Buying refurbished Minors.

[brandonr]

I have just sold my '48 Riley and want to enter the world of Morris Minors. I would like a convertible, but have failed to find anything within striking distance of Devon. I am, therefore, considering having one 'made' for me by one of the firms specialising in this. What I find confusing is that one apparently reputable firm is quoting £9,500, and another over £16k. What would I be getting for the extra £7k, or more to the point, not getting from the cheaper quote?

Sage advice would be most welcome. Thank you.

Roger.

[Morris Mike]

When you consider a saloon can be converted quite easily into a convertible why spend between £9,500 and £16,000 on a genuine factory built one,that has been refurbished.?
The same amount of work would I consider be carried out restoring a saloon as a convertible so why the huge price hike.?
Just take the roof off a suitable saloon if your going for the full restoration approach.

Not many cars convert as easily or cheaply as the Minor.

Try converting a Rapier,Minx or a Ford etc and you come into great expense and difficulty.

There are some very cared for,and good condition Convertibles out their for less money I am sure.
Personally I am not into the convertibles,but if I was looking for a very good example I would not be prepared for these sort of prices.

Look at the persons work on other cars,do they own one ,are they an enthusiast,do they exhibit it at shows, are they known by the classic car world,do people talk highly about them after the car they had restored is say 12 months old.

A vehicle might be better finished off by someone charging £20.00 an hour who is a proper enthusiast,with little overheads, than someone with fancy overheads charging £45.00 an hour who does it as a business venture just to generate revenue and might as well sell ice to the eskimo`s.
Ask youself this question...how many of the main Morris Minor restorers in this country actually drive Minors in one shape or form every day.? Hardly any I would have thought.

You do not always get a better finished result by price,big advertising budgets,big premises or corporate display`s at events etc.
At the end of the day the company is only as good as the welder,paint man or trimmer that works on your car.

M M

[JPX877J]

Advice? Check the strengthening has been done. I'm sure someone will know more about this. HTH

[LouiseM]

I would like a convertible, but have failed to find anything within striking distance of Devon. I am, therefore, considering having one 'made' for me by one of the firms specialising in this.

Welcome to the messageboard There seem to be plenty of convertibles for sale and sometimes you have to be prepared to travel further afield to find a good one - widening your search area would seem a better (and much cheaper!) alternative to spending an extra £5,000 plus to have one specially made to order. If you are a club member there is a convertible for sale in Devon in the latest issue of the club magazine, and you could try placing an ad in the 'wanted' forum here too.

[brandonr]

Thank you all for the advice. With regard to the one in the club magazine, I am in the process of joining the club now so I don't know when I will get a magazine. Any possibility of having the contact number/e mail of the seller?
Roger.

[dp]

Thank you all for the advice. With regard to the one in the club magazine, I am in the process of joining the club now so I don't know when I will get a magazine. Any possibility of having the contact number/e mail of the seller?
Roger.

Hopefully no one will mind if I type up the advert -

(Nothing to do with me)

[LouiseM]

I'll send you the details via personal message.

[LouiseM]

Hopefully no one will mind if I type up the advert -

The seller might not wish the details published on the internet, hence the reason I was going to send via pm.

[bpr81a]

The seller might not wish the details published on the internet, hence the reason I was going to send via pm.

Agreed - so I've deleted the details from Dp's post

[brandonr]

er.. it's very nice, but LouiseM said there was a convertible for sale. I know that I am new to minors but.....

Roger.

[LouiseM]

I've sent you the contact details via a personal message.

[Hubert]

A couple of years ago I was in a similar situation, I wanted a Morris Minor Convertible. My problem is that I can maintain a car, but I don't have the time nor the courage to do a complete restoration, so I needed one that was either in perfect condition or all the necessary jobs had been done. On the internet I noticed plenty of original convertibles, but they were located between Kent and Scotland, and I just didn't want to spend a whole holiday and travel hundreds of miles to find the right one. The dealer I consulted offered to find and restore a Minor for me, and now that's the point: As mentioned above it costs about the same to fully restore a Convertible or a Saloon. But the purchase price of a Saloon is much lower than a Convertible. Therefore the package of buying and having it restored was a lot cheaper with a replica Convertible compared to an original one.

Before I commissioned the job, I spent half a day at their workshop and had a look at the work they do, and as far as I can judge it the conversion from a Saloon is done to a high standard. I am well aware that an original Convertible has a higher value and the value will increase, but for me the most important thing was to get a reliable Convertible in which I can enjoy driving around, the value is not the main criteria. And that is exactly what I have got for my money. I have owned my replica Convertible now for over three years and driven almost 8.000 miles, and my wife and I have enjoyed every mile in it. Last year it even fetched second prize in a concourse at a local vintage car show. And last June it covered exactly 1,125 miles to the National Rally and back without any problems.

By the look at that I must say that I have made the right decision. However, if originality or an increase in value is more important, you should look for an original Convertible.

Cheers
Hubert

[brandonr]

Thank you Hubert. That is exactly how i feel. I have always been a purist, keeping my cars in original condition, but I am now at a stage in life where I just want to enjoy a drive. Thanks for taking the itme.
Roger.