You Know You Want To: Morris Minor

Your summer convertible and track day toy, all in one

I’ll be honest, delving into the classifieds for a Morris Minor wasn’t going to be my first action when writing a YKYWT. I much preferred the look of a Q2-equipped Alfa 147 GTA or a BMW 8 Series.

Stationary shot only one with the roof-up...

However, after being shown this particular example by Garlick, there was no other option. This clearly isn’t a standard Morris Minor. In fact it’s impossible to know where to begin with explaining the modifications made this car, such is the huge scope of the overhaul.

It’s built on a carbon fibre spaceframe for huge torsional stiffness (presumably never a Minor strong point) and is 178mm wider than an original car. The attention to detail and use of quality components is staggering; Koni adjustable dampers have been fitted at a reported cost of £300 a corner and 280mm AP Racing discs provide braking power at the front. The rear brakes are from a Sierra Cosworth, too, so you certainly won’t struggle to stop.

Those brakes will certainly be required in this Minor, as it is powered by a 190hp 2.0-litre

...but why keep it up when you can do this?

engine based on a Fiat twin-cam. We say ‘based’ in the same way as the car itself is ‘based’ on a Morris Minor; its extensive changes make it markedly different from the original. The engine is equipped with Kent cams, Jenvey throttle bodies, and brand new components everywhere, from the oil cooler to the crank.

The inside has also been subject to a meticulous update; there are Momo seats, Stack instruments and, particularly useful given the current prevailing weather conditions, a new mohair hood. Seemingly no stone has been left unturned in attempting to make the ultimate Morris Minor; we'v not even mentioned the bare-metal respray, the limited-slip differential, or the AP Racing clutch.

Heavily modified Fiat engine produces 190hp

Suffice to say the current owner has been enjoying his project; the advert displays photos of the Minor being used at sprint events and details of times at specific events (Harewood hill climb in 68.64 seconds, for example). It’s also run a 14.4-second quarter-mile, which must have made for quite a spectacle…

This Minor has undoubtedly been subjected to an extremely thorough and professional modification job, and would surely prove enormous fun as both a track and road car. Yes, it is £14,000, but you’ll never have to pay for a tax disc or an MOT, and it only costs the current owner £250 to insure!

SPACEFRAME MORRIS MINOR
Price: £14,000
Why you should: It's a brilliantly wacky track toy/fun road car
Why you shouldn't: If you like your classics original, we suggest you steer clear

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Robmarriott

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