I'm a potential buyer.

I've owned a 2.5 MkIV and 2x 3.5MkV in the distant past.

Whilst perfectly comfortable with the benign mechanical nature of these (after tearing what's left of my hair out dealing with old French cars for the last 8+ years) and metal repairs (cutting & shutting) are almost 2nd nature now, the fact that these vehicles are timber framed from the windscreen back fills me dread and causes me to lose sleep.

I've been told that timber repairs may involve weird techniques like steaming & bending. I suspect people skilled in this have gone to God now.

Can anyone provide insight on how to spot serious defects?

 

Are you sure the body frame is all wood ? I thought it was only the doors that were timber framed, but I could be wrong. The saloon bodies, of course, were all steel.
There are still some experts in the world with the knowledge, like Morgan Cars, but maybe none in your state of Victoria, but there may be somebody in Australia somewhere. After all, Morgans are sold in Australia, and I don't suppose they're sent back to England for body repairs.

 

Hi,
I have repaired some of the wood on my MKV DHC.
Indeed, most of the wood is inside the doors, and especially the underside could rot.
I repaired those area's not be steaming and bending, but by taking several thin planks of wood, shape them by cutting and then glueing them together.
Adding some extra strenght later onwards by adding wooden wedges.
It is not as original, but it does the job and if well shaped, it looks good.