Morris Ute Rebuild Project

800 hours, 12 months and one first road trip.

View Photos

From auction find to road-going classic

This project website follows Dave Donnelly's Morris Minor utility rebuild from the original auction photos, through strip down, body repair, paint, mechanical reassembly, interior work and the finished ute. The rough timeline below is based on the photo dates and the restoration story: about 800 hours over 12 months, finishing with its first road trip.

Morris Minor utility before restoration

Project Progress

A quick summary of the build before diving into the full photo timeline.

800hours invested
12months of work
24photos in the project
1stroad trip completed

Rescued and rebuilt

The project started as a tired Morris utility found through auction and turned into a full rebuild.

Body, paint and detail

The turquoise paint became the signature of the rebuild, bringing the classic shape back to life.

Back on the road

After months of workshop progress, the ute reached the milestone that matters: a successful first road trip.

Rough Restoration Timeline

This timeline is estimated from the photo dates and stages visible in the images. It can be refined later if Dave provides exact dates or notes.

Aug 2025
Auction find

Auction find

The Morris Minor utility was spotted through the City Motor Auction Group listing. This is the starting point of the story — a tired ute with plenty of potential.

Late Aug 2025
Strip down and assessment

Strip down and assessment

The rear tray, panels and interior started coming apart so Dave could properly inspect the chassis, body and rust areas before committing to the rebuild.

Sep 2025
Body and mechanical teardown

Body and mechanical teardown

The ute was stripped further, exposing the engine bay, cab, chassis and problem areas. This stage set the direction for the bodywork and mechanical rebuild.

Oct 2025
Paint begins

Paint begins

The turquoise colour started going onto the internal shell and firewall areas. This was the first real glimpse of the Morris becoming something special.

Nov 2025
Engine and mechanical reassembly

Engine and mechanical reassembly

The refreshed engine went back into the painted bay, with the rebuild moving from preparation into real reassembly.

Jan 2026
Tray, guards and body finishing

Tray, guards and body finishing

Protection, paint and detail work continued around the guard and tray sections as the utility body came together.

Feb–Mar 2026
Workshop reassembly

Workshop reassembly

The front panels, grille and body trim were progressively fitted. By this stage the Morris was clearly taking its final shape.

Jun 2026
Finished and first road trip

Finished and first road trip

After roughly 800 hours across 12 months, Dave’s Morris completed its first road trip — the milestone that turned the project back into a driving classic.

Photos

Click any photo to open the full-size version. Photos are arranged roughly from the earliest project stage through to the finished ute.

Auction listing
Auction listingThe Morris Minor utility appears in the City Motor Auction listing — the beginning of the project.
Before restoration
Before restorationFront view before the rebuild, showing the tired paint and original condition.
Before restoration side view
Before restoration side viewSide view of the Morris before work began, with rust, worn paint and a long road ahead.
Strip down begins
Strip down beginsRear tray and chassis exposed as the ute starts coming apart for assessment.
Body opening up
Body opening upDoors and tray removed so the rust, structure and inner areas could be inspected.
Cabin stripped
Cabin strippedInterior stripped back with temporary support in place, ready for repair and preparation.
Bare shell outside
Bare shell outsideThe Morris stripped down outside the workshop with panels, doors and tray removed.
Engine bay exposed
Engine bay exposedThe original engine bay revealed during the teardown and assessment stage.
Cab repair detail
Cab repair detailClose-up of the cab opening and body repair areas during preparation.
Fresh colour inside shell
Fresh colour inside shellThe turquoise colour starts appearing inside the body shell.
Painted shell progress
Painted shell progressInterior shell and firewall areas coated in the bright turquoise finish.
Engine back in
Engine back inRefreshed engine installed into the painted engine bay.
Engine detail
Engine detailClose-up of the rebuilt engine and bright red fan during reassembly.
Under guard and tray work
Under guard and tray workPaint, protection and preparation around the rear guard and tray area.
Front assembled in workshop
Front assembled in workshopThe cab painted, grille installed and the ute starting to look complete again.
Workshop assembly
Workshop assemblyThe turquoise body back together in the workshop with front details taking shape.
Workshop progress wide view
Workshop progress wide viewA wider workshop view showing the rebuild nearing completion.
Painted body in workshop
Painted body in workshopFront panels painted and fitted, with the tray still to be completed.
Paint finish close-up
Paint finish close-upClose-up of the side and guard showing the fresh turquoise paintwork.
Interior details
Interior detailsDashboard, gauges, steering wheel and trim coming together inside the cab.
Finished front view
Finished front viewFinished Morris ute out in the open, showing the final stance and paint.
Finished side profile
Finished side profileSide profile showing the restored tray and classic Morris utility shape.
Finished front angle
Finished front angleFront angle after completion, with grille, lights and bumper fitted.
Finished rear view
Finished rear viewRear view showing the completed tray, tailgate, lights and final finish.

Project Notes

The website is a James Perry Producction for Pop's Morris Rebuild