...found this, originally thought it was a '60, now, owner says he thinks it may be a '65, he has to find the ***le...what years did Morris' use this body style?
That is an early Morris Minor 1000, they go from 1956 to 1962.They have whats known as Clap-hand wiper that meet in the middle of the screen, a carry over from the Splitscreen Series 2.They also have small front sidelights as that has and smallish all red taillights, that it has also.Should have a 948cc ''A'' series engine too.So I'd say it is more like a 1960 model.Hope this is of use! They all really look very similar, only one thats really diifferent is the Low-Light, the very firt of the post-war Minors, but I don't think you got that one in the States, something to do with headlights being too low. Nick.
It's a sedan,they never had coupes in the Minor shape. 2 and 4 Door sedans,Tourer(convertible)Pick ups,Utes,and Vans but no coupes. great engineering in a Morris,study it and see what simplicity there is in the whole car.
Kieth, You're right VERY early Minor 1000 and VERY late Series 2. I had a '62 Van, which was an early cab and late van body.You know what British car makers were like they'd use up the old stuff, before they'd make new stuff.The Low-light have a 4'' fillet in the bumpers, because they'd already made the bumpers before they decided to widen the Minor by those 4'', pre production! ****!, do I sound like an anorak!!!!!! Nick.
I believe they call 'em Coupes in Australia! AHH those simple days of ******* about with Morris Minors OH HOW I long for them again!!!!! Nick.
MrG***er, Sweet find, as your name sake...... G*** it. there may be two of them at the HAMB drags this year, get out the gas ax and make it three.... mine is known as the Mokan Morris 10.50's hurry up, you dont have much time. Roach
im building a g***ered one over here in the uk and it should be pretty mad to match its owner bahhh Roach you havent got any build up photos or front end and engine bay pics that you could pm have you??!! thanks in advance
I have a MM ute and an MM 4 door for parts. The ute will run a Rover alloy V8. Seen many with this swap down under. .
You ever met Bernard O'Brian? He had the first in NZ,with vauxhall FC front end etc and a really mad pschyodelic paint scheme. He looked like your typical chartered accountant and was the only guy I ever saw who went to a Hot Rod Social in a suit and tie! . But,get him behind the wheel and suddenly he's Walter Mitty! ,man that thing was Quick!.
Nick ,I live here in OZ and have never heard of one called a coupe yet. maybe new owners call them that because the motor transport papers require all two door cars to be called coupes in Australia,whether or not the description fits the car. And forget all thast boring g***er ********,the best use of a Morris is fast road driving. Such as this,the Morrari,a lo Lite with a Ferrari Super Squalo Ch***is (F1!) and Corvette Engine. I raced a lolite in later years after this pic was taken with the same body but on a homemade full ch***is.
Nice find looks like my bud's back in late 60;s the first car I put in a ditch very Deep ! tow truck cost as much as the car did {well he was the one teaching me how to drive} paid him back with a bunch of busted knuckles on his 55 Chev
Yes, T-Bone, I was lucky enough to find a rare factory option COPO version. Roach - Maybe this will be the year we finally go head to head at MoKan.....
It has the stock drivetrain in it still, but laying in the back seat is another head, supposedly a "big port" head, with a twin side draft carb set-up...
These are my project cars for someday.... I would like to build the woodie like the one in the drawing. Not a big fan of British powertrains. Sold my MG midget 1275 because I will use Ford parts. I have in the garage 2.0, 2.3, 2.3 turbo, 2.8 V6, 3.0 V6. I had 2 Minors in the past and regretted selling them. These are not for sale this time. Morris Minors of this body style were sold in the US thru 1967. Early ones were the lolite models, later the headlites were raised but the grill was still the mesh style, then they went to the slat style later. Google the Minormania web site for more specific info.
MrG***er, Don't even mess with that stuff,,,,, just go for it, build a frame and small block it... Here's a pic of the parts car I found after me and my buddy took a little out of the top. I would love to put the front end up,,, but with the top chop don't think it would look good. I'm thinking bout 49 flat head with the pipes comming out right over the front tires and leave it low. I have the motor, something different I know where two more are sitting. jangleguy, that would be worth the price of admision...ha ha. I read the story in the mag bout your little trip to B.Ville, that was a great write up. I wish my car was even near that streetable, maybe with a bunch of tuneing. post some pic's for everybody, nice job done there. here's a pic of my parts car. Roach
There a pretty cool little car, fun and cheap. Drop a modern turbo 4 banger in it and it would fly! Or do this...... Doc.
I had a few of these in the 60's when going to high school (a convertable and a woody) and found that you can bolt in MG engines (dual carbs) and running gear and by swapping hubs you can use the wire wheels, the front suspension is torsion bars and can be lowered real easy. Used them to haul parts for my flathead projects.
Dirtynails, I LIKE that Low-light!I'm sure I read that you Australians called 'em Coupes in a Custom Minor book I had a while back, so maybe only term used by us Hot Rod types! Nick.
I've been into hot-rodding in Australia since I was a kid in the 60's. I've owned three of these cars (1948 MM sidevalve (low-light); early hi-light 2 door sedanwith split screen ; early hi-light 4-door sedan, again split screen). These early hi-lights had the "A" series motor with capacity of a whopping 803cc. . The 1000 came later with full screen and 948cc motor. The 4-door had twin 1.25" SU's , Morris Major brakes on the front (much bigger drums) and a high speed (Sprite) diff. Good for cruising at 65-75 mph. I have never heard of the 2-door being called a coupe here in Oz. I think a bit of artistic/journalistic licence was being used if that is what you read.
I have never heard of the 2-door being called a coupe here in Oz. I think a bit of artistic/journalistic licence was being used if that is what you read.[/quote] Thats what being to think too! Nick.