Morris Minor Panel Van needs a new home

I was very sad to hear that one of my long time customers and friends passed away over the summer. Phil came by Mini Mania for many years when I worked there, and it was one of the pleasures of the job to go out and see this very van and help with whatever he needed. Phil’s wife is not so much a car-gal, and as we all know, it takes a car-person to own and drive something like this!

So we want to help find a new owner that will enjoy this lovely little piece of history, and cherish it like Phil did. It’s just about to turn 65, but not ready to retire! I’ll tell you some my own history with this 1959 Morris Minor panel van. I knew the previous owner as well! Watch the videos!

I’ll also detail it’s features and upgrades, and the extras included in the sale. Phil’s family contacted me to get the spider webs off and freshen up the mechanicals, and as usual, I did a lot more! Watch the videos!

The Mechanical stuff:

• Rebuilt 1275cc engine sourced from an MG Midget, twin 1 1/4″ SU carbs, Pertronix electronic ignition, Alternator conversion, performance exhaust. Runs and sounds great. Watch the driving video!
• Later Ribcase 4-speed transmission, also from a Midget, this one I personally built for Phil a few years ago. Watch the Videos on my YouTube channel, linked below.
• Standard 4.55:1 ratio rear axle. Don’t let anyone talk you into changing this! Makes it a joy to drive.
• Front disk brakes from a later Midget. Yes I mention that the entire running gear is mostly the same as the MG Midget and the earlier Austin Healey Sprite.

If you want any more details about any of this, please ask me. That goes for the videos as well. And anything else I haven’t thought of.

The photos:

Click on any to see full size image

The videos:

I’ve added new videos as I’ve made repairs and upgrades. The video below is the start of the entire playlist (about 6 videos) on YouTube, with several driving clips!

The Extras:

Like any serious British car enthusiast, Phil gathered all manner of extra “spares” as he improved the van with my help over the years. Some photos of all the extra goodies that are included for the new owner.

Yes, quite a collection of extra goodies: Full set of larger tires and wheels for “highway gears”, complete HS4 single carb set up with several extra intakes, A new speedometer with fuel gauge, extra starter and generator, clutch and flywheel, most of the available books for the Morris and the A-series engines, and a tub with tools and all the useful parts for roadside repair! Phil was never once stranded in his travels!

We’d love to find a new steward for this panel van. It will never cost less to own this. You could not build one to this state for anywhere near our asking price! It can be driven anywhere. And it takes full advantage of it’s QUARTER TON commercial rating! How about a travel companion and mobile garage for your MOTORCYCLE! Any small businesses out there that make “minor deliveries”, or perform “minor repairs”? Driving this van gets thumbs-up from people in new Teslas!

And of course, it comes with lifetime tech support from ME! Nobody will ever know it better! And I’d like to continue my decades of association with this van!

The deal:

If you already had a complete, original running van (like the green one I showed when I brought it back to life after 25 years in a barn!), it would still take more than $20K to get it near the level of this one. It is ready to enjoy NOW and would earn it’s keep just parked outside your business (and it has as a beer dispenser for “Cooper’s Bar And Grill” in a former life!). It makes a most memorable billboard!

And Phil’s wife gets all the proceeds from the sale. Phil was not a wealthy man, and this is my way of honoring our friendship and helping his family at a time of loss. Please simply email me: Jemal@CooperRoadMini.com or comment on any of the videos on YouTube. If you want to see something specific, ASK ME!! I’ve owned and built just about all versions of the A-series equipped British classics (currently a couple of Classic Mini Coopers and an MG Midget), and very few people know them like I do. I’m easy to contact and talk to, and I guarantee you will learn something!

Thank you for looking!