Country Classic Cars - Vehicle Details

Country Classic Cars are pleased to have been asked to offer this unique ‘Touring’ Minor, for sale due to ill health. This Cowley built Minor carries its original MAT chassis, confirming it was built as a convertible and not a saloon conversion. An extensive history file makes for interesting reading and the story begins just prior to the New Year in 1960. Minor enthusiasts will already have noted this ‘Tourer’ carries the later 1098 rear lights and badges almost three years before the model was released onto the market. 279 LAE was originally a 948cc version finished in Porcelain Green and spent the first 17 years of life in and around the Bristol area. In 1977 Lonstan Motors (commonly known as the Morris Minor Centre) Bath registered 279 LAE in their name, at which time a 1098 engine upgrade had already been carried out; a month later the current custodian would take the keys and enjoy, restore and maintain this Minor over the next 45 years. From 1990 an extensive restoration project was undertaken, replacement panels as required followed by a bare metal respray in Old English White; all completed by specialists CB Auto Repairs with many parts supplied by the Morris Minor Centre. Paperwork suggests later items such as rear light units were fitted at this time. In 1991 Newton Commercial in Suffolk, a MM Owners club recommended supplier/installer, carried out a complete interior replacement with matching Cherokee Red carpets, door cards and seat covers. Images post exterior repairs are included in the history plus correspondence/invoices between owner and suppliers. A matching hood supplied by the MM Centre in 1991 was fitted by soft top specialists KMG Searle. By September 1992 the running total stood at £5500 invested in the fully refurbed Minor, although five years later Hallmark Restorations were quoting for engine work that culminated in reground crank, rebore with pistons, timing chain plus replacement valve springs, totalling £550. Dozens of parts and service invoices date back to the early 90s but by 2006 Stonehill Automotive were the ‘go to’ place for this Minors maintenance including fuel pump, trunnions and servicing. In 2019 the Minor was garaged and remained unused until Country Classic Cars started recommission work in preparation for sale. This work has required a full brake overhaul including shoes, cylinders and drums. Full service including coolant, wheel refurb plus fresh period tyres all round. New battery, wheel bearings to the front and the suspension has enjoyed poly bushing throughout. Mot history shows a speedo change/reset to zero (when a repair failed to cure the needle wobble) was carried out in 2006 showing 62k miles at the time, since then just 425 miles have been travelled over the past 16 years.

Here at Country Classic Cars we pride ourselves on offering an honest ‘warts and all’ appraisal of every vehicle we offer for sale, this avoids buyer disappointment often resulting from a lack of detail within sales adverts and our appraisal begins with the exterior. As most Minor owners will confirm corrosion is kryptonite to any 60s Morris and having carried out a full inspection we can say with confidence this convertible is a solid example. The paint finish is now 30 years old and carries the odd spot, that said the images confirm excellent panel gaps, not always the case with convertible examples. The interior appears very fresh, excellent carpets and door cards whilst the seat covers carry minimal wear, a few hours cleaning duties will present a show standard cabin. We consider this an ideal example to enjoy and improve over time or for those chasing perfection this Moggie offers a great base for a show winner. On the road 279 LAE performs as it should, plenty of ‘pep’ from the 1098 powerplant whilst the four-speed transmission selects ratio’s with ease. Fun to drive, certainly, the Minor was built for leisurely A and B roads and that is where it feels most comfortable today, cruising nicely around 50mph. Although exempt, for peace of mind the vendor will supply new MOT for the next custodian. The unblemished vinyl roof lifts and lowers in seconds, a basic but brilliant design, whilst a period single speaker Motorola radio crackled into life we can’t guarantee wonderful audio when travelling topless over the South Downs. Instead, the comforting ‘worble’ familiar to all Minor exhausts on deceleration can be enjoyed as the pilot benefits from direct steering and light clutch this example offers. After more than 4 decades together the current custodian (a lifelong enthusiast and owners club member) is having to let this Morris move onto a new life with an individual who will no doubt appreciate and enjoy this iconic British classic.

For additional information please message with your email address for detailed images or a short walk-round video; we will forward the file via ‘We Transfer’ a free to use and safe service or Whats Ap if you supply your mobile phone number. Country Classic Cars operate by appointment only and within current Covid guidelines and whilst inspections are encouraged, please bear in mind the changing situation but currently we are happy to offer unhindered viewings and test drives.