Morris Minor V8

Malcolm Longstaff presents his 1953 Moggie 4000. A wolf in rams clothing... Malcolm gives an account of the myriad parts that make a whole, and the car makes a whole lot of noise! Great stuff.
If you prefer to hear simply the engine and not the music then go to our video Morris Minor V8, and nothing but the V8. We cater for all tastes!

[@sami57]

As a time served mechanic who served his time on morris minor and morris 1000, i must say Mr Longstaff has a very creative imagination. Well done.

[@CycolacFan]

Been a few years since we featured this one in Practical Performance Car magazine, still love it. Every time I see it at a show Malcolm's done something new to it. What I originally said was: "You've gone to a lot of effort to make it look like nothing's been done to it." :-)

[@elund408]

I love Kustoms in which you know somthing has been done but it takes minutes of walking around to pick up on them. Nothing in your face obvious.

[@landsnailproject2875]

This devoted Minor owner is SO very impressed by your engineering skills! I LOVE your style

[@mikaelabowen5781]

I have to confess that I came to this video rather expecting yet another custom Moggy, something of which I'm not always a fan - but the picture lured me in! Oh wow! What a superb piece of work. This is a far cry from the butchered classic one sees all too often - this is a sensitively and very cleverly re-engineered reworking of the original. The extended nose is a work of art - very subtle and reminiscent of the MO Oxford's stretch to become the MS Six - with the Minor's proportions, lines and curves being maintained perfectly. The rear wings are so cleverly extended that I hadn't actually spotted the fact that they aren't stock. I am utterly delighted to see so many original features all retained - the interior is sublime - these are almost stealth modifications! So many modified cars end up as overblown cartoonish caricatures of their former selves, parodies that have lost any sense of originality, they become effectively new cars - but not this one; this one is subtle perfection wearing an entirely convincing patina of originality. I am in awe.

[@bobadams179]

The music takes away from the video. I would much rather hear the sound of that V8.

[@designanddirection]

When are we going to see it smoke the tyres, looks like it’s being driven at 10 miles an hour. Learn how to film a car so it looks like it’s driving fast!

[@andrewstratford4753]

Its a moggie body but thats about it.

[@NUBBY39]

TURN OFF THE MUSIC IT'S NOT NEEDED we want to hear the engine, nice Minor👍

[@malcolmlongstaff1887]

Thank you and it is available without music. Morris Minor v8, and nothing but the V8. BTM. Re released it.

[@m1cxf]

What music? I thought it was someone who had trapped their nads in their zip.

[@ziiofswe]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/f5K5pZedodair9U

[@Statimtek]

Chapeau Malcom.The engineering that went into that is amazing.You Sir are a true hot rodder.

[@shanehnorman]

The proportions, the stance, the detailing, all just breathtaking. I've been a hot rod fan since I had a subscription to Hot Rod Magazine as a schoolboy in the early-1960s and this is one of the very best, most authentic, rods I've ever seen or heard of in the UK. And that throwaway remark, "found it on a skip". The man is too cool.

[@stanleyknife1967]

Excellent job! I love the way you have retained the cars original charm and looks. I agree that it would have been nice to hear the glorious V8, but I guess I shall have to see the car in the flesh sometime.

[@raylarkin5004]

All the cut work just makes it look kinda thick and muscular in an understated way! I think this is a great build with all the very cool mods starting of course with that very tidy V-8 and cool accents. Then all the hand done trick pieces like the radiator and catchall under the seat. I could go on but suffice it to say, very cool one off with custom touches! Bravo dude!

[@MrDaveFisher]

Malcolm my dear old friend how are you? It’s Dave from the Manta V8 Register here. I’m so delighted to see you are still creating masterpieces. I’m not able to drive anymore as I’m registered as blind. You Sir are a genius.

[@papasteve215]

Great job stretching the front to accommodate the engine. I live in the southern US and I would love to to do own a Morris and replace the engine and drive train. I’ve owned three Mini’s and an Opal. Great job. Nicely done

[@stratznhatz]

Ive had the dubious honour of being a passenger in this car. I say dubious because it scares the crap out of me! Nice to see it getting some limelight, Malcs a great guy and a great engineer. If you read this Malcolm , look forward to meeting up again at events this year👍. Cheers, Andy.

[@paulrubery1042]

Lovely mix of old and new loads of style and creation top job mate 👍👍👍

[@jmsmaxwell]

When stationed in England from 68 - 72 several friends bought Morris cars to get around. they were easy to work on and fun to drive. Only problem I ever heard was they were under powered for Americans. Had one friend who bought a 68 Morris and brought it back stateside when he came home. He keep it for over 25 years before his son got it to drive to college. Took a bit of getting used to as the steering was on the 4 Right Hand side and the gear shift was a manual 4 speed, the biggest change was he has installed a v-6 in it and added Air Conditioning to make it more bearable in the summer back in Texas. His still has the car and say he would never sell it as it has to many fond memories to his family.

[@labrat7357]

Thanks for the video, I would rather hear the motor than music I don't even like. All the best.

[@JimmyLarsen33]

You never....NEVER EVER put music in videos with engine sound.....want me to say it again? Okay - N E V E R___E V E R put music in carvideos...................got it ??????

[@thedave7760]

Even the uplifting inspirational music halfway makes me look for the chunder bag.

[@malcolmlongstaff1887]

We have put up a version without music Morris minor v8 and only the V8. Point taken.

[@stephenvince9994]

Yeah did this half wit EVER look at a tube on how to make a tube....'kin idjut

[@BEATNIKMACHINE]

General rule of law is if you dont have something positive to say just dont say anything at all mate, this dude has A cool build so just enjoy it or don't bother leaving a comment! You are not being force fed the the video dude ! Your biggest video upload that you have ever had is 406 views so maybe you shouldnt be whining and excreting your prophesies upon the world and make A video that people want to watch before you winge about someone else's work , I got no hits on my youtube site so I don't feel the need to go and tell people with more hits than me how to do it ! Keep safe and keep that in mind in future ! Correct me if im wrong , No one is forcing you to watch anything !

[@jamesdio3835]

Jimmy Larsen just shut the fck up mate it’s his car next time pls black sabbath and listen to the v8 I say it again black sabbath pls

[@francispalmer9737]

The music spoil`d the sound of the engine.

[@ronnieboucherthecrystalcraftsm]

go and play with your five daughters mrs palmer !

[@johnrunciman2654]

That is a car Morris should have built! The body mods have really accentuated the classic lines of the Minor. Amazing how only a handful of dimensional changes can allow it to hold a V8 and look even better than original. Nice work..

[@kevinlee9751]

Yup, you are a Street Rodder. I have a 1946 Chevy pickup, this is my third 46 Chevy. Different Countries same love of vehicles. Great job very inventive. PS. I'm running a Chevy Caprice Classic cop car Chassis and a 5.9 Chrysler V8 I like the 4 wheel disc brakes and positrack rear end.

[@BobbyTucker]

Why would you run a Chrysler engine in a Chevy Caprice Classic? Would you please explain? I can't seem to find any logic, unless you're just trying to troll. lol.

[@burv1]

i have met malcolm he is a nice bloke last time was at the drive in mark rumble put on great work he does wish i knew half of what he does on my drive home he cruised passed me i was having a chuckle to myself wishing i had the engine in mine

[@mavros66]

magnificent work and such a modest chap too, loved it all (except the music)!

[@jimdavis8804]

Great Vid. When I was 21 in the US I had a 1952 two door. I loved that car.

[@romandybala]

Ironic the owner says he doesnt listen to the radio, would rather listen to engine then makes us listen to loud, generic rock music and we cant hear the engine.

[@ferrumignis]

Clearly the car owner did not make this video, he is not responsible for the terrible music.

[@SkullDivisioN564]

Right PLONKA... ay Gov

[@mickvonbornemann3824]

BTMTV did the video not the owner

[@isaacsrandomvideos667]

Lol but he didn’t make the vid

[@louismcfarlane3866]

I was born in 1953 which makes this thing my age. I Love it. Got my drivers licence on a Morris Minor 1000. Didn't own one but went on to own a Mini 1275 GT. and alas, a Austin Allegro. Here in Ontario, Canada we have a British Car Day every September with over 1000 cars, so I get to see cars like this. Good Job!

[@malcolmlongstaff1887]

Hi all the video is now available without the music Morris Minor V8, and nothing but the V8. We did take note of the comments. Malcolm. And thank you all for your kind words.

[@paulmcateer1595]

Absolutely love this! So many clever touches.

[@spiderbrandt4066]

Now that's awesome, I wanted to hear the car but the Music was so loud

[@malcolmlongstaff1887]

Thank you and it is available without music. Morris Minor v8 and nothing but the V8. BTM re released it.

[@stevenbreach2561]

Yes,they think all petrol heads are 14 years old and have a limited attention span

[@designanddirection]

When are we going to see it smoke the tyres, looks like it’s being driven at 10 miles an hour. Learn how to film a car so it looks like it’s driving fast!

[@thedolphin5428]

Yep. Stupid stupid music.

[@rossco289]

The music UGH !!!!!! HEY bloody great video, love the passion wow and the finished detailing, innovation thanks Malcolm I take my hat off to you.

[@grahamball364]

I just love your car , I had one at the end of the 70s held on to it for five years ,as it belonged to D French , wish I still had it , nice work ,👍

[@smoothmicra]

Makes me wish I had learned enough mechanical skills to build something like that. What a hoot!

[@Christerart1]

"The music spoil`d the sound of the engine." - too bloody loud and ruins the video!

[@stevenwithanS]

What a beautiful little car. Hats off to you. Great video as well.

[@hankcuccina5260]

Looks great, sounds terrific, well done.

[@paulp96275]

Bloody genius fantastic mods👍👨🏻‍🏭

[@georgebrown6540]

Great stuff all round thanks for sharing

[@Oooo-bi7bi]

Looks lovely, thanks for sharing.

[@JakobusVdL]

What an amazing custom car you have built. Fantastic work Malcolm.

[@wurzle48]

Nice work there mate , you've given me lots of ideas for some things I'm working on 👍

[@daveconyard8946]

Mate what a genius you are love it nice one !!

[@servicarrider]

I have always liked these cars.

[@TheGreatest1974]

What a fantastic job! The car looks amazing!

[@gordonmcfadyen4219]

Absolute utmost respect to you, I like cars, and I can honestly say your moggie is without doubt one of the best modified, untouched cars I've ever seen, 10/10.

[@jebsails2837]

A real sleeper! A Morris watcher could spot the changes, like your spectator did. On this side of the pond I recognized it as just a Morris as one of my teachers drove. Thank you from Narragansett Bay.

[@cymoncyrado2879]

The long nose is a dead giveaway. I hope to find a Travelall to restore in the near future... I love the old Minors.

[@timpartridge9773]

Beautiful work!

[@TomisaburoRMizugawa]

"I never listen to the stereo, I'd rather listen to the engine" ... Same here. Brilliant car though.

[@doncarlo5]

it really looks unmolestered and yet so much going on ... everywhere ... great job done here, even in the smallest detail

[@davidjones4452]

loved the car great job well done

[@Barrybristle]

Absolutely remarkable. My Minor was also a '53 Split Screen, purchased in 1966, but it unfortunately stayed at 803cc!

[@joelredman8729]

I am not a fan of Morris V8 conversions - but.... this example is excellent. Extending the front end rather than intrude on interior space (as so many do) is so much better. There is much to like in Malcolm's Moggy. Love high level brake light! A good looking, well thought through sleeper Malcolm.

[@Mercmad]

In New Zealand about 45 years ago i knew a guy called Bernard O'Brien who had an actual Buick V8 in his Morris Minor, His was pretty wild and had a vauxhall front suspension.An FC victor I think. His engine was a Buick,made before the rights to the engine were sold to Rover rather than a nail head.. 😀

[@farnthboy]

Here in Aussie my brother had a Morris Minor "Low Light" with a fully worked Holden 6 grey motor - the old 138 ci. He used to drag race it at Fishermans Bend in Melbourne in the late 60's. It was called Mighty Mouse & even got a write up in Australian Hot Rod Magazine. In its day it was a pretty quick car & consistently won it class at the drags. Them's were the days!

[@johnlowe8418]

Back in the day I had a mk2 Prefect with a mk2 zephyr motor&box, mk3 front suspension and a shortend mk2 diff, man could it fly.

[@romeo9017]

Spoiled by the music....

[@RetroJay1974]

Oh I like this alot! Makes a good change to something like this and done smart! Brlliant all round :D

[@ussweeneyd]

What a trip down memory lane! As you ran through the list of your early cars it made we wonder, why did I never meet you ? Great, honest streetwise rod.

[@graememorris7820]

Beautiful work.

[@kennyscott1089]

Wow. What a beast. Love it.

[@specialized29er86]

Sweet man and better love the look of the Oxford.

[@jaytee8188]

This just popped up in my recommended feed. Very cool and reminds me of a Minor I saw at the Hillingdon Show in Middlesex in that glorious summer of 1976 in the UK. At that impressionable young age it was an amazing event. It was white as I recall, it had a Jag V12 in it. And as almost every customiser of that era had whether Jag, Rover or whatever powered it had a Jag IRS. Something that stuck with me, I don’t know why because it’s insignificant compared to every thing else about the car (where the whole body lifted to accommodate the engine etc) but they had welded a spanner on to IRS diff cover. Not important but it registered with me. I would say this Minor was no more or less of a giant engineering feat. Well done, very well done and thanks for reminding of a great time long since past. 👍👍👍

[@tonieveritt7045]

Love what u have done to the moggy sweet.

[@phillipyannone3195]

I owned a 1953 Morris minor four door black with red interior. I drove it more than twenty years. I build a 1275 cc mg midget engine to Mini Cooper s specs and used the midget gearbox. It was very fast. The brakes were stock so stopping had to be planed way in advance. I heard the Austin marina disc brakes could have been adapted but I never got around to it.

[@raymondrobertson3869]

Just found this channel and think you are one of the cleverest guys I have ever watched. Keep up the great work. Cheers from Scotland

[@malcolmlongstaff1887]

Thank you Raymond 😁

[@graemew7001]

I've seen videos of this car leaving the White Lion Antiques car show and often wondered what it was running etc.....now I know, thank you so much. Malcolm takes me back to the days in the mid to late 80's Street Machine magazine collection I had in my teens when it was all things such as Ford Pop's with Jag IRS, Viva hc front and a Rover V8. True engineering customs with metal skill, recycled parts and thought behind them, none of this off the shelf plastic crap!!

[@kennethchitty6444]

Well done on the build ,an awesome hot rod

[@aijlee]

That is a stunning looking car!! I never liked the look of Morris Minors but the extended front end and flared wings transforms it totally! If only someone would gamble on producing a car that looks as cool as that.

[@claylennon2895]

It is so perfectly natural looking. Great work by you an artist in Autos. You are the Chip Foose of the UK! Very beautiful thing the Monster Mowog. Thanks

[@bodrinker]

Love it. Thanks for sharing

[@anthonymisell8845]

Now that is brilliant, I mucked around with Morris Minors when I was younger, and was always interested in putting in a larger motor, but never thought of extending the whole front as you have, the original 4 cylinder 850 motor was to small.

[@chunkyleejones3831]

"BIG! Thank you for sharing your very cool moggie.....👍🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟

[@martinhowe3679]

love it well done sir

[@11rollercoaster]

Great car and concept. Well done.

[@ShedTV]

It’s a shame differing views about the video presentation draw attention away from the fact that this is a very skilled and ingenious piece of engineering. The way the builder has sympathetically crafted the panels to fit around the running gear give it a unique period-mod look, and the mechanical engineering appears to make it a very useable and lively Minor. A great achievement.

[@moochincrawdad]

Wow, that's some serious engineering! 😃

[@tiggersmith7393]

I salute you Sir! well done!

[@infadeldog13]

How incredibly clever! Sooo much work yet respects the original aesthetics of the car - I'd call the the perfect build!

[@WryGrass100]

This fellow is a REAL thinker! Fine job!

[@danbolton3180]

My dad had one of these Morris Minors in the 60's. He let his brother use it while he was in basic training at Fort Lewis. His brother sold it before going to Vietnam, and pocketed the money. My dad had shitheels for relatives!

[@knockdolian12]

Saw this car at Shepton Mallet show. It’s fantastic. Best custom moggy I’ve ever seen and would sell a kidney for it 😲 .

[@jeepman012]

Man That is one sweet ride, great to see someone who is a real Hot Rodder, none of this bolt on crap, Enjoy.

[@mwhitelaw8569]

Very nicely done sir

[@HWCism]

Very impressive! Thanks

[@alexveldhuis6004]

Very nice build, such an eclectic mix of parts sourced for this build. Reminds me of project Binky.

[@chasevans7171]

Lzzy Hale's voice never spoiled anything. And I love the sound of V8's more than most. Two seconds into the vid and I had to pause it to write this due to the Halestorm music choice. Back to the vid then, moggy looks ace.

[@carcrazycansgarage3073]

Great looking project i like it.

[@jeffsnyder2051]

Nice work!!

[@sylviodante619]

Well done that's beautiful

[@pussinboots1145]

Master piece.

[@dub.rchapman75F]

One great V8 mate like how indicators protrude out of the door pillar when signalling also.thanks.

[@wheelerd02]

Really well thought out modifications. I would far sooner drive this than the latest boring turbo blobs that are about

[@stanleybowman4464]

Very well done, credit where credit is due. Never listen to the negative comments.!! Love the engine sound btw.

[@grahamgault8010]

the best kind of mods in my opinion are those that look factory , but are just subtle enough to make anyone look an think i just cant put my finger on it , but there is something different . full credit to you and your build mate .

[@RobHealey]

This Morris Minor looks far better than the real ones. the extension in length and width improve the look, the V8 sound is magic. Maybe this is what the Minor would have looked like if it was designed in the US.

[@tankosl]

Great video! You've given me a few ideas for my '54 splitscreen!!!!!!!

[@malcolmlongstaff1887]

Glad to hear that, hope to see it sometime. Good luck with the build. Malcolm

[@leighthompson2254]

Thank you Malcolm

[@bigbang7897]

You are a talented guy well done.

[@swississue4950]

My dad had a moggy van. Escort mark 1 van, anglia, corsair, vitesse V6, mini, that i know of ? Love the V8 ! And love the car unusual and sounds pucker !

[@Dunstire]

I'm just sitting here laughing thinking about the look anyone would have on their face if they were passed by a split-screen moggie doing 150 MPH! A splitty with a V8 was always a dream of mine even from being a teenager.Sadly my engineering skills were not up to the task and my pockets were not deep enough to pay someone else to do it,so it never transpired

[@jameshaynes8489]

one very cool car . good job

[@MrRoach-yo3mz]

Great Ideas.... It would fit right in here in the USA, we love Sleeper Hot Rods!

[@jimmyaber5920]

The air purge system efforts tell me he once owned a Renault or Peugeot and spent time lifting one end, hanging coolant tanks and opening multiple bleeder screws to get air out of system if it was ever drained.

[@bonkeydollocks1879]

Yes, Renault 14, tried everything in every combination but the heater output was rubbish. Stupid French idea

[@OrnumCR]

As the soundtrack says...’I like it’....The proportions are smack on and the car looks great. This car would have been amazing if it was produced by BMC as a production model. The stretch of the nose works so well and the lines of the car look great. Love the V8 nestled comfortably under that bonnet. Love the clever thought around the detailing and retention of originality coupled with just a hint of customisation. Well done.