1931 Morris Minor 885 cc. Registration number ESV 849. Chass...

Hammer

£2,700

1931 Morris Minor 885 cc. Registration number ESV 849. Chassis number SV2553. Engine number 15549, 31 1 39.
Morris' 1927 acquisition of Wolseley facilitated the production of a light car intended to rival Austin's highly successful Seven. Wolseley's 847cc, four-cylinder, overhead-camshaft engine provided the motive power for the new Minor which, with around double the Seven's output, enjoyed markedly superior performance. The simple ladder-type chassis featured cable-operated brakes and a three-speed gearbox with dry clutch. A fabric-bodied saloon and four-seater tourer were offered from 1928, being joined for 1930 by a steel-panelled saloon and light van. Extending the range still further, a two-seater tourer was introduced in December 1930 costing only £100 despite a generous level of equipment. Having spent a full day putting the '£100 marvel' through its paces, the Daily Herald declared: 'Four years ago, the same car could not have been produced for twice the price.' Despite being acclaimed by press and public alike, the original 'cammy' Minor was dropped in 1932 in favour of the recently introduced - and cheaper to produce - sidevalve-engined version. The new engine retained the same bore/stroke dimensions as the superseded OHC unit, which lived on in various MG sports cars, and was claimed to produce only one horsepower less. The two-seater tourer continued to be offered for just £100. By the time Minor production ceased in 1934, almost 40,000 'cammy' and over 47,000 sidevalve models had been built.
ESV 849 was last taxed in Maidstone in 1994 and would appear to have been off the road ever since. It is a 1931 SV Minor with a 1933/34 radiator and a Morris 8 engine from 1939. The majority of the car appears present but prospective bidders should satisfy themselves to what is missing. It was unknown to the Vintage Minor Register and they would like the next owner to join the club. It was owned by Gordon Walker of Liversage, near Cleakheaton from 1993 until he sold it to our vendor in August 2011.
Sold with the V5C and the 1994 tax disc.