http://www.orchidcars.co.uk/1929_Morris ... aloon.html
Interestingly Orchid states: "M12949 was built at Cowley around the 28 August 1929 and was initially sold new to New Zealand and was re-imported into the UK at the beginning of 2009. Most saloons were fabric bodied, whereas the ‘Coachbuilt’ saloon, as in the case of this car, is metal panelled."
First, the chassis number is M12504 as correctly stated earlier in the page. Second, the first coachbuilt saloon was M12739 which was laid down 22nd August and was the first car of the 1930 season production (production of 1929 season cars having been halted with M12738 in 14th August). Third, M12504 was laid down 12th August - not "around the 28th August" as Orchid states. (And fourth, the ad states "1929 saw the introduction of the Minor with an overhead camshaft engine". Close - it was 1928!)
As can be seen from the above photo, the car's rear frame is that of a fabric saloon - quite different to the coachbuilt saloon. This car was therefore panelled in New Zealand at an unknown time, but the car definitely left Cowley as a fabric saloon.
For comparions, here is Colin Lee's M29266. Note the distinctly domed rear end above the waist rail and the domed steel area over the last 9 inches or so of the roof - unlike that of the fabric saloon.
And an unmolested fabric saloon for comparison:
