1960 Morris 1000: reader ride

Date: 17.02.2015

1960 Morris 1000

1960 Morris 1000

1960 Morris 1000

1960 Morris 1000

1960 Morris 1000

1960 Morris 1000

1960 Morris 1000

1960 Morris 1000

1960 Morris 1000

1960 Morris 1000

1960 Morris 1000

1960 Morris 1000

1960 Morris 1000

1960 Morris 1000

1960 Morris 1000

1960 Morris 1000

1960 Morris 1000

1960 Morris 1000

1960 Morris 1000

1960 Morris 1000

1960 Morris 1000

1960 Morris 1000

Michael O'Connor's 1960 Morris 1000...

Michael O'Connor's 1960 Morris 1000

1960 Morris 100

I bought the Morris because I wanted a convertible of some type and paid $1,250 for it in 1987. It was manufactured in Sydney and even though it was originally built as a hard top, all the fittings are there to change it to a convertible and you can change it from left to right-hand drive in about 2.5 hours. It’s what they call a ‘Graham Diprose’ model; he used to do convertible conversions in Ferntree Gully, outside Melbourne. I actually discovered one in Hawaii and when I showed the fella pictures of mine he was surprised; he didn’t think there were many around!

It was in pretty good nick but had a bit of rust and the body was knocked around but I drove it as-is for a while until I decided to restore it. I’ve fitted two new front guards and changed the tail lights. The front indicators are off the contemporary English model, which I later learned were shared with the MGB. Every bit of chrome was re-done and all the rubber was replaced and two new chassis rails put in.

It had a Datsun 120Y engine and gearbox when I bought it and I’ve fitted a Morris Marina diff and disc-brake front end and a booster, which is only connected to the discs. It cruises along beautifully at 100 km/h and stops really well now. I hadn’t intended to fit big alloys and I really wanted wire wheels, but they are hard to get hold of in the original size. These rims are off a Cortina Ghia, which has the same stud pattern and PCD as a Marina, and I hand-rubbed the knurls off the inside of the rims.

The hood was done by Garry Blackman. It was the most expensive part of the resto and is still in excellent condition after 35 years. I had velour inserts put in the seats to make them more comfortable on a hot day with the top down, but the rest of the vinyl is original as is the steering wheel and dash. I’ve driven it every day since 2007 and it gets so much attention. Blokes will jump out at the lights and say: "My mother had one of these!" My little grandson has dibs on it, he absolutely loves it.

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