1954 Morris Minor Series II *Sold £4,500*

Description

• Photo album of restoration
• File of MOTs and invoices
• Part of a well-kept collection since 2009
• Number plate valued at c£1,000 remains with the Morris

Whether you’re a long time classic owner or looking for your first classic, few cars fit the bill better than a Morris Minor. Full of charm, usability and easy to live with. The Minor is one of the most popular cars ever created. There is no sign of that popularity diminishing, quite the reverse.

The Minor is near the top of many classic car buyers’ wish lists. Throw in superb club and specialist support plus its enduring appeal and it is easy to see why.

The Morris Minor made its debut back in 1948. It rightly established itself as a benchmark. The last Minor drove off the production line 23 years later in 1971.

The Series II models, launched in 1952, combined all the original design purity of the ’48 original. The simple yet elegant dashboard. The split windscreen and, of course, ‘cheese grater’ grille. The numbers of these early ‘50s cars are dropping now. That drop is increasing desirability.

History

This is an early example of a 1954 Morris Minor Series II saloon.

• First registered 8 July 1954
• Restored in the late 1990s/early Noughties
• Photo album detailing the restoration
• MOT certificates from 1989 to 2008 (1990 & 1991 absent)
• Tax discs from 1993 to 2010 (only 1995 absent)
• Always kept in dry storage by current owner
• Recent work, with receipts

Since its restoration this Morris Minor has led a cosseted existence. This is especially true in the period it has been with our collector.

He acquired the Minor in 2009. The MOT history in 2008 shows the mileage was 62,477. Now it shows 62,549.

Inside

• Excellent condition
• Maroon leather seats with white piping
• Tartan Red carpet
• First rate headlining

The interior keeps the elegant original simplicity imagined by the genius of Issigonis. The dashboard is a model of art deco design.

Complementing that very well restored dash is the expensively restored original marble effect bakelite steering wheel. It was only completed this summer by Paul from Steering Wheel Restoration. Take a look in our Image Gallery. It is a delight.

The retrimmed Maroon seats are in great shape. The minimal use has preserved them well.

The Morris comes with a matching Tartan Red carpet set which is in very neat condition. The door trims were part of the interior overhaul and along with the chrome door architecture are in great condition. Recently fitted new pedal rubbers complete that lovely interior space.

Pop up the boot lid and you’ll see from the Gallery, the space is all as it should be, including the original tool kit and wood.

Outside

• Rare Gloss Black paintwork with red pin-stripe
• Black steel wheels with chrome hubcaps
• Semaphore-type turn indicators
• Cheese grater style grille

The first impressions are of a carefully owned, well-restored Morris Minor. Poor shut lines can be an indicator of a deeper problem. You should head for the hills if that is the case, quickly. As you can see from the Gallery there are no such concerns with this Morris Minor.

Our vendor has pointed his camera at some age related niggles. The bottom lip of the boot lid is a bit crusty, it doesn’t look incurable. There are also a couple of small areas of bubbling to the lower edge of the nearside front door and upper surface of one rear wing. We would probably leave them as they add an authenticity to this 1954 Minor.

The exterior chrome fittings, boot & bonnet hinges, front and rear bumpers and bonnet mascot are all in good condition as you can see. It is not that common to see Morris Minors finished in gloss Black. It sets off the Maroon interior very well. Overall the effect is rather striking.

The original semaphore-type indicators are also a terrific feature.

Mechanicals

• Recent Service
• Reconditioned A-Series engine
• New Battery

Jump in. Grab the lovely steering wheel. Pull the choke halfway. Not all the way. Flick the key to the right and pull the start knob. Instantly the starter motor collides with the flywheel with that unmistakable high pitched metallic clang. The A-Series turns over and springs into life with a distinct soft burble and a short rasp from the exhaust. Depress your right foot and give the engine some gentle revs as you push the choke in a little. The whole five seconds is an experience.

The engine settles after a few moments and contentedly gets on with its job.

Open the bonnet and in the cavernous engine bay, more suited to a massive V8, nestles the reconditioned MOWOG A-Series. The engine bay itself didn’t escape the attention of the careful restoration. It all looks very good.

The engine is clean and dry. Many original features have been preserved as you can see. We don’t always see this level or period of originality.

The vendor believes that as part of the car’s restoration a reconditioned 803cc was installed, which has been confirmed by one of the Morris Minor Owner Club’s Technical Advisers who advised on seeing photos of the engine that ‘it’s got all the looks of the 803 engine’. The 803cc OHV engine, of course, is the correct size for a 1954 Morris Minor.

The running gear and suspension we are advised are in all in good condition. A new master cylinder along with wheel cylinders and brake shoes were fitted recently.

Our vendor has advised that an MOT will be put on the car shortly, so that should give bidders peace of mind.

Our view

Charming, charismatic and fun, bags of it. Anyone will tell you how much fun these cars are to own. People will smile, wave and even give way at junctions. When you stop they are guaranteed to want a chat.

In a collection since 2009, the only reason this Morris Minor Series II is coming to market is to make physical space for some new classics.

It has been well looked after and well sorted. The mass of MOT’s and invoices support that. Even without them our Gallery images tell you what you need to know.

There is a reason they are probably the most popular classic car to own. Every enthusiast should own a Morris Minor at some point.

Vehicle Location: Bracknell, Berkshire RG42 – it’s the responsibility of the buyer to make collection / transportation arrangements directly with the vendor.

Have a question about this Morris Minor? Please contact the Evoke team at auction@evoke-classics.com and we will speak to the vendor on your behalf.

Guide Prices?

We’re different. But you know that. And we’re always honest. In a sector where no two classics are same, how does anyone put a ‘guide’.

Well, everyone knows the broad value of classic, let’s all be honest. So we don’t need to tell you what you already know, do we.

The ‘market’ decides and the old cliché that ‘it’s worth what someone wants to pay’ is no less true. So why kid everyone!

But, because we are different, if it really does matter to you, that’s fine, we want you to be happy. Just drop us a line at auction@evoke-classics.com and one of us will be delighted to ring you back and discuss, it’s what we do.

Tedious but it’s vital you read this, please.

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