Registration No: TVF 497G
Chassis No: AAVC255823
MOT: Exempt

Motor Car Location: Cornwall

• Very rare Austin variant of the Minor Pickup presented in grey over contrasting black interior
• Has spent the last 10 years of its life in Cornwall and received regular MOTs with the last expiring in just Demember 2019, with all advisories being completed.
• Currently displays 77,272 miles on the odometer at the time of consignment

The Minor was conceived in 1941. Although the Nuffield Organization was heavily involved in war work and a governmental ban existed on civilian car production, Morris Motors' vice chairman, Miles Thomas, wanted to prepare the ground for new products to be launched as soon as the war was over. Thomas named the project 'Mosquito' and ensured that it remained as secret as possible, both from the Ministry of Supply and from company founder William Morris (Lord Nuffield), who was still chairman of Morris Motors. The overall concept was to produce a practical, economical, and affordable car for the general public that would equal, if not surpass, the convenience and design quality of a more expensive car. The new Morris Minor was launched at the British Motor Show at Earls Court in London on 27 October 1948. The original range consisted solely of a two-door saloon or a two-door tourer with a 918-cc engine and a starting price of £358

After much production success, closed van and open flat-bed ("pick-up") versions of the Minor were built from 1953 until the end of production. They were designed for commercial use with small businesses, although many were also used by larger corporations. Both the van and the pickup differed from the monocoque construction of the Saloon and Traveller variants by having a separate chassis. They also differed in details such as telescopic rear dampers, stiffer rear leaf springs and lower-ratio differentials to cope with heavier loads.

As BMC's policy was to provide both Austin and Morris with complete commercial vehicle ranges, Austin-badged variants of the Minor van and pick-up were sold following the end of Austin A35 production in 1968. These featured Austin badging and the corporate Austin 'crinkle-cut' radiator grille but were otherwise identical to the standard Minor commercials, and were sold as the Austin 6cwt and Austin 8cwt.

Manufactured in 1969 and registered later in that year, TVF 497G is a very rare Austin variant of the Minor Pickups and has spent the last 10 years of its life in Cornwall with its late owner. Presented in grey with contrasting black interior, this particular example has received regular MOTs over its life with the last expiring in just December 2019 and the advisories having been completed. TVF 497G displays 77,272 miles on the odometer and comes accompanied with a number of documents and invoices detailing the vehicle’s history from the late owner’s custodianship.

It is believed that TVF 497G remains largely original, with only the bed having been refurbished. However, it would benefit from a restoration with the paint showing its age in various locations.

Vendor Condition Ratings:

Bodywork: 'Average’
Engine: 'Good'
Electrical Equipment: 'Good'
Paintwork: ‘Poor'
Gearbox: 'Good'
Interior Trim: 'Very Good'

For more information, please contact:
Andreas Hicks
andreas.hicks@handh.co.uk
07929363573