METROPOLITAN POLICE, 1968 MORRIS MINOR, SYT 709F, IN RESTORATION, PRESERVATION AND SERVICE

This Morris Minor 2 door model, registration number SYT 709F is still running on its original low compression engine of 1098cc. 

It is painted in Bermuda Blue and Police White with Cherokee Red upholstery. Its build date was 23rd–29th January 1968 and it was dispatched to the Metropolitan Police on 29th January. It was fitted with a fresh air heater, seat belts, a swing back mirror and zipped headlining. These details were copied from a certified copy of the factory records from the British Motor Heritage Trust. 

The car was delivered to Surbiton Police Station in April 1968 and was given the fleet number 6219 and given a C classification. They were designated Unit Beat cars (panda cars) and officers were told that they were not to be used for chasing drunk drivers or stolen cars.

The Owner says "These pandas were usually driven for about a year when they had done around 60,000 miles and then sold off. I had been looking for a panda for some time, I had been to see a few but they were in very poor condition. I had been looking through a classic car site on the internet when I couldn’t believe my eyes; there was the car that I actually drove in service. I had to have it. "

The car was in excellent condition and it even won the best Police car at the Morris Minor Owners Club annual rally. I have had to do a few things to it, the wheels were the wrong colour and I had to remove the over riders from the bumpers. 

The Morris Minor was one of the most successful Police panda cars of all time with a large number of forces using them. They were tough enough to with stand the rigours of Police work plus they were simple and cheap to buy and maintain.