advice for a potential new owner

[ferny]

Hi, I'm looking for some advice. I currently own a Triumph Herald 13/60 which I use as a daily driver. My mum is on the look-out for a Morris Traveller and she wants to use it as her only car, doing around 3k miles a year. I know next to nothing about Moggies so I came here.

As I understand it, they normally have drum brakes on the front? What are the honest views on them? I know early Herald drums are meant to be, well, a bit poor to be polite. She's used to driving a Citroen C5 (ie, a bus...) which has [very] sharp brakes. How much would a disc conversion cost if it's needed and possible? Doing the work myself that is, so parts cost.

Any signs to spotting a 1098cc engine (series V?) over a 948 (Series III?)? I can spot the different types of Triumph engine but only because I've been around the cars. A 1.1 would be far more sensible for modern traffic in my eyes, unless you guys feel otherwise?

Any other tips or advice? She's looking in the region of £1,500 so obviously not a minter. As long as the wood is ok and there are no huge lumps of rust that's an ok figure, is it not?

When she gets the car one of us will join your club. I'm a firm believer of car clubs and I'm a member of Club Triumph and the Triumph Sports Six Club.

[Orkney]

Welcome !
have just rebuilt brakes one which had as good as no brakes, 8" front drums - when working properly they are perfectly adequate for the daily trip to the post office.
having started from scratch though probably could have done a disc conversion for 50% more cost, think all told the bill in parts was £200 which was everything apart from master cylinder.

Can there be a sticky for this topic?

[aupickup]

engine sizes are normally marked on the left hand side of the block.
also the year of the traveller will dictate anyway, unless an early model has been upgraded to a 1098 or even a 1275
there are many disc brake conversions on the market, also can use marina disc brakes
they are good as a daily driver, many members use them as daily drivers
good luck and welcome

[alex_holden]

I've just come back from a 2300+ mile trip with recently rebuilt standard brakes and not had the slightest bit of trouble from them. You just need to remember to use engine braking on long/steep hills so they don't overheat and fade. That said, I am planning to upgrade to larger 9" front drums soon to eliminate the fading risk altogether. A good condition 1098 is well capable of keeping up with modern traffic.

[wibble_puppy]

hi ferny and welcome!!

it's definitely practical to use a standard spec Minor as a daily car, lots of people do just that. The drum brakes should be more than adequate as long as they are well maintained, well-adjusted, and you renew parts (including the drums) when necessary.

You certainly get a bit more welly from a 1098 but many people love the 948 engine for its smoothness.

I do feel that £1,500 for a traveller with good wood and no obvious rust problems is a bit optimistic. More like £2,500 if you are lucky. The traveller is a very popular model (as you'll have seen from looking around the forum) and people are all over good examples. £1,500 would get you much more saloon than traveller for your money.

I'd certainly join the club at this stage, if for nothing else than the good quality buyer's guide available to club members. Also once you are a member you can join your local branch, where you will find v useful expertise in helping advise on a purchase and even coming along to look at possible cars with you/your mum - it's easy to miss the typical trouble spots, particularly on a traveller, unless you have relevant experience.

look forward to hearing more about your quest! best of luck and hope to see you at a rally some time

wibble

[Kevin]

Hi Ferny you are more than welcome to pop along to our Herts Branch meeting and we can give you some pointers as to whats what, we meet the second Wednesday of each month at 7-30pm onwards in London Colney which is only 10 - 15 miles from you, if you want some more info send me a PM.
Also Juliet it right as regards prices as generally you dont get much of a Traveller for £1,500 unless you are very lucky.