This super little 4-door Morris Minor 1000 comes to us having been garage stored and unused for many years. Although looking a little tatty the car is actually in good order and very solid for its age…other than a couple of localised patches to repair, underneath is sound and rot free. The paint work is dulled and scabby in a few places but, again, body panels are good, straight and solid. Brightwork is functional but has seen better days and would benefit from a re-chrome!

We received this car with a free tank of stale fuel…unsurprisingly the fuel pump and carburettor were completely gummed-up. But with a new pump and a good clean and fettle of the intake system we’re delighted that the car now starts on the button and runs sweetly.

It’s not yet roadworthy and the brakes do need some attention (although they’re not seized and the car rolls nice and freely). But otherwise the car appears to be in good mechanical order with fluids all staying where they should and no nasty noises or smokiness. We’ve had the engine up to operating temperature and shifted through all the gears with a nice feeling clutch (albeit at very slow speeds on a private road)…no problems to report.

Inside is a bit of a time-warp. The seats will need recovering but everything is totally original and possibly one of the last of these cars to be fitted with twin glovebox lids before they were discontinued in late-1961 in favour of open compartments.

All-in-all, this is a great find that offers the new owner a straightforward and affordable route to getting an original and iconic British classic back to its best.