Anyone here got a Morris Minor?
Discussion
Just curious really. I'm sure the 1950s technology would rapidly start to grate in reality ... but in theory they seem practical, affordable and tough enough to use as regular trasnport. I've got a thing for old cars and I can't deny every time I see them going for barely more than shed money in the classifieds it gets me thinking. 
Chris71 said:
Just curious really. I'm sure the 1950s technology would rapidly start to grate in reality ... but in theory they seem practical, affordable and tough enough to use as regular trasnport. I've got a thing for old cars and I can't deny every time I see them going for barely more than shed money in the classifieds it gets me thinking.
I haven't, I did try and buy one at the end of my road last year, but they wanted too much for it.Some rather interesting stuff here: http://www.jlhmorrisminors.co.uk/#
Mostly (maybe all?) tax exempt, not too bad on fuel, easy to work on, good spares availability (I presume), big owners community, cheap insurance (this maybe only if you have a 'main car' as well), and quite practical. Plus plenty of character. 
Does seem good to me. A friend of a friend has one as a general car alongside a classic Land Rover.
ETA: I'd go for an 'A' series engined one due to parts availability and I think greater performance.
Does seem good to me. A friend of a friend has one as a general car alongside a classic Land Rover.
ETA: I'd go for an 'A' series engined one due to parts availability and I think greater performance.
PH lurker said:
Mostly (maybe all?) tax exempt, not too bad on fuel, easy to work on, good spares availability (I presume), big owners community, cheap insurance (this maybe only if you have a 'main car' as well), and quite practical. Plus plenty of character.
Yep, pretty much what I was thinking. Tempting isn't it?Hmm, if you needed a modern car to go alongside it, then a mk1 MX5 on mainstream insurance and a Traveller to carry the shopping in would be quite a tempting budget combo.
ETA On a related note, I quite like this ad and I reckon it might be fun on some suitably skinny tyres: http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/2842942.htm
Edited by Chris71 on Wednesday 25th May 15:38
All of them are tax exempt, the last was made in 1971. Morris 1000s (948/1098cc) are perfectly usable cars on modern roads, earlier (803cc or sidevalve) models maybe a bit less so Parts availability and ease of maintenance both very good which is the most important thing for a daily classic.
This could be you: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ooBJ2Z2sZvo
Parts availability and ease of maintenance both very good which is the most important thing for a daily classic. This could be you: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ooBJ2Z2sZvo
Same as Me....love old motors. If I didn't have a 50 mile round trip everyday over foggy wet Pennine roads then I would certainly have something like a Moggy/Herald etc for everyday use. Dead reliable if service intervals kept up with & as cheap as chips as far as running costs go, in fact its as close to free motoring as you are going to get!
To be honest I have has several old Triumphs in the past 15 years or so, plus a Mk2 Cortina. The technology (or lack of) is all part of the charachter, it never bothered Me but thats probably because I find modern cars extremely dull, comfortable yes but fun?..NO!
Just buy one, if you don't like it sell it on. I doubt you will lose any money!
To be honest I have has several old Triumphs in the past 15 years or so, plus a Mk2 Cortina. The technology (or lack of) is all part of the charachter, it never bothered Me but thats probably because I find modern cars extremely dull, comfortable yes but fun?..NO!
Just buy one, if you don't like it sell it on. I doubt you will lose any money!
Keep an eye out for rust, as this will be what kills them.
Aside from that you'll need a big bag of spanners (AF / whitworth etc.) as all kinds of nuts & bolts will have been fitted over the years. You'll need to use those fairly regularly too, but the cars are easy to work on & maintain.
Aside from that you'll need a big bag of spanners (AF / whitworth etc.) as all kinds of nuts & bolts will have been fitted over the years. You'll need to use those fairly regularly too, but the cars are easy to work on & maintain.
Pher Mark Borthwick has a traveller to run alongside his Ferrari 308 http://www.pistonheads.com/members/showcar.asp?car...
My BiL is also chairman of the East Mids/Notts Moggy owners club as well should you need any advice - he has 2, an old split screen and a slightly newer one he uses daily.
My BiL is also chairman of the East Mids/Notts Moggy owners club as well should you need any advice - he has 2, an old split screen and a slightly newer one he uses daily.
thinfourth2 said:
I'd love one with a modern engine
A small economical modern engine with a caterham 6 speed box would be great
Check the link out I posted.A small economical modern engine with a caterham 6 speed box would be great
K-Series conversions are very common and easy and with 1.8 VVC units costing £400 off ebay it's quite an affordable swap.
Although the company in the link seems to prefer Ford Duratec swaps these days. More torque and potentially more power, but a heavier less sweet motor imo.
Period engine swaps the I believe the Fiat Twin Cam was favoured by many.
I can think of at least half a dozen cars I'd love to own for no more than about £1500 (including the Moggie). The really annoying thing is I no longer have the money to go and buy one on a whim - even at that sort of money.
Out of interest, what are the brakes like? That's one area where I'd be less willing to compromise - are disc conversions or anything common?
Out of interest, what are the brakes like? That's one area where I'd be less willing to compromise - are disc conversions or anything common?
Chris71 said:
Yep, pretty much what I was thinking. Tempting isn't it?
Hmm, if you needed a modern car to go alongside it, then a mk1 MX5 on mainstream insurance and a Traveller to carry the shopping in would be quite a tempting budget combo.
ETA On a related note, I quite like this ad and I reckon it might be fun on some suitably skinny tyres: http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/2842942.htm
Aye, and the mk1 MX-5 plus Morris Minor Traveller is a nice idea too though I'd go with a saloon as I'd be scared of the wood rotting.Hmm, if you needed a modern car to go alongside it, then a mk1 MX5 on mainstream insurance and a Traveller to carry the shopping in would be quite a tempting budget combo.
ETA On a related note, I quite like this ad and I reckon it might be fun on some suitably skinny tyres: http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/2842942.htm
Edited by Chris71 on Wednesday 25th May 15:38
Hitler Hadrump said:
All of them are tax exempt, the last was made in 1971. Morris 1000s (948/1098cc) are perfectly usable cars on modern roads, earlier (803cc or sidevalve) models maybe a bit less so Parts availability and ease of maintenance both very good which is the most important thing for a daily classic.
This could be you: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ooBJ2Z2sZvo
I thought of that video, it looks ace Parts availability and ease of maintenance both very good which is the most important thing for a daily classic. This could be you: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ooBJ2Z2sZvo
.YB Turbo said:
Plenty of room for a V8.
Waaaaaaay back my uncle dropped a V8 in his Minor. It was around the time when the Renault 5 GT was becoming popular. Needless to say my uncle embarrassed a few rich kids.....
He still has an ongoing project in his garage. I think its a slightly fettled A series engine (1200cc???) no idea really but i hear it used to go quite well and was almost illegaly loud due to a 'cherrybomb' straight through exhaust.
I've always liked the shape of the morris minor. They just seem to flow well.
Tiff Nidell is a fan of them. He says theyre a perfect car for learning 'drifting' round wet roundabouts as they are RWD have decent chassis and arent really powerful enough to kill you if it goes tits up.
Hitler Hadrump said:
This could be you: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ooBJ2Z2sZvo
That video was in the back of my mind! Just realised where it is too. Sparkford... I did my first ever track driving in a 'full size' car there. This was our street about 3 years ago, all are daily drivers from 2 households. Ours was the Trav at the end and such a great car, especially for Cornwall. Only upgrades were, disc brakes, unleaded head, inertia reel seat belts, halogen lights, electronic ignition and obviously a newer fuel pump all quite cheap and esy to fit. Sold it as we are obverseas and it would not sit well in a seaside garage for years! When I return I'm getting another Trav same colour but will have a K series fitted with some minilites etc and a custom full length rack for my surfboards! Its all planned out. 
Yachtworker said:
Only upgrades were, disc brakes, unleaded head, inertia reel seat belts, halogen lights, electronic ignition and obviously a newer fuel pump all quite cheap and esy to fit.
Sounds like a great spec. A sensible amount of modern safety kit, but retaining the character of the oily bits.What's a healthy (standard) A-Series example like on the motorway?
Well now, Motorway...I have to be honest the nearest one to us in Cornwall is the M5 at Exeter, 2+ hours away but it sat ok on the ups and downs of the A30 St Ives to Newquay that sort of thing. My first car was a very standard saloon and 15 - 16 years ago I used to drive that from Falmouth to Bristol, all I can remember was you take it easy, drive aware and stop more as the fuel tank is quite small. They go ok on a Mway, but I remember selling the minor and getting a white 1.6L Capri (4 speed as well) and thinking that it was just the business on a big road and knocked a fair bit of time off the Bristol journey, that may give you an idea. Every journey will be an adventure but people sure do love to smile and wave at a Morris going past.
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