Morris minor advice please
Discussion
I cover a paltry 1500 miles a year, basically running the kids around locally. It does not seem worth running a modern car, although I do have a fiat 500.
For some reason I have fond childhood memories of a Morris minor and therefore want to get one. Budget is £3k, so would anyone have any advice as to whether it’s worth having or would it be too much aggro.
I am in the middle of a divorce, two young kids so maintenance time would be limited
Thanks
For some reason I have fond childhood memories of a Morris minor and therefore want to get one. Budget is £3k, so would anyone have any advice as to whether it’s worth having or would it be too much aggro.
I am in the middle of a divorce, two young kids so maintenance time would be limited
Thanks
Poor choice of words, apologies. I just thought that running something more depreciation proof maybe better. Also I don’t have enough confidence to deal with modern electronics. I guess if the MM went south I would be more inclined to take a stab at fixing it.
Part of me just wants to either join a car club or just get cabs everywhere when I need to.
Part of me just wants to either join a car club or just get cabs everywhere when I need to.
I've had a good number of Moggies over the years... Their number one problem is rust!! While not as bad as many of their contemporaries they can rot badly. A solid body is vital unless the price is right (and the car still saveable..) and you either have the skills and facilities to restore it yourself or are prepared to pay for the work to be done. A properly restored and rustproofed Minor will last for years.
Check every inch of a prospective purchase. Sills, spring hangers, 'chassis' rails, front crossmember all rot out. The wings are all bolt on but the parts they bolt to can still be rotten, especially the rears on the saloons.
Mechanically they are absolutely fantastic to work on. Everything is easy (apart from changing the master cylinder..) Simple electrics, bombproof engine, lovely gearbox and axle. They do need regular maintenance though. The brakes need periodic adjustment and ignore the front suspension grease nipples at your own risk. Many a front suspension has come apart purely do to lack of lubrication. Its all dead easy to do though, so no excuse.
The Minor's best points? Its great fun to drive, certainly not slow either, considering it's age. Very cheap to run too and If properly maintained, very reliable. They are not expensive to buy either.
Check every inch of a prospective purchase. Sills, spring hangers, 'chassis' rails, front crossmember all rot out. The wings are all bolt on but the parts they bolt to can still be rotten, especially the rears on the saloons.
Mechanically they are absolutely fantastic to work on. Everything is easy (apart from changing the master cylinder..) Simple electrics, bombproof engine, lovely gearbox and axle. They do need regular maintenance though. The brakes need periodic adjustment and ignore the front suspension grease nipples at your own risk. Many a front suspension has come apart purely do to lack of lubrication. Its all dead easy to do though, so no excuse.
The Minor's best points? Its great fun to drive, certainly not slow either, considering it's age. Very cheap to run too and If properly maintained, very reliable. They are not expensive to buy either.
Minors may be more expensive to buy, because they are so well known. There are lots of saloons from that era at fairly low prices - I quite like Wolseley/Riley 1500 - a bit more space and comfort and power than a Minor, but still easy to maintain.
Rust is the enemy with all of them though!
Rust is the enemy with all of them though!
£3k should get a decent solid car.
I've used one as a daily driver for a 12 mile round trip all in 30 limits and it was fine.
I used to pop the bonnet, check a few bits, check tyres, belts, lights, once a fortnight on the weekend. Took about 20 mins max. Then took it to fill it up.
Great little cars, get a late 4 door.
I've used one as a daily driver for a 12 mile round trip all in 30 limits and it was fine.
I used to pop the bonnet, check a few bits, check tyres, belts, lights, once a fortnight on the weekend. Took about 20 mins max. Then took it to fill it up.
Great little cars, get a late 4 door.
I've got one sat on my drive that gets used as our second car.
Cost £2k, has a bit of rust on it but I have a friendly welder who is tackling the worse bits as they get to bad. The rest of the maintenance is easy.
Plenty of good spares suppliers around, large clubs and active Facebook groups etc.
Very easy to modify as well, mine has a 1275 engine out of a sprite, disc brakes, anti roll bar etc. Makes it quick enough.
My kids love it, wife not so much. Perfect then!
Cost £2k, has a bit of rust on it but I have a friendly welder who is tackling the worse bits as they get to bad. The rest of the maintenance is easy.
Plenty of good spares suppliers around, large clubs and active Facebook groups etc.
Very easy to modify as well, mine has a 1275 engine out of a sprite, disc brakes, anti roll bar etc. Makes it quick enough.
My kids love it, wife not so much. Perfect then!
john2443 said:
Minors may be more expensive to buy, because they are so well known. There are lots of saloons from that era at fairly low prices - I quite like Wolseley/Riley 1500 - a bit more space and comfort and power than a Minor, but still easy to maintain.
Rust is the enemy with all of them though!
The Wolseley 1500 / Riley One-Point-Five is a good call but they can rust really badly with much of it hidden until it becomes very expensive or unviable to repair. Both my Rileys have had very extensive body repairs costing far more than any sane person would spend. Find one that's had the work done is the best option so expect to pay £4-5,000 at least.Rust is the enemy with all of them though!
They're not that much bigger than a MM but swap the front seats for reclining seats and they're comfortable enough for long trips. Economy isn't that great, especially on the twin-carb Riley, I get +/- 25mpg.
or buy this one and get a winter warming blonde included in the purchase 
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Gorgeous-1966-Morris-Mi...
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Gorgeous-1966-Morris-Mi...
hellsbuddha said:
Cheers all. Once I get my current car fixed up and sold I will start looking in earnest. Is anyone near NW London/ Bucks as I would like to see exactly what is done for preventive maintenance.
Join MMOC and find your local group. There will be a network of folk, some will have a shed full of spares, someone will do welding etc.There's a monthly column in minor matters reporting on training courses some bloke runs.
£3k won't stretch to an early car. Avoid the 803's, they are painfully slow. The 948's are ok but the 1087's drive just fine on modern roads.
Travellers command good money, and doing with wood is a big job and costly, so be carefull, but, I had a trav for ages and absolutely loved.
Had a Travellar as my 1st car back in '69 cost £5 with 9 months Mot great fun car, just remember to oil the trunnions regularly as the front upright is well know for parting company with the bottom wishbone. Riley 1.5 would be my choice to go with my Elf but try finding one these days.
I bought a convertible 3 years ago for £2800 (at night, in the rain in a service station but thats another story!)
It lives outside and sometimes gets used for a few weeks and sometimes sits for a few months.Its always reliable. Parts are readily available and reasonable.
The only factor which everyone has said....is rust, which seems to gather quicker than my 70's Alfa Romeo!
It always puts a smile on my face and everyone loves it. You won't regret.
It lives outside and sometimes gets used for a few weeks and sometimes sits for a few months.Its always reliable. Parts are readily available and reasonable.
The only factor which everyone has said....is rust, which seems to gather quicker than my 70's Alfa Romeo!
It always puts a smile on my face and everyone loves it. You won't regret.
hellsbuddha said:
I am in the middle of a divorce, two young kids so maintenance time would be limited
Then don't even consider an old car, especially as clearly in your current situation, when you need a car, you need a car that will work.A £3k Minor is right in that no-mans-land area between nice and being on-the-button and one needing constant fettling or remedial work.
JimmyJam said:
I bought a convertible 3 years ago for £2800 (at night, in the rain in a service station but thats another story!)
It lives outside and sometimes gets used for a few weeks and sometimes sits for a few months.Its always reliable. Parts are readily available and reasonable.
The only factor which everyone has said....is rust, which seems to gather quicker than my 70's Alfa Romeo!
It always puts a smile on my face and everyone loves it. You won't regret.
That’s the thing about the B series engines, they hardly ever let you down. When I were lad my jalopy would stay out in all weathers rain sleet snow and start on the button.It lives outside and sometimes gets used for a few weeks and sometimes sits for a few months.Its always reliable. Parts are readily available and reasonable.
The only factor which everyone has said....is rust, which seems to gather quicker than my 70's Alfa Romeo!
It always puts a smile on my face and everyone loves it. You won't regret.
A good dousing of one of the rust treatments keeps tin worm away.
Gassing Station | Classic Cars and Yesterday's Heroes | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff