix with you.
I have a spare Morris Minor MM or Series 2 glove box lid, which I bought off eBay, hence why I have no idea of it's origins.
I refused to pay allot for it as it had one major defect.....
A snapped off hinge (no idea what happened to the other half).
Anyway I thought "I know how to fix that"......
Now this may be something you could find on other peoples cars but for those who might be otherwise budgeting for a (not so cheap these days) secondhand replacement, here's an alternative:

Morris Minor MM or Series 2 glove box lid hinge repair 1.JPG (767.57 KiB) Viewed 52 times

Spotted it? Yes, an ordinary small door hinge.
I was lucky to have this old thing lying around, rusting quietly, until I repurposed it. But these are still available new at the likes of B & Q or online. I simply used a flap disc on my grinder to remove the rust from the surfaces to be welded together beforehand.

Morris Minor MM or Series 2 glove box lid hinge repair 2.JPG (702.18 KiB) Viewed 52 times

Morris Minor MM or Series 2 glove box lid hinge repair 3.JPG (1.14 MiB) Viewed 52 times

Now I will remove the rust from the other side and then rub it all down and prime it, prior to it being returned to the correct (or as near as possible) gold colour.
The hinge measures (approx) 3" wide and each half is 3/4" deep. I also used the flap disc to remove the sharp corners but you don't have to do that, it's just personal preference.

Hinge measurements 1.JPG (395.51 KiB) Viewed 52 times

Hinge measurements 2.JPG (144.93 KiB) Viewed 52 times

The hinge opens and closes exactly as per the original, plus once it's installed someone looking into your car will never know it has been repaired.
Saves on that expensive replacement and I do like a bit of 'Mend and Make Do'.
Best wishes,
Mike.

PS: I'm sure this would work on later Minor 1000 lids as well.

[exlkrs]

Well done matey! All for things like this to keep stuff going. My modern classic (MG Express Van) had a plastic sill end cap missing - still obtainable at mega money. Made one out of a roadkill Transit bumper end cap I found in the gutter - Template of the other side reversed, hacksaw, herself's hairdryer and drilled 3 holes - sorted!