Moe says, "I want more power, new paint, and cool wheels!" 

Moe's original specifications:

Two door sedan (VIN SMM54277 - this very early model had a split flat windshield, smaller rear window, and larger wheel openings in the rear fenders than later year models)

918cc "flathead" four cylinder engine
(27 horsepower, 39 foot lbs. of torque)

Wheelbase: 86"; overall length: 148"

Front track: 50.6"; rear track: 50.3"

Inspiration and visible differences:

  I took my inspiration from Gary Ellis' radical Minor - a chopped, channeled, and de-chromed later model (left)

Instead of Gary's scarlet paint and black convertible top, I'll replace Moe's Moe's root beer paint with a deep Mack Red and its sedan roof with a Carson top color-coordinated to the seat vinyl (right)

And instead of the ultra-wide, polished alloys he uses to harness a V8 engine, I'll substitute a set of more conservative, silver-painted 8-spoke alloys (left) and won't add the fender flares Gary did

Less obvious parts of the build plan:

Channel Moe's body down over a 1969 VW bug chassis which has a wider track (1" in front and 2.8" in the rear), and 8.5" longer wheelbase (the top photo, right, shows a stock Minor; the photochop below is how it looks when the wheel openings are relocated within the fenders to match the VW's wheelbase - the front wheels are a bit further forward and the rear wheels are centered in the fender arch)

Nearly double Moe's horsepower and torque by using a stock VW 1600cc dual port engine (red in xray view, below).

Lower the car a few inches by adjusting the front and rear torsion bars (this VW chassis has ball joint front suspension and independent rear suspension).

Replace Moe's original engine (light blue in the xray view) with the VW's fuel tank and spare tire.

Upgrade the VW front drum brakes to cip1.com's front disc brakes and swap in an EMPI trigger shifter (right) to add some sportiness to the driving experience.

  Refurbish a pair of VW bug lowback front seats with new Saddle (tan) TMI covers and Peak Seat Heater kits. There will be no back seat, just a carpeted cargo area for lawn chairs, an EZ-UP, and a cooler. Reconfigure the dashboard for a single instrument in the center (a VW SuperBeetle speedometer with included fuel gauge).

Replace the aged 5.00x14 bias-ply tires on Moe's stock steel wheels (4-on-4.5" bolt circle) with 195/50R15 and 205/55R15 tires on 8-spoke 15" alloy wheels (4-on-130mm bolt circle). The diameter of the new tires is larger than the stock  Morris Minor tires, but smaller than stock VW bug tires.

Recess our club plaque (left) into the front grill area and mount a Washington (state) Collector Vehicle license plate on the rear lid.

TECH SUPPORT (and a LOT of detail photos).  A book I found especially useful in planning this Morris Minor project is shown to the left. You can order it through Amazon.com (at a significant savings over retail) by clicking on the picture.