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1965 Morris 850 project
Posted: Fri Oct 29, 2021 11:12 am
by Lambretta
Hi all
Although not a newbie in the british classics, this is my first mini.
Car sold new in Denmark on 1965 where it remained in service till 1978.
From 1978 till 2021 was sitting in a barnm waiting to be restored.
Now it is with me, in Athens. Waiting to be restored and start a new life under the Greek sun
Any help, ideas, comments, feedack would be highly appreciated, as my knowledge with minis, is so limited
Cheers,
Nassos
Re: 1965 Morris 850 project
Posted: Fri Oct 29, 2021 11:28 am
by Lambretta
Re: 1965 Morris 850 project
Posted: Fri Oct 29, 2021 11:29 am
by Lambretta
Re: 1965 Morris 850 project
Posted: Fri Oct 29, 2021 11:30 am
by mk1
That looks very good indeed! It's rare to find as good a bodyshell as that here in the UK.
Should be a fantastic project.
Re: 1965 Morris 850 project
Posted: Fri Oct 29, 2021 11:38 am
by Lambretta
My intention is to restore this beautiful mini in standard factory specs. Keeping also the factory colors combo.
The only questionable issue is whether I should maintain the setup of the hydroelastic or not.
The ground clearance looks ok, but keeping the hydro or not, depends on the availability of the spare parts and the specialists. I wouldnt like to end with phaving problems on such an old car. If the hydro can be restored in such way so i will have got a fine and problem free result (even if I have to send it to UK to be done) then this is fine to me.
Re: 1965 Morris 850 project
Posted: Fri Oct 29, 2021 11:38 am
by Old English White
As Mark says - a great project
That level of rust make is "Good condition" in the UK. It looks pretty original although I can see it has had a later front panel fitted at some time.
Keep the pictures coming!
Re: 1965 Morris 850 project
Posted: Fri Oct 29, 2021 11:39 am
by Old English White
Oh: And keep the Hydrolastic. The ride is so much better in my view
I love Hydrolastic but am aware that others have a different view!
Re: 1965 Morris 850 project
Posted: Fri Oct 29, 2021 11:42 am
by Lambretta
mk1 wrote: ↑Fri Oct 29, 2021 11:30 am
That looks very good indeed! It's rare to find as good a bodyshell as that here in the UK.
Should be a fantastic project.
I have bought 2 of my Triumphs from UK. And they are RHD in deed...
One is a '66 Spitfire Mk2 and the other one is a '67 GT6 Mk1.
The bodywork was a total nightmare. I ve replaced almost all the panels except the bulkhead and the inner section of the wheel arches
Ok, I also kept the roof of my GT6
And the repro panels needed a lot of work to be fitted. They are rubbish. At least the ones I am speaking (for the Triumph cars)
Hope I will be luckier with the quality of the panels in the mini
Re: 1965 Morris 850 project
Posted: Fri Oct 29, 2021 11:46 am
by Lambretta
Old English White wrote: ↑Fri Oct 29, 2021 11:38 am
As Mark says - a great project
That level of rust make is "Good condition" in the UK. It looks pretty original although I can see it has had a later front panel fitted at some time.
Keep the pictures coming!
I love keeping a car as much closer as I can to the factory specs.
The hydro I intend to keep it. As soon as I will have solved the "problem" with their complete overhaul and I see there is a good availability on the parts needed to maintain it in good condition.
Can they be reliable and long lasting after a complete rebuild?
Also could you please clarify about the change in the front panel? Definitely I would like to correct any mistakes done by the previous owner
Re: 1965 Morris 850 project
Posted: Fri Oct 29, 2021 11:47 am
by mk1
Generally speaking, panels for Mini's are pretty good. They get a lot of criticism from enthusiast body workers, but very few from professionals. Compared to Triumph, you will find that spares are well catered for.
Re: 1965 Morris 850 project
Posted: Fri Oct 29, 2021 11:48 am
by mk1
Hydro can be perfectly reliable & as good as new when refurbished. The front panel on a 1965 car would be the cut away type.
Re: 1965 Morris 850 project
Posted: Fri Oct 29, 2021 12:27 pm
by Lambretta
mk1 wrote: ↑Fri Oct 29, 2021 11:48 am
Hydro can be perfectly reliable & as good as new when refurbished. The front panel on a 1965 car would be the cut away type.
Thanks
Could you please let me know the correct part number which should be fitted to my January '65 Morris?
Re: 1965 Morris 850 project
Posted: Fri Oct 29, 2021 12:51 pm
by Old English White
The cutaways on the lower valance are indeed correct for a 1965 car. The giveaways for it being a later panel - and easily corrected - are the larger and closer together brackets for the number plate and the large holes for the later grille which are only partly covered by the Mk1 grille
Re: 1965 Morris 850 project
Posted: Fri Oct 29, 2021 1:11 pm
by mk1
Well spotted OEW.
As far as I know, the best Front panel is the M-Machine one.
http://preview.m-machine.co.uk/CATALOGU ... alogue.pdf
Part No: 51.18.01.00
Re: 1965 Morris 850 project
Posted: Sun Sep 15, 2024 10:53 pm
by Lilihip
Hi,
I just found this post. I have exactly the same Mini built on the same date as your mini. drop me a PM if interested to share more photos and details.
cheers,
Filip
Re: 1965 Morris 850 project
Posted: Sat Sep 21, 2024 8:58 am
by mab01uk
Lilihip wrote: ↑Sun Sep 15, 2024 10:53 pm
Hi,
I just found this post. I have exactly the same Mini built on the same date as your mini. drop me a PM if interested to share more photos and details.
cheers,
Filip
Lambretta was Last active: Sat Nov 06, 2021 8:35 am.
But if you click on his user name you could try contacting him by email.