A bargain Morris Minor

How condition and competition made this a smart buy

CAR 1968 Morris Minor Traveller SOLD £2800 ORIGINAL ESTIMATE £3-4k, Brightwells, 30 March There are plenty out there, which limits competition.

The 1960s into early 1970s models are out there in decent numbers and in varying conditions, from the project to the entirely immaculate. And, of course, there’s the choice of body design, from two- and four-door saloons to convertibles and Travellers. Arguably the Traveller is the most practical, thanks to its increased load space, and it could be the most characterful thanks to its external timberwork. The good thing about a Traveller version is that it can get away with being slightly shabby, and that’s where this one comes in.

History matters – and this one had plenty of it to flick through.

Long-term ownership is always a good starting point and this Trafalgar Blue example came from a 26-year tenure.

There were details of the three former owners in the history file and the service book showed 15 stamps up to 1975. A second ‘Passport to Service’ booklet detailed another service in January 1976 at 51,000 miles and notes contained therein said that a 12,000 miles service was carried out in April 1986. There were 20 previous MOT test certificates and many bills dating back to 1971. While it was thought not to have had an MOT test since 2006 it would, of course, be test-exempt.

It was good, but it wasn’t perfect.

If ever there was a case of ‘room for improvement’, this was it. The ash frame was going home in places but fresh wood had been fitted in other areas. The bodywork was reasonable, showing scuffs to the rear wings while the front ones had some signs of tin worm, as did the front doors. The underside was clean and tidy but switched-on owners might opt for a thorough clean, attend to any corrosion and then use some underseal to secure a longer future. All was fair to good with the interior, the driver’s seat being torn, the others perfectly serviceable and the door cards tidy. The headlining was smart, too.

It was a great buy if you didn’t mind getting your hands dirty.

There was a reasonable amount of work ahead if the new owner really wanted to turn this into a super-smart car but it boasted plenty of service history and was positively dripping with character. One for the more experienced or technically savvy newbie perhaps, but it was a pleasing buy nonetheless.