1949 Morris Minor 'Low Light'
A July 1949 'Low Light' Morris Minor Series MM, originally delivered by a Liverpool dealer, this car has accumulated roughly three decades of continuous historic motorsport use and is regarded by some as the oldest racing Morris Minor in existence. It has been invited to the Goodwood Revival on five occasions, competing in the St Marys Trophy alongside drivers including Brian Redman, Tony Jardine, Rauno Aaltonen, and Richard Attwood. A comprehensive rebuild was undertaken in 2008 and a high-specification race engine installed and refreshed around 2017–2022.
Ownership
- 2025-02-22Auction saleSold £25,000 (≈ $31K)
- → 1949-07-01Factory deliveryW Watson and Copartial documentation
Liverpool-based dealer that supplied the car new in July 1949.
- Date unknownAcquisition unknownCurrent vendorpartial documentation
Fastidious owner who has maintained and raced the car for approximately 12 years prior to this sale, continuing its established career in historic motorsport.
Competition
- 2008St Marys Trophy2008 Goodwood Revival – St Marys TrophyDriver: Current vendor
Co-driven with Brian Redman.
- 2014St Marys Trophy2014 Goodwood Revival – St Marys TrophyDriver: Current vendor
Co-driven with Tony Jardine.
- 2017St Marys Trophy2017 Goodwood Revival – St Marys TrophyDriver: Current vendor
Co-driven with Rauno Aaltonen.
- 2019St Marys Trophy2019 Goodwood Revival – St Marys TrophyDriver: Current vendor
Co-driven with Rauno Aaltonen.
- 20192019 Donington Historic Festival7th overall
One of four outings at the Donington Historic over the years.
- 2021St Marys Trophy2021 Goodwood Revival – St Marys TrophyDriver: Current vendor
Co-driven with Richard (Dickie) Attwood.
- 2022Sopwith Cup2022 Goodwood Members Meeting – Sopwith Cup4th overall
Maintenance & restoration
- 2008RestorationIK Classics
Complete rebuild of the car carried out by IK Classics.
- 2017Engine rebuild
Full-race 1,293cc engine built with steel crankshaft and connecting rods, Swiftune 1.4-ratio rocker assembly, billet race camshaft and followers, Omega forged pistons, ARP fasteners, aluminium flywheel and backplate.
Engine subsequently refreshed in 2022 with new liners; dyno output recorded at 140 bhp with only two race hours since refresh.
- 2022Engine rebuild
Comprehensive refresh of the race engine at significant expense, including new liners; rolling-road session confirmed approximately 140 bhp output.
Only approximately two race hours recorded since this work was completed.
- 2022MechanicalPeter May
Installation of a Peter May straight-cut close-ratio gearbox, heavy-duty competition clutch (zero hours), and a Quaife limited-slip differential.
Gearbox recorded as zero hours at time of cataloguing.
- —Modification
Bodyshell acid-dipped and seam-welded; all-steel panels fitted throughout with no fibreglass or composite materials; polycarbonate windows installed.
- —Modification
Roll Centre six-point roll cage fitted; Sparco seats and full race harness installed, with harness valid to 2029.
- —ServiceRae Davis
Ongoing maintenance overseen by Rae Davis, keeping the car in race-ready condition.
Described as requiring only minor preparation and routine checks before competition use.
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