On the road
Expect a smooth, light and easy drive – if the car feels stiff and jerky or wallowy, it needs attention. Hard-worked engines could need a rebuild after as little as 30-50,000 miles, so check for excess smoke, heavy breathing, knocks and rattles. Check the gearbox synchros (on all but first) and for layshaft wear, indicated by a bearing noise that goes when you dip the clutch in neutral. Look beneath for oil leaks from the engine, ’box and axle (especially on the inside of the brakes).
Frequent lubrication is vital to keep the steering light and the suspension precise; check for play and uneven tyre wear. Surprisingly, the correct 5.20x14 crossply tyres are no longer available. Most people choose more durable radials, which give improved wet grip, but ride comfort and overall gearing are not quite as good; the fractionally narrower Waymaster 5.00/5.20x14 (as fitted to our test car) is the nearest currently available crossply. The 145/80 Pirelli Cinturato is probably the best radial, unless you upgrade to the 155 Michelin X – though even that has a slightly smaller rolling radius than the crossply. At the budget end, a 155 Nankang can be had for £36 plus fitting.
Braking is one area where the early Minor struggles in modern traffic; it’s no bad thing if the fronts have been uprated to later 8in drums. If the brakes are very ineffective, it’s likely that the cylinders are sticking – a common fault from infrequent use that is easily rectified. Weak shock absorbers often just need topping up.