Morris Minor Owners Club

Hi,

I’ve been having trouble getting the ignition key into my ignition/steering lock barrel. The lock is marked Neiman 66. Does anyone know if the Neiman type locks from ESM are a direct replacement and any good?

Many thanks

Andrew

As far as I am aware the originals did not have a steering lock.
This is a replacement I think.
The original Morris key has a number, usually 3 digit stamped on them, if you dont have that then thats further proof its not original.
I wonder if the key also fits the boot? or indeed the door?
My original works in all 3 cases.
So you may be better looking up Neiman, or indeed talk to ESM.
It may also be the key?
Maybe a new key if it is numbered.

Hi,

It may not be original but I have read that vans and pickups did come with the steering column lock. I’ve found a second hand one of the same model but very expensive. The switch contact block is removable but the key barrel is not.

The keys are a mid match all round so I’m not too bothered about that. I’ll try the Neiman type from ESM.

Thanks

Andrew

The Neiman ignition/steering locks were fitted late in production to the Traveller, van and pick up models. Also to some export cars earlier on.

moggiethouable wrote: ↑Sat Nov 15, 2025 3:08 pm As far as I am aware the originals did not have a steering lock.

There are 3 different Lock Assy illustrated in the Parts List, but none of them have any commencement chassis number, not even with a caveat for any particular overseas market, so from that I assume it must have been an Optional Item....

'Original Morris Minor' states that from Jan 71 they were 'used on some Travellers', and that they were 'found earlier on certain export models'... so all a bit vague.
Why the need for 3 different ones in the Parts Book?
That would presumably indicate a reasonable elapsed time from the first to the last being fitted?

Fantastic thanks Berni. I have ordered number 28 from ESM.

Cheers

Andrew

All interesting stuff.
I hadn't realised you had a van, having missed the word pickup in your title, but even then was not aware (as a none van owner) they were fitted with locks as standard.
It makes sense when considering a van would have been loaded with valuable and nickable stuff.
To quote Lyndsay Porters book,
"1971, During the last months of production some of the vehicles assembled at the Morris Commercial Cars plant at Adderley Park , Birmingham were fitted with steering column ignition locks"
An education, every day is a school day.

The pickup would have been very easily nickable as it turned out. The lock is held on by two shear bolts that were just over finger tight and hadn’t been snapped off. An 8th turn from a 7/16 spanner and it was free.
Once on the bench I again struggled to get the key into the barrel. The replacement from ESM is a pattern part but hopefully it’ll fit without issue and be more reliable.
Twice we got a bit stuck on petrol station forecourts unable to get the key into the ignition and stuck with the steering lock engaged.