Help me figure out what year I am

[Newguy95112]

Hello! First time posting here. Hopefully I'm in the right section for this. I have an old Morris and I am trying to figure the year out.
The car No. M/ A2S3L 709036
I believe that was behind the battery box.
This is the other number I've found.
ME 278095
This car is in the USA and is a left hand drive.

I'm really just look to figure out the year and model for now. Any help would be much appreciated.
Thank you very much in advance!
James

[jagnut66]

Hi James,
If you could post up some pictures of the car that will help.
Best wishes,
Mike.

[Newguy95112]

Hey Mike, Do I have to have a certain amount of post before I can post a picture? I don't think my image is working properly.

[ianmack]

According to the list in Porter’s restoration book your number would have been issued in 1959

[jagnut66]

Hey Mike, Do I have to have a certain amount of post before I can post a picture? I don't think my image is working properly.

Hi James,
No, you can upload pictures as soon as you join the site.
I upload them straight from the images saved on my PC (my pictures file), I have a folder for Morris Minor related images.
Just click on the 'Attachments' tab below, click on 'Add files' and upload your images, I think it is limited to four per post, or that might be something to do with picture size. However you can always 'reply' to your own post and add more to continue your thread.
If you have a digital camera then off you go.....
Best wishes,
Mike.

[jaekl]

1959 was by far the largest production of USA models. Unfortunately many weren't sold until 61 or 62.

[ianmack]

If I’d been a new car buyer in the US in 1959 a Minor probably wouldn’t have been at the top of my shopping list.

[JOWETTJAVELIN]

If I’d been a new car buyer in the US in 1959 a Minor probably wouldn’t have been at the top of my shopping list.

Me neither. I'd have bought a Oldsmobile 98.

[Newguy95112]

0BDCEFAD-4D18-473A-9EB6-5C33FE51245F.jpeg (3.71 MiB) Viewed 1322 times

DFF3D842-4364-4CFA-A1E3-9F384E2E31BC.jpeg (3.33 MiB) Viewed 1322 times

[jagnut66]

Nice little project you have there James.
The pattern of holes on the boot lid indicates that the script would have read 'Minor 1000'.
Plus the position of the spindles for the wipers shows they were of the 'clap hands' variety, a left over from the split windscreen days.
The paint looks to be peeling down to the primer, however the darker grey that's left looks similar to mine, so I'm going to suggest it was Clarendon Grey originally, though I'm open to correction from others on this site about this.
What size engine do you have under the bonnet?
Best wishes,
Mike.

[ianmack]

It certainly has all the right features for a 1959 Minor 1000. The plates suggest it hasn’t been on the road since 1974 and it has a nice lack of rot which we in UK will envy.

Is this what US dealers call a ‘California black plate car’? I’ve often wondered. In UK black plates are what we weld over rust holes, but dealers tend not to mention them.

[jagnut66]

it has a nice lack of rot which we in UK will envy.

Agreed.
I wish mine had as good a shell as that one. Put some more pictures up when you have the time James and give us a tour.
Best wishes,
Mike.

[POMMReg]

With the single "BME" plate suggests 1959.