Morris Minor Owners Club

There's a car currently on Ebay that's raised my eyebrows and I thought was worthy of discussion. I have nothing to do with it, before you ask - I am just interested in how it came about!

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Resto-modifi ... 72dc5b3ec3

I've moved this topic to General Discussion as Cars For Sale forum doesn't allow replies

Interesting to say the least.
Have that modern car and then put a 60 year old bodywork shell over the top of it.

No V5C I notice, it would presumably be classed as a Kit Car or home build, so have to go through the One-Off registration process. I can't see DVLA allowing it to be registered as either a Minor or an MX5.

Ebay will remove the pics in a few weeks so for anyone visiting this post at a later date, here's the pics that went alongside the ad

***********************
This resto-modified project is based on a 2002 Mazda MX5 1.8. The list of modifications is vast.

The car has;
Abs braking
Power steering
Led front lights
Electric Windows
Modern wiper system with intermittent wash/wipe
Electric aerial
6 speed manual gearbox
Miester-R coil over kit
Front & rear subframes powder coated.
Mileage 63771

The car starts and runs, as far as I’m aware everything works.

The car is being sold without vin number or V5c.

Inspection highly recommended before you buy.
***********************

As the owner of a 2001 1.8 Mazda MX5 and a Morris Minor we think this is brilliant. It looks a very neat job. If it was registered we would probably be on our way to Lytham by now.

KeithL wrote: ↑Mon Mar 29, 2021 10:23 am As the owner of a 2001 1.8 Mazda MX5 and a Morris Minor we think this is brilliant. It looks a very neat job. If it was registered we would probably be on our way to Lytham by now.

If it was registered, you'd find I'd beaten you there. But call me a cynic, that's precisely why I put the topic here for discussion, as I'm not entirely convinced it can be registered!

I think the only possible route anyone could take would be "Radically altered vehicles"
https://www.gov.uk/vehicle-registration ... d-vehicles

Which would require Individual Vehicle Approval
https://www.gov.uk/vehicle-approval/ind ... e-approval


Given that DVLA is renown for it's helpful and assistive attitude, .....NOT, .....I do find myself wondering if somebody is seeking to off-load a vehicle which they thought was a good idea, but it has already failed the DVLA IVA process

Well, it certainly answers the question "when is minor not a minor ?"

It wouldn't be that difficult to get it through an IVA, there are a few guys who have done minor based custom builds the main things they need to meet being:

Glass - needs to be stamped but the windscreens are easy to get and being a convertible you could simply remove the rest for a test.

Interior and exterior projections - will need to radius badges, hinges and handles interior and dash are mazda so should be compliant.

The other things like brake balance, emissions etc should all be fine as they are standard Mazda.

moggiethouable wrote: ↑Mon Mar 29, 2021 11:37 am Well, it certainly answers the question "when is minor not a minor ?"

Is it more MX5 than Minor, one wonders? Boot floor looks Minor but the bulkhead clearly isn't. It would be interesting to see what the underside looks like. There are assumedly more than a few 'custom' parts in the vehicle. That may make any repairs and servicing an interesting job.

That said, it really looks like someone has spent considerable time, effort and money on it. Surely it would be fetch a higher price and be more saleable with a registration document. Which begs the question... Why have they not put it through the IVA and got it registered?

MCYorks wrote: ↑Mon Mar 29, 2021 1:18 pm
That said, it really looks like someone has spent considerable time, effort and money on it. Surely it would be fetch a higher price and be more saleable with a registration document. Which begs the question... Why have they not put it through the IVA and got it registered?

My thoughts exactly. If it was going to be easy, why not do it?
Why go to all the trouble and expense of doing it, and then not even have a drive of it?
Definitely a case of Caveat Emptor,.... 'let the Buyer beware'.

I have a 52 plate MX5 and a Morris Minor van so I can choose which one to drive.

morris van wrote: ↑Mon Mar 29, 2021 2:36 pm I have a 52 plate MX5 and a Morris Minor van so I can choose which one to drive.

This way you don't have to choose.

Admin wrote: ↑Mon Mar 29, 2021 5:57 am There's a car currently on Ebay that's raised my eyebrows and I thought was worthy of discussion. I have nothing to do with it, before you ask - I am just interested in how it came about!

It looks like 'how this project car came about' was covered in 'General Discussion' back in 2014. There are even some pictures of the underside. It appears to be an MX5 floorpan, running gear, etc. with a Minor body on top.
viewtopic.php?t=54981
If it's the same car of course, but it certainly looks very similar.

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=8tqqIsO3Rvw

A bit more info here regards the build,

Steve

MCYorks wrote: ↑Mon Mar 29, 2021 6:20 pm

Admin wrote: ↑Mon Mar 29, 2021 5:57 am There's a car currently on Ebay that's raised my eyebrows and I thought was worthy of discussion. I have nothing to do with it, before you ask - I am just interested in how it came about!

It looks like 'how this project car came about' was covered in 'General Discussion' back in 2014. There are even some pictures of the underside. It appears to be an MX5 floorpan, running gear, etc. with a Minor body on top.
viewtopic.php?t=54981
If it's the same car of course, but it certainly looks very similar.

Oh good spot! Yes that certainly does look like the same car, which makes bernis question even more relevant - why hasn't it got a registration? I'm fascinated by it, but I think it's likely to be destined to be admired from afar rather than at the end of my drive!

This prompted my memory of seeing what could be the same car at the Manchester Bus Museum back in 2014, I took some photos, it was a stunning car.

The plot thickens...

Last MOT'd on 15 May 2014.

Not currently on DVLA's database ?

John ;-)

Ditto

https://www.gov.uk/get-vehicle-information-from-dvla

It would be interesting to know if it was back then registered as a MX5 or Minor.

Whilst it may look like a Minor I would suggest that the majority of components that make up the definition/make of car in the DVLA regulations relating to the car are MX5.

Whilst the car looks very good I for one would like a great deal more information relating to the car before considering purchase.

This listing was ended by the seller because the item is no longer available. 18:29

“Unfinished project, requires SVA”

https://crendon-cars.co.uk/sva.html


John ;-)

Sleeper wrote: ↑Mon Mar 29, 2021 9:32 pm This listing was ended by the seller because the item is no longer available. 18:29

“Unfinished project, requires SVA”

https://crendon-cars.co.uk/sva.html


John ;-)

I hope it's gone to a good home who'll get it's questions resolved. But more than that, I hope it's gone to someone who has their eyes wide open and is aware of what he's taking on.