1956 Morris Minor Series 2

Built on the 2nd and 3rd of January 1956 and bought by the current owner as an unfinished project, this early series 2, split-screen Morris Minor Traveller has been the subject of a loving two-year rotisserie restoration which was completed in April 2018. It has just been run-in since then and is being offered with no known faults.

The restoration included a number of sensitive and entirely period-appropriate retro-updates to the suspension and braking systems, as well as a fully rebuilt 1098cc engine and gearbox. As a result, the car drives, handles and stops much better than any standard car ever did and helps turn it into something that could be used on a daily basis or for long-distance touring.

Several panels were repaired or replaced, including new door bottoms and rear wings. However, the original bonnet, doors, and inner wings have been reused. We like this approach; while it would have probably been easier and cheaper to just fit new ones, an important part of the car’s provenance would have been lost in the process. The owner is clearly a man of impeccable taste, as well as great skill.

The car was then professionally resprayed in the original Sandy Beige, a very attractive shade reminiscent of something that Farrow and Ball might produce! It’s a high-quality job and the finish, along with the panel alignment, is superb. There is a minor blemish to the leading edge of the driver’s door but nothing to detract from the car’s overall presentation.

The wheels have been painted to match the bodywork. They’re finished off with chromed hubcaps, the rest of the exterior chromework is all brand new. The tyres are also new and match, which we think is another good sign as regular readers will know.

After the comprehensive restoration, the underside of the car has been protected with three coats of Hammerite (which, by a lucky coincidence, very nearly matches the colour of the exterior!) in addition to a layer of stonechip protector. As you can see from the photographs, the finish is as good as the coachwork, and should outlast most of us here.

You’ll also notice the polybushed suspension, new front and rear springs, and the telescopic rear dampers. What isn’t immediately obvious is the braking system, which comes from a later 1098cc model. All of these modifications are well-recognized in Morris Minor circles and all add to the car’s usability, safety and resale value.

Finally, we can’t leave this section without drawing your attention to the car’s distinctive wooden frame. Where most owners might finish the new raw ash frame with a yacht varnish, this owner has taken the time and trouble to apply ten coats of Danish oil. Yes, that’s right, ten coats.

As you can see, it was worth every single moment of his time as it looks incredible and is much more attractive than a varnished finish ever could, no matter how carefully it had been applied. While it looks good in the photos, it looks even better in the flesh and we encourage you to come along to our place in Abingdon to take a look for yourself.

The interior was professionally retrimmed in September 2017 using Mulberry leather and grey Hardura, with contrasting black piping on the seats. The work, which included fitting a pair of modern MGF front seats, has clearly been done to a very high standard; we doubt many will notice that the front seats aren’t original until, that is, they actually sit in the car at which point they’ll realise that they are infinitely superior to the flat, unsupportive ones that the factory fitted 62 years ago. (Replacing these seats with original Morris Minor items would be a very easy job if the new owner prizes originality over practicality)

When the owner picked up this project, it was in a sorry state and did not include such useful things as rear bodywork, engine or gearbox, so the missing seats were not his greatest worry! When he stumbled over some good MGF seats that so beautifully colour-matched matched his existing trim and rear seats, he thought this was his answer. Also, the light patina the seats wear looks so much better than an obviously new interior.

Talking of taking the time to do things properly, the owner even asked his trimmer to bind the edges of the new carpet set he bought; while some of the edges were finished, others hadn’t been sewn to the standard he would have liked, so he spent the time and money to get it done properly.

Other nice touches include the installation of a discreetly mounted cigarette light socket/power outlet and an MG Midget gear-lever extension to activate the automatic reversing light. Even the bezel on the central speedometer has been colour-matched to the Mulberry seats. It’s all very neat and looks fabulous.

As does the steering wheel, which has been left in its original, unfinished condition. The resulting loops and whorls look amazing and we can’t help but wonder why anyone would want to cover them up.

The interior wood trim has been beautifully finished too and a hidden fuel pump isolation switch adds an added layer of security. The owner is a retired automotive electrician, and did all of the rewiring himself, even routing the wiring for a rear screen demister, should the new owner want to fit new glass with the elements in it.

Oh, and we defy you to find a better-finished boot than this one in a car that costs less than six-figures. It might just be us but the finish, in grey Hardura and Mulberry leather, has been so neatly done that we could gaze at it for hours…

The engine was fully stripped and rebuilt with new and refurbished parts as needed, including a new crankshaft and electronic ignition. The result is 160psi of compression in all four cylinders and a smooth running engine that starts on the button and pulls powerfully through the car’s rebuilt gearbox.

The gearbox was also completely reconditioned after the discover that the used item purchased was far from the good condition it was advertised in. A speedometer that matches the gearbox was sourced so reads correctly, something that isn’t always the case with cars like these. (obviously the odometer reading should be ignored, this speedo came from another car; plus most of the car is new anyway) The engine bay is as well finished as the rest of the car, which is to say that it is a couple of hours away from being concours.

As you’ll have read in a previous section, the gearbox and brakes are from a 1098 Minor (none arrived with the project car), and the suspension is mostly all new with polybushing and telescopic rear dampers. The owner tells us that the car now needs nothing doing to it and is ready to be enjoyed, so why not pop along to Patina HQ and try it for yourself?

The car comes with a British Motor Industry Heritage Trust certificate in addition to a thick sheaf of old bills and invoices. We have photographed most of them individually, but there are many more included for smaller amounts.

Please visit the documents section of the gallery of this listing where you will find photos of these and other bits and bobs to support our claim that this car has been restored and modified to the very highest standard. There are also a healthy run of photos showing the owner’s restoration – these show you the sheer quantity of work completed, and the obvious quality of it all.

This series 2, split-screen Morris Minor stands as a testament to the owner’s dedication and professional approach to its restoration. While acknowledging his limits by farming out the paintwork and trimming, he’s completed the rest of the work himself – and completed it to an incredibly high standard. We think it’s fair to say that it would be almost impossible to better the finish he’s achieved, regardless of budget.

This is largely due to the fact that he invested the money he saved on labour in buying quality parts. It was a labour of love and he acknowledges that the pleasure he derives from his cars is largely in working on them rather than driving them, which is why this one is being sold after having been driven for only a few hundred miles since being finished.

Such a car isn’t going to be cheap but we think £12,500-15,000 is a very reasonable sum to pay for such a beautifully finished example. Remember it is the more desirable split-screen example, and we defy you to find one that looks and drives as well as this does.

Viewing is always encouraged, and this car can be seen here at Patina HQ in Abingdon; to arrange an appointment please use the ‘Contact Seller’ button at the top of the listing. Feel free to ask any questions or make observations in the comments section below, or try our ‘Frequently Asked Questions’.

If needed, please remember we have a network of trusted suppliers we work with regularly and can recommend: Thames Valley Car Storage for storing your car, AnyVan for transporting it, and Footman James for classic car insurance.