lowlight production
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lowlight production
can anyone tell me how many lowlights were made ? thanks , lots of interest from people who have never seen one
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total of just over 176,000 series MM were built,
The started building Highlights from car number 65004, but this book also says the 4 dr started at car number 62551. And they were never available as lowlights(?)
So roughly about 60,000
The started building Highlights from car number 65004, but this book also says the 4 dr started at car number 62551. And they were never available as lowlights(?)
So roughly about 60,000
Onne van der S. MMOCno 60520 Moderator
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2dr 1971 White DAF 55 (with hopefully a 1600cc engine soon)
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2dr Estate 1975 DAF 46 in red
2dr saloon 1972 DAF 44 in Mimosa
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Lowlight Production
It is not possible to say how many lowlights were produced. The 1st production highlight was SMM 16***, DUD693 in 1949. It still exists. Highlights were produced 1st for the N. American market in 1949, then for the new 4 doors in 1951 and finally for the 2 doors and tourers. There are still plenty of lowlights around. There are no genuine 4 door lowlights.
Michael Perry
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Michael Perry
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Re: Lowlight Production
BUT this car came off the production line as a lowlight. It was converted to highlight in the experimental department a little later on. I'm promised a picture of the car taken in 1949 when it was still a lowlight.mike.perry wrote:The 1st production highlight was SMM 16***, DUD693 in 1949.
It certainly does! You can update your records now Mike as I'm the new owner.It still exists.
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Well the highlight wings were rotten so were binned. It's currently without wings, but I've got some decent steel lowlight wings & a good front panel so it's going back to a lowlight.
It wasn't actually a 'production' highlight, but an experimental car owned by Walter Balding (head of experimental) and was used to 'test' certain mods. The 2nd owner was the first female engineer at the Cowley works (so I'm told) and I have lots of letters from her talking about the car's history etc.
The cars were also periodically updated as needs be. It has a waterpump engine fitted but apart from that I think it's pretty original.
It wasn't actually a 'production' highlight, but an experimental car owned by Walter Balding (head of experimental) and was used to 'test' certain mods. The 2nd owner was the first female engineer at the Cowley works (so I'm told) and I have lots of letters from her talking about the car's history etc.
The cars were also periodically updated as needs be. It has a waterpump engine fitted but apart from that I think it's pretty original.
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Yep. Well, I've got too much work on at the moment to deal with the cars, but hopefully in the next 3 months I'll be cracking in. The Modified 4-door needs a re-paint of the front panel and a few little bits and Gracie needs a wheel cylinder and a set of shoes. Other than that it's the '49 all the way.
oh just read that, probably wont sell the worse one cam, the fella i got em off bought 2 cars to make one good one, ill have to rob bumper/valance,rad grill, front end chrome, then very long term ,when the good ones on the road, restore the spares car shell and sell it, or its might be destined for a soft top conversion seeing as the roof is pushed in 3 places..........
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Congratulations Cam .
It's about time you concentrated on a proper Morris Minor, not the ugly highlight ones .
What's the bodywork like ? Much cancer ?
I reluctantly sold a really good '49 lowlight yesterday . It was a spare car in case mine was severely damaged again but it's not needed now as I bought another early body a couple of months ago.
It's the first lowlight I've ever parted with but it's gone to a good home & should be back on the road soon .
It's about time you concentrated on a proper Morris Minor, not the ugly highlight ones .
What's the bodywork like ? Much cancer ?
I reluctantly sold a really good '49 lowlight yesterday . It was a spare car in case mine was severely damaged again but it's not needed now as I bought another early body a couple of months ago.
It's the first lowlight I've ever parted with but it's gone to a good home & should be back on the road soon .
Scott
[url=http://img133.imageshack.us/img133/523/bo16vy.jpg]1948 Series MM[/url]
[url=http://img133.imageshack.us/img133/2484/dcp001046qp.jpg]1962 1000[/url]
[url=http://img207.imageshack.us/img207/9625/19705bp.jpg]1970 1000[/url]
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[url=http://img133.imageshack.us/img133/523/bo16vy.jpg]1948 Series MM[/url]
[url=http://img133.imageshack.us/img133/2484/dcp001046qp.jpg]1962 1000[/url]
[url=http://img207.imageshack.us/img207/9625/19705bp.jpg]1970 1000[/url]
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Stevey, I'm sure Scott wrote that VERY tongue in cheek. There are very few lowlights left compared to 'highlights' but as an owner of a highlight MM I'd say they both have their individual charm and neither is 'better' than the other, but if you like the early cars the of course lowlights pre-date the highlight models.Scott wrote:Congratulations Cam .
It's about time you concentrated on a proper Morris Minor, not the ugly highlight ones .
Reasonable amount. Not too bad for a UK car though. Not something you'd tackle over (under?) there though.What's the bodywork like ? Much cancer ?
I've seen (and owned) much worse.
Well, as long as it's going back on the road & to a good home then that's good.I reluctantly sold a really good '49 lowlight yesterday . It was a spare car in case mine was severely damaged again but it's not needed now as I bought another early body a couple of months ago.
It's the first lowlight I've ever parted with but it's gone to a good home & should be back on the road soon .
I have got some panels from NZ with the car but I'm missing some key parts such as: headlamps (& one surround) EARLY front screen rubber, gearknob, split-bumper rear mounting brackets, aluminium kick panels and probably a whole load of other bits I have not even thought about.
I don't think it's got bumper irons either. Are these split-type only or are they the same as the later ones?
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Soem people tend to call the series MM the last proper Morris, because it used Morris parts only (think engine, box and axle) The later models (series II, III and V) used Austin designed engines boxes and axles.
This is because the two companies started working together in 1952 or '53.
So it is not necessarily meant in a negative way.
Onne
This is because the two companies started working together in 1952 or '53.
So it is not necessarily meant in a negative way.
Onne
Onne van der S. MMOCno 60520 Moderator
2dr 1971 White DAF 55 (with hopefully a 1600cc engine soon)
2dr 1973 Bergina (DAF 44)
2dr Estate 1975 DAF 46 in red
2dr saloon 1972 DAF 44 in Mimosa
2dr 1971 White DAF 55 (with hopefully a 1600cc engine soon)
2dr 1973 Bergina (DAF 44)
2dr Estate 1975 DAF 46 in red
2dr saloon 1972 DAF 44 in Mimosa
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That's actually a very good point Onne. The MM WAS was last Morris really (the highlight version though ). All the subsequent cars (post 1952 merger) were BMC but badged Morris. Just for info, I think the very last vehicle to use the Morris Badge was the Marina Van? I think that was produced even after the Ital?
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Good luck with the early screen rubber. The Morris Minor retailers don't even acknowledge that the early cars were different .Cam wrote: I'm missing some key parts such as: headlamps (& one surround) EARLY front screen rubber, gearknob, split-bumper rear mounting brackets, aluminium kick panels and probably a whole load of other bits I have not even thought about.
The aluminium kick panels get damaged quite easily & can also corrode/oxidise badly so good ones are hard to find.
Are you referring to the front bumper irons? You mention the rears in the above quote.and wrote:I don't think it's got bumper irons either. Are these split-type only or are they the same as the later ones?
The fronts are the same as other Minors.
Whoa there Stevey . I too like the highlights & indeed own quite a few.stevey wrote:What? Although I own a 1000, the highlight mm's are not ugly! And are anything but lowlights proper minors?!!!
If thats the case im in the wrong club. OK lowlights are nice, but the highlights are as well.
I just have a soft spot for the often neglected & forgotton lowlights.
It's good to see more interest in lowlights & sidevalves in general.
Who knows, one day even you might make the change to the "original" Morris Minor .
Scott
[url=http://img133.imageshack.us/img133/523/bo16vy.jpg]1948 Series MM[/url]
[url=http://img133.imageshack.us/img133/2484/dcp001046qp.jpg]1962 1000[/url]
[url=http://img207.imageshack.us/img207/9625/19705bp.jpg]1970 1000[/url]
[url=http://img137.imageshack.us/img137/7259/nullabor25ns.jpg]1959 Van[/url]
[url=http://www.morrisdownunder.com/forum/index.php]Aussie Forum[/url]
[url=http://img133.imageshack.us/img133/523/bo16vy.jpg]1948 Series MM[/url]
[url=http://img133.imageshack.us/img133/2484/dcp001046qp.jpg]1962 1000[/url]
[url=http://img207.imageshack.us/img207/9625/19705bp.jpg]1970 1000[/url]
[url=http://img137.imageshack.us/img137/7259/nullabor25ns.jpg]1959 Van[/url]
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I thought it was a simple 'U' section but it isn't. Oh well. I don't even have a pattern as the old one was 'cut out'. I think they changed around Autumn 1949 so were only used for about 12 months. I bet the suppliers don't get asked for them very often!Scott wrote:Good luck with the early screen rubber. The Morris Minor retailers don't even acknowledge that the early cars were different .
I wonder how owners of 'rare' cars get on? There must be someone that can make a bespoke rubber...
Might have to use later painted steel ones.The aluminium kick panels get damaged quite easily & can also corrode/oxidise badly so good ones are hard to find.
When I say bumper irons I mean the thick steel bar behind the valence and I was talking about the rears, but I've not got a front either.Are you referring to the front bumper irons? You mention the rears in the above quote.
The fronts are the same as other Minors.
Yes, it seems to have taken off in the past couple of years.It's good to see more interest in lowlights & sidevalves in general.