BUYING TIPS

1 LET’S BODY TALK

These cars may corrode rather less than many of their contemporaries, but still look out for rust in the wings, particularly where they meet the sills, the sills themselves, doors, outriggers and spring hangers.

2 SHOULD BE SECTIONED

Rootes specialist Macs Factors can help with repair sections for most of the bits when Minx bodywork decides to part company with the rest of the car. Complete panels aren’t available but specialists and clubs have done a lot of work in amassing secondhand originals.

3 KEEP ON RUNNING

The five-bearing 1725cc engine is generally sturdy and capable of covering high mileages between rebuilds, but listen for bottom end rumble and look out for excessive exhaust smoke and poor breathing.

4 GETTING INTO GEAR

The Borg-Warner 35 gearbox is renowned for being reliable, but check for jerky changes. Brown and/or smelly transmission fluid suggests internal transmission wear. Spares and professional help are available, though the cost of a rebuild can run well into four figures.