1971 Morris Minor Van |

Sold

1971 Morris Minor Van

This vehicle has now been sold - click ‘Register Similar’ below to get notified when we consign a similar vehicle.

Sold Price

£11,256

Mileage~67,368 on clock
TransmissionManual
Engine1.1L
LocationGateshead

SOLD

1971 Morris Minor Van

I WANT ONE

Introduction

Kristina Leikaite

Professional Consigner

Arguably the ultimate classic delivery van for small loads or tradespeople seeking practicality and reliability!

The Morris Minor Van is a robust, light commercial vehicle based on the iconic Morris Minor. Powered by a 1,098cc four-cylinder engine producing around 48 horsepower, it features a four-speed manual transmission, making it efficient and easy to drive for its time. Designed with a higher roof and a closed cargo area, the van has a payload capacity of around 250-300 kg, with reinforced suspension to handle heavier loads. Its simple steel construction and minimalistic interior, featuring basic seats and essential controls, made it a practical choice for tradespeople. The van’s rear offered ample cargo space, often used for deliveries or trades such as plumbing and electrical work. Customisation was common, with many vans featuring hand-painted business signs, adding to its charm and making it an eye-catching vehicle on the road.

This particular 1971 example has undergone restoration work in the current family ownership, and it was sign-written, helping promote business while still being a practical van. It comes to market after ~9 years with our vendor after her husband passed away, ~44 year ownership in total in the family. It's a beautiful example, waiting for a new owner to enjoy and keep on the road for many years to come.

This listing was written from information supplied by Kristina after meeting Alice the owner, and having visited and photographed the vehicle.

Secure Auctions

We verify all our sellers and buyers to keep our community safe whilst also providing the highest levels of website security.

Full Transparency

8 out of 10 people that buy cars via our service don’t feel the need to visit due to the transparency and thoroughness of our listings.

Vehicle Delivery

We're there every step of your buying journey and will even arrange pick-up and delivery of your new vehicle.

Secure Auctions

We verify all our sellers and buyers to keep our community safe whilst also providing the highest levels of website security.

Full Transparency

8 out of 10 people that buy cars via our service don’t feel the need to visit due to the transparency and thoroughness of our listings.

Vehicle Delivery

We're there every step of your buying journey and will even arrange pick-up and delivery of your new vehicle.

Meet the owner

The van has been in our family for ~44 years, we know it’s time for it to go to a new owner who can use it and provide the TLC it deserves.

Owned by the vendor’s husband who has now sadly passed away, the van was purchased from their local newspaper as a “reasonable form of transport”. Upon viewing the van, it was clear why it was for sale: there was virtually no floor or chassis left up to the cross member. Undeterred, once a deal was struck, the van was loaded up and taken back home for the restoration to begin.

Once this was completed, the van was used for several years as family transport taking some unforgiving loads too. The engine was replaced, it then ran for some more years until it was no longer able to transport their son's MX bikes to race meetings as they were too big to fit in the van, it was then off the road for a considerable length of time. Eventually Alice's husband decided to take on the work needed to get the van back on the road, resulting in the version you see today. It's a lovely restored example, and Alice will do her best to answer any questions about the car in the comments section below.

Alice

Vehicle Owner

Alice saved £1,980* when they
sold their Morris with us.

SELLING MADE EASY

We'll take the photos & create the listing.
We'll market it to our 62K buyers & online.
You'll keep your car until it's paid for.

PEACE OF MIND FOR BUYERS

They can fully review our cars online.
They can buy on our trusted platform.
They're able to buy without leaving home.

LEARN MORE

EXTERIOR VIDEO

Exterior

A commercial version of the British classic Morris Minor, known as the Morris Minor Van – a practical solution for light loads.

Wheels and Tyres

Steel wheels are finished in silver with a hammered finish, and a bright chrome hub cap is present. All looked in good condition with some slight blemishes noticed. A set of matching Toyo tyres is fitted, and there is a good amount of tread remaining.

Please see the image gallery for a closer look at the wheels.

Bodywork

Walking around the Morris van, the bodywork looks in good order, and the panel gaps appear to be equal. An additional exterior sun visor has been fitted as you often see, and is finished in body colour. Alice told us during the restoration the sunroof was removed to take the van back to original, the work was completed by an experienced body repairer, with no evidence that there had been a sunroof noticeable.

We’ve highlighted our observations in more detail through our high-resolution images and videos. Please take the time to review all the media files for a detailed view of what’s on offer and to assess the van’s condition for yourself.

Paint

Finished in blue, the most noticeable feature is the signwriting, giving the Morris a classic period look. The paintwork generally presents well; however, there are a few minor blemishes, particularly on the roof, which has crazed. Other areas exhibit some orange peel, which could possibly be improved with a machine polish, we did notice some bubbles in the paint at the bottom of the rear doors.

The images have been taken from various angles to show the van as you would see it in person. Please take the time to fully assess these high-resolution images and videos to form your own opinion of the paint’s condition.

Glass and Trim

The windows appear in good condition, with just a few minor age-related marks on the side windows. The seals seem to be in good condition, with no obvious signs of perishing. The chrome grille and headlight surrounds, as well as the window frames, have a bright finish with no excessive tarnishing.

Both the front and rear lights are free from any splits or cracks in the lenses.

VIEW ALL

INTERIOR VIDEO

Interior

Inside, the Morris Van is practical and functional – with everything you needed in 1971.

Seats and Carpets

The seats have been re-trimmed in vinyl and present well with no damage noted, just some age related creases. Both door cards are also trimmed to match and are in good condition. Alice told us she noticed a small 1" cut in the leather on the back of one of the seats, at the bottom.

Black carpet has been fitted in the cabin, which is in good condition, and rubber matting has been used to protect the floor in the rear. The spare wheel is also present and mounted inside the van. Please see the interior gallery for more detailed images.

Dashboard

The simple dashboard is finished to match the exterior. There are a couple of minor scratches that could be touched up. The instrument cluster is working correctly, and the odometer shows a reading of approximately 67,368 miles. Additionally, two gauges are fitted below the dash to show the water temperature and oil pressure.

Please see the interior gallery for more high-resolution images.

Steering Wheel / Gear Stick

The original steering wheel is fitted, and there is a slight amount of patina in keeping with the vehicle’s age.

The gear knob is in similar condition as pictured.

VIEW ALL

'ON THE ROAD' VIDEO

Mechanics

Fitted with the largest 1,098cc A-series engine available at the time – the extra power is handy when carrying loads.

Engine and Gearbox

Looking inside the Morris Van’s engine bay, it is well presented, with no leaks spotted during our visit. The 1,098cc engine starts up without hesitation and runs smoothly with no issues reported.

The four-speed gearbox changes gear as expected, and no unusual noise comes from the transmission.

Suspension and Brakes

The van sits level, and no knocks or bangs were heard from either corner during the test drive. The brakes bring the Morris to a stop in a straight line, and the vendor has reported no issues.

The Drive

There’s something undeniably charming and nostalgic about seeing a classic Morris van on the road today, especially one that’s hand sign-written. The combination of retro style, practicality, and vintage character gives the Morris Van a unique presence.

The Morris Van’s simplicity and ease of handling, along with its standout looks, make it a cool ride for enthusiasts and business owners alike. It’s more than just a vehicle—it’s a moving piece of British automotive heritage.

Electrics and Other

Coming from the 1970s, there isn’t an enormous amount of electrics to worry about, Alice told us there is an issue with the fuel gauge, she believes the wrong sensor was fitted in the tank but her husband never got round to changing it, everything else is reported to work correctly. A Philips radio cassette player is fitted under the dashboard, and the speakers are mounted inside the rear doors.

VIEW ALL

History and Paperwork

Coming from ~44 year family ownership, this van has been restored twice in that time; cherished and enjoyed are two words that describe the love this family has for this British classic.

There isn’t much paperwork with the Morris, mainly because the vendor’s husband carried out the servicing and repairs himself over the years. However, there is a collection of photographs taken during the restoration and a detailed feature written for the Morris Owners Club, telling the story of buying the van and the restoration works carried out.

A plumber or any local tradesperson arriving in such a vehicle would certainly turn heads – it’s a blend of history and craftsmanship that you don’t see every day. Using a 1971 van for modern-day business would surely spark conversations and make a memorable impression on customers. The Minor Van comes to market after ~9 years with Alice and ~44 years in her family's ownership. What are you waiting for? It’s time to give your customers something to talk about!

We’ve done all our usual seller checks, including photo ID, V5, and an HPI check on the vehicle.

We’ve summarised our view of the van based on the information provided by the seller above. However, as you can see, we go to great lengths to photograph and video the vehicle in high-resolution detail. This has been done so that you can make your own assessment from the comfort of your sofa. So, please sit back, have a cuppa, and take your time to review everything in this listing to make your own assessment of the vehicle’s condition. Viewings are also welcomed with all our listings, so please get in touch with us to arrange a suitable time—we just need to speak to you first and receive a valid photo ID before confirming.

If there’s anything you’re unsure about, no matter how small, please ask the owner in the comments section below before placing your bids, as bids can’t be retracted and form a binding contract if you win the vehicle—just like in a traditional auction house.