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What is this ?

Posted: Fri Aug 07, 2026 2:40 pm
by RustAndMagic
So I got this (see picture) with my Morris (1958), it was loose in the glove compartment, it has double sided tape on one side so I assume it goes on the circular area on the inside left side of the glove compartment door.

It is a small "box", it will open, I thought it might be a makeup mirror maybe but there is no trace of any reflective material inside it, just a transparent lid, any idea what it is ? cannot find anything in the user manual about it either.
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Re: What is this ?

Posted: Fri Aug 07, 2026 3:43 pm
by 59Elva
Looks like a base that came with my GPS for use with a suction cup mount. Many more modern cars have textured nonmagnetic interior surfaces that won’t grip by either method. In my previous KIA I filled a musket cap tin with lead shot and put the weighted base in the cup holder with the suction cup.

Re: What is this ?

Posted: Fri Aug 07, 2026 8:09 pm
by RustAndMagic
Ok, that is possible, I guess nothing that belongs there then, I thought it might be something that was supposed to be there as it does look very old and scratched

Re: What is this ?

Posted: Fri Aug 07, 2026 9:11 pm
by geoberni
Well that matching shape inside the glovebox door isn't standard AFAIA, it was just plain metal ....

Re: What is this ?

Posted: Fri Aug 07, 2026 10:13 pm
by simmitc
The inside of the lid as pictured would normally have a solid insert that finished flush with the edge, and there would be a chrome strip round the outside. As noted, the round feature is ot standard.

Re: What is this ?

Posted: Fri Aug 07, 2026 11:25 pm
by 59Elva
Hiding spot for a spare key perhaps? Although I would think the glove box would be the first place a thief would search.
What are these tax discs I keep reading about over there?

Re: What is this ?

Posted: Sat Aug 08, 2026 10:18 am
by Bill_qaz
Physical UK road tax discs were officially abolished and stopped being issued on October 1, 2014, after 93 years of use. Vehicle tax is now entirely digital and tracked electronically via GOV.UK Vehicle Tax using automatic number plate recognition.
We have to pay an annual Vehicle Excise Duty a government tax to use a vehicle on the road. This becomes free when vehicle is 40 years old (classic car) but still has to be applied for annually.
To obtain VED you must have valid insurance and MOT (an annual safety inspection certificate) again except if over 40 years old.
The tax disc in its day had to be display in the windscreen on passenger side.
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Re: What is this ?

Posted: Sat Aug 08, 2026 10:22 am
by geoberni
simmitc wrote: Fri Aug 07, 2026 10:13 pm The inside of the lid as pictured would normally have a solid insert that finished flush with the edge, and there would be a chrome strip round the outside. As noted, the round feature is ot standard.
That Lid version didn't come in until '59.

I researched the timeline for glovebox lids, going from the parts applicability in the Parts Lists.
Minor Glovebox Timeline.JPG
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Re: What is this ?

Posted: Sat Aug 08, 2026 10:48 am
by Bill_qaz
Mine October 1962 series 5 and I have lids on both sides . They look both original fitment.
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Re: What is this ?

Posted: Sun Aug 09, 2026 2:38 pm
by moggiethouable
Mine is a 1965 with the glovebox lid only on the passenger side.
I always thought the opening lid on the drivers side a bit odd and awkward to open/close with the steering wheel in the way.
Particularly as the magnetic catches age and the lids can pop open uninvited at a moments notice.

Re: What is this ?

Posted: Sun Aug 09, 2026 3:35 pm
by Bill_qaz
moggiethouable wrote: Sun Aug 09, 2026 2:38 pm Mine is a 1965 with the glovebox lid only on the passenger side.
I always thought the opening lid on the drivers side a bit odd and awkward to open/close with the steering wheel in the way.
Particularly as the magnetic catches age and the lids can pop open uninvited at a moments notice.
Berni's illustration shows yours will be post facelift so no lid drivers side. Do you have key start and silver around the speedo like his picture.
What magnetic catch? MIne are spring catches and the drivers side has never popped open despite the potholes.

Re: What is this ?

Posted: Sun Aug 09, 2026 7:25 pm
by RustAndMagic
No magnets on mine either, it has a spring catch and it will not open for anything unintended.

Re: What is this ?

Posted: Sun Aug 09, 2026 7:47 pm
by myoldjalopy
The post-Oct '64 lids on the passenger side did have a magnet to keep the lid shut.