Hi everyone. I have found a Morris 850 in a falling down barn. Last registration was 1982. It has been sitting a long long time and will need a complete restore. Looking around there are others similar complete for $15000 upwards. Trying to determine what is an appropriate amount of money that I would need to spend on this car to bring it back to life, or am I better spending the money and getting one already done. It would be a shame to leave it there but I feel it is possibly going to cost more than it is worth to get it done, even if I do a lot of the work myself.

Any help indicating costs for restores would be greatly appreciated, as this will also determine what I think the car is worth in current state.

Thats got 15k in bodywork and paint alone.
Would be a great project if you want a project, but if you want to do it up and make money i don’t think its suitable. What do they want for it?

That's what you really call a "barn find". Gold nugget!

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1967 Cooper S - new front bearings to do.
1965 Cooper S shell - all painted up, ready for fit out.
1969 Cooper S Mk2 - claimed by 2nd. born
1966 Deluxe- next rustoration!
Mk 2 & XJ6 Jags. Less said the better.

Where is the barn?

The car should be saved...

Cost to restore depends on how much work you can do yourself.

Best thing to do would be get hold of it...clean it up...then do the minimum mechanical work required to make it roadworthy (assuming that the body does not have any serious rot or other problems)...then take stock of what you have

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"Show me the Mini!"

I think it is worth saving even if it ends up parts car, I would hate to see the barn literally fall onto it. I am going to have a discussion with the owner to see if they are evn willing to sell it, but I think every rubber and wire on the car is going to need to be replaced and a few panels replaced. I think if I bite it off over a few years and spread the costs it would be that car you just always keep. The floors etc are all good, no rust from what I could see but I forgot to check the bottom of the doors etc. Need to hit is with high pressure hose and see whats left.

See if you can get access to the engine bay and a photo of the ID plate. If it's a very early car, for example, it may make it more valuable or important to keep and restore. Also, what is the ownership history? If a one-owner with original handbook, or once owned by someone "well known" that will affect the value.

You can get an idea of build date from the Morris 850 Register here - viewtopic.php?f=54&t=95881

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ex-NSW Police 1970 MK II Cooper S
VMCI #43

Any mini will be worth saving from a scrapyard. Even if it’s not suitable for restoration many parts on the car are very difficult to find, so it’s worth seeing what’s useable.

Even if you just straighten the body panels and get it mechanically sound you’ll be out on the road and enjoying it

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I did look on the registry and it is not on there yet. The people that own it currently have owned it for 50+ years. Will have to get more info out of them soon. I am unsure about any handbooks etc that they may have if any. It falls between the 2 cars on the registry as shown.

Due to the large number of 850's built the Register only shows a summary of data spread throughout the production period. It would be impractical to include all 850 data, even if it was known.

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ex-NSW Police 1970 MK II Cooper S
VMCI #43

I'd definally like to see more pics of the body, look for rust, interior condtion and extra dents and body damage.
IMO a basic rebuild will cost 10k with you doing pretty much ALL the work. I don't believe a resto can be done for profit at the end of the day. But if you like/love the car and can do the work yourself (to keep costs down) well then it's definatly worth it

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Respect mine and I'll respect yours.

I have one just like that..WITH a famous name (in certain circles on the rego list...

In the UK it would be worth real money. Here? it a decent shell and so's probably worth a few thou.

If you get it for pin money ..and have the space to stash it away its probably a worthwhile toy to have.

If you're looking to cash in then, if they give it to you, you'll probably make a profit. Unless you can do lots yourself you're at least $25K away from something you can show off in...

Cheers, Ian

I was thinking it is going to need $20k (ish) to get it looking awesome. I am keen to have something to tinker away with over time and would prefer that than dropping $20k on one already done, I just don't have that kind of $$s for a toy.

Figure it is going to appreciate in value if done period correct and all matching numbers. So maybe in 5 or 10 Years time it might be worth $30k

Don't bet on selling it for more than it costs you to buy and restore, it'll never be worth big money.

Sitting there like that I wouldn't pay more than $1500 for it, and even then I'd be reluctant

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did I tell you that I won a trophy?

I had a Leyland Mini as a 17yr old, I am now 40yrs old and ALWAYS wanted a Morris Mini. I am torn over the opportunity to save something I love so much and be able to do it myself (probably spending more in the long run) rather than paying for one already done and just drive it. I think I am at the point where I want to be able to drive it and have the satisfaction that it was my own hard work and effort that I am in. It is about setting a realistic expectation with the Minister for Finance and a time period. I think I can get it done in 5 years. Also my Son who is 8 now is very into cars and anything to do with working in the shed, so I think it is something we can definitely spend time together building up.