Morris Minor Owners Club

Hello,
How do you know if a car has previously had welding done?

I was under the impression that Nellie hadn’t had any… at least that’s what I was told… but someone recently commented on one of my YT vids (where I did a little walk around) ‘it’s had loads of welding done’
I did reply asking ‘how can you tell’ and the vague response was ‘I could see when you put the camera under the car’

I can’t see obvious signs of welding myself but what do I know

Curious to know how you actually tell!

If pics would help please let me know, I can upload tomorrow

Welding can come in all degrees of neatness, from factory finish to blobs of random metal. If you see welding that looks uneven it is more likely to be a repair of some sort. However if you are unsure, sometimes you can tell if welding has been done if you see a weld on one side of the car but not an identical weld on the other.

les wrote: ↑Tue May 19, 2026 6:13 pm Welding can come in all degrees of neatness, from factory finish to blobs of random metal. If you see welding that looks uneven it is more likely to be a repair of some sort. However if you are unsure, sometimes you can tell if welding has been done if you see a weld on one side of the car but not an identical weld on the other.

Thanks for answering. I don’t see anything… but of course I’m not entirely sure what I’m looking at

If it’s dry tomorrow I’ll try and have a better look. Not that it particularly matters if she has - I’m sure most cars her age have! But I just like to know my car’s history as much as I can

Last time mine was restored, the restorer pointed out the difference between the previos work done by Charles Ware apprentices (which he said was fine structurally, but not neat) and his own

Basically CW welding was -o-o-o-o-o-o- (blobs) and his was ------------------

Chief wrote: ↑Tue May 19, 2026 8:46 pm Last time mine was restored, the restorer pointed out the difference between the previos work done by Charles Ware apprentices (which he said was fine structurally, but not neat) and his own

Basically CW welding was -o-o-o-o-o-o- (blobs) and his was ------------------

Haha really! I’m quite sure Nell hasn’t had any, she was garaged for over 25 years!
But I’m curious to have a poke about.
I wonder if the viewer spotted the thick underseal and mistook it for welding?

Can we see the video?

Stephen

What a nice looking car! It is very unlikely to be as original as you think. Not surprising after so many years. The crazing and blistering on the paintwork is generally found in non-original paintwork and certainly the underside shows that quite a bit of welding has previously been carried out around the rear spring mountings and floor edges. Again - not surprising, and all looks sound enough. Hope you continue to enjoy the car

ManyMinors wrote: ↑Wed May 20, 2026 8:03 am What a nice looking car! It is very unlikely to be as original as you think. Not surprising after so many years. The crazing and blistering on the paintwork is generally found in non-original paintwork and certainly the underside shows that quite a bit of welding has previously been carried out around the rear spring mountings and floor edges. Again - not surprising, and all looks sound enough. Hope you continue to enjoy the car

Oh really! I assumed the paintwork was original (except for the bonnet which I know has been resprayed) but what you say makes sense.

I’ll have a look around those areas and see if I can spot where the welding has been done… again it’s not an issue, she’s nice and solid, but I’m just curious to know! Thanks!

Most of these old cars have had at least some welding done by now - and if they haven't, they are in dire need of it!

mrs.smith2012 wrote: ↑Wed May 20, 2026 8:25 am

ManyMinors wrote: ↑Wed May 20, 2026 8:03 am What a nice looking car! It is very unlikely to be as original as you think. Not surprising after so many years. The crazing and blistering on the paintwork is generally found in non-original paintwork and certainly the underside shows that quite a bit of welding has previously been carried out around the rear spring mountings and floor edges. Again - not surprising, and all looks sound enough. Hope you continue to enjoy the car

Oh really! I assumed the paintwork was original (except for the bonnet which I know has been resprayed) but what you say makes sense.

I’ll have a look around those areas and see if I can spot where the welding has been done… again it’s not an issue, she’s nice and solid, but I’m just curious to know! Thanks!

Its welding or paint repairs are part of its history, embrace them don't worry about them. As long as its structurally sound just drive and enjoy. If you are happy with your purchase why care what anybody else comments, its not their car you will be adding to its history as you carry out repairs during your ownership.

Bill_qaz wrote: ↑Wed May 20, 2026 11:58 am why care what anybody else comments, its not their car

My comments were not to criticise the lady's car. She seemed to want clarification of whether it had received welding repairs in the past. I can see that it has. So has mine. So have most of them by now

ManyMinors wrote: ↑Wed May 20, 2026 2:16 pm

Bill_qaz wrote: ↑Wed May 20, 2026 11:58 am why care what anybody else comments, its not their car

My comments were not to criticise the lady's car. She seemed to want clarification of whether it had received welding repairs in the past. I can see that it has. So has mine. So have most of them by now

Correct me if I’m wrong but I don’t think Bill was referring to what you said, more likely the comment on YT which although wasn’t rude, wasn’t put quite as politely as yours

You guys are all right though, whether she’s had welding or repairs, or a respray… doesn’t really matter in the grand scheme of things! I’m just curious to know. Her previous owner bought her off the widow of the man who owned her before he did… so much of the history has been lost unfortunately. He could only really go by what he had been told

ManyMinors wrote: ↑Wed May 20, 2026 2:16 pm

Bill_qaz wrote: ↑Wed May 20, 2026 11:58 am why care what anybody else comments, its not their car

My comments were not to criticise the lady's car. She seemed to want clarification of whether it had received welding repairs in the past. I can see that it has. So has mine. So have most of them by now

I was referring to the comments made about the op youtube video that she referred to in her post.
Not a comment made by yourself.
I hope this clarifies my response