PROJECT BUYER
If you want to keep things stock there’s a good supply of new and used parts. Most projects need lots of welding, but good used panels are scarce so you’ll have to buy new. You can buy GRP or steel front wings, the latter in repro form or OE (the latter cost more, but take less time to fit).
If recommissioning a Minor that’s been laid up for years, bank on replacing tyres, brakes, water and fuel pumps plus all service items as a matter of course. Beware of cars with a wrecked or missing interior as there’s a shortage of decent used seats good enough to refurbish. Trim kits are excellent, but it’s easy to spend £1500 just getting the cabin up to scratch.
Upgrades are common, with many offered as kits from the Minor suppliers. Most add value rather than reduce it, although some are more useful than others. The most popular upgrades include a 1275cc engine, bigger carbs, front disc brakes and a fivespeed gearbox, all of which slot straight in. However, 1275cc engines are now hard to find as the only one that goes straight in is from the Spridget and these stopped being broken years ago, although Marina/ital engines can be fitted with some modifications. The same goes for the Ford five-speed gearboxes – so many have been fitted to various classics that they’re now in short supply. There are more extreme engine conversions available, including Rover K-series Fiat twin-cam and, more recently, Ford Zetec.