Meet Betty —

— a much-loved 1966 Morris Minor saloon with fully-documented history.

Key Information

Morris Minor 2-door saloon

Engine size — 1098 CC

Body colour — Cream with red detailing

Interior — Red & cream

Mileage — 71107

Production date — 11-12th August 1966

£12,000 ONO

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Betty’s History & Provenance

1966

Betty rolled off the production line on 12th August 1966, just weeks after England won the World Cup. She originally left the factory finished in Trafalgar blue.

Her first stop was Loxham Garages Ltd in Morecambe, Lancashire, before she was sold to her first family in the Deeside area of Merseyside. She remained with them for decades and was regularly serviced and MOT’d by Smart Auto Series Garage, demonstrating long-term, consistent care.

2016

After many years with her original family, Betty was sold and moved south to Horstead Keynes, West Sussex, where she was owned by a Mr. Gilbert. During this period she continued to be well maintained, with all invoices and receipts retained. It was under the ownership of Mr Gilbert that she was resprayed in cream with red detailing, along with a red and cream interior, giving her her current distinctive appearance.

Following a change in circumstances, Betty was sold to Sussex Classics (West Sussex).

I purchased Betty from Sussex Classics on 23rd June 2016, and she has since lived in Hastings, always garaged, regularly enjoyed on sunny days, and carefully maintained as a cherished classic rather than a daily driver.

Maintenance & Restoration

Since Betty came to live in Hastings, she’s been looked after by two specialist garages.

Steve Parker – Morris Minor Workshop (Wadhurst)
Ainsworth Engineering (Hastings) – Classic car specialists

In 2018, Betty underwent an extensive structural restoration carried out by Steve Parker. This was a thorough, no-corners-cut job focused on long-term integrity and safety, not cosmetic shortcuts.

Major restoration work included:

Full removal of seats and carpets
Preparation and treatment of the underside
Replacement of rear spring hangers and inner wing cover plates
Suspension work including torsion bar removal and reassembly
Cross-member end and jacking point repairs
Floor repairs and replacement of all four floor pans
Replacement of inner and outer sills on both sides
Boot well and aperture panel replacement
Welding and repairs to front chassis legs, bump stop areas, and inner wings
Stone-chipping, priming, painting, and cavity waxing throughout

New parts fitted during restoration include:

Petrol tank
Front seat belts
Front and rear windscreen rubber surrounds
Multiple structural panels and mounting components
Various bushings, brackets, and repair kits

This work is fully documented. I have a lever-arch file containing receipts, invoices, and service history that clearly shows the level of investment and care Betty has received.

Current Status