Morris Special
Video
Description
Custom built around 2012-2016.
Welded space-frame chassis, very stiff and sturdy.
Morris Minor suspension / gearbox / diff / brakes.
Tuned MG Midget 1100, ported, fast cam, Dellorto 40 carb, custom exhaust. Best guess 60 - 70 hp. Was told this was the later block with larger main bearings. High performance mini radiator and electric fan.
Gearbox is MM 1000 smooth case. Included is a newer "ribbed case" box which is much better and stronger, but needs repair.
Body is glassed plywood with nice laminated wood for the boat tail. Bonnet is aluminium.
Had a lot of work and $$ spent over the last couple of years:
- Upgraded engine.
- New brakes all around.
- New front wheel bearings.
- New suspension bushes, one new front upright.
- New master cylinder.
- New custom hydraulic clutch system.
- All new custom wiring.
- Refurbished dashboard.
- Many small tidy ups and bits repainted.
Great 1930s roadster looks with more modern performance. Goes as fast as you really want to go in something home built from Morris Minor parts. Can be driven with gusto on a windy back road. Corners very well, no body roll, and great road feel. Sounds amazing. Don't tell but I have pegged the speedo at 80 MPH on the motorway (optimistic, actually only about 120 kph but would go faster). Definitely keeps up with traffic. Also you feel like you are going way faster than you really are...
Plenty of room to develop this car. Exterior paint is a little shabby and interior could be improved from bare aluminium. Mechanical bits are pretty well sorted now, though.
This has been a fun project and great fun on a nice day. Reluctantly it is time to sell as I want to buy a house and have too many projects. I'm sure I'll regret it.
Includes a tidy torneau cover.
Can include the nice wooden Momo steering wheel in the photos. I changed to the smaller one for more knee clearance.
Can also include the cheap leather scooter helmet and goggles if they fit.
Questions & Answers
I remember this being put together by the original owner in Hamilton. His attention to detail was meticulous. I naively asked what chassis he had used as a donor, having no idea that he researched, built and certified the thing independently. He did the woodwork by hand, and rolled the curved guards and bonnet himself as well. Great to see his work still being maintained and enjoyed. funkydrummer (160 • 9:03 pm, Tue, 10 FebVery cool! Was he a boat builder? The wood work is really nice and definitely looks like boat building skills! And the chassis is very well engineered and built. StrangeMachines (420 • Tuesday, 10 February 2026He built a couple of boats if i recall correctly, and did a bit of cabinetry. The man could certainly weld, build, and swing a spanner. Im still envious of his skills! funkydrummer (160 • 9:10 pm, Tue, 10 FebCool, thanks for the info! StrangeMachines (420 • Tuesday, 10 February 2026I’m embarking on something similar. Any idea where the mudguards were sourced from? Aluminium or fibreglass? bourbie (309 • 7:11 am, Wed, 11 FebThey are fibreglass. I think they were probably custom built for the project. Make sure they are light weight because they bounce up and down with the wheels. I had to reinforce the mounting brackets on this one because they were cracking. StrangeMachines (420 • Wednesday, 11 February 2026