Fiberglass Frame for Morris Traveller

Post by **Leo** » Fri Dec 21, 2007 7:22 pm

With the 1969 Morris Traveller that I have recently purchased there was some very interesting documentation and photos suggesting that a prototype Fibreglass Morris Traveller was produced by British Leyland in the late 60's. My understanding is that this was not put into production mainly because the colour of the fibreglass was to light.
Has anyone any more information on this?

Regards Leo

Post by **bmcecosse** » Fri Dec 21, 2007 7:47 pm

Sounds weird - is it official BMC paperwork ?

Post by **paulhumphries** » Fri Dec 21, 2007 8:19 pm

There was a van version made called the Cunard de luxe that was a fibreglass back for the Traveller .
From photo I reckon looked neat.
Russ can give more details if you email him as he sent me scanned copy of an article he wrote.

Paul Humphries

Post by **Leo** » Fri Dec 21, 2007 8:27 pm

This is one of the British Leyland photos showing the Traveller I have just purchased alongside the fibreglass framed prototype.
There is no paperwork but I understand the original owner of my car worked at the Morris Factory in Cowley

Leo

Post by **paulk** » Fri Dec 21, 2007 9:34 pm

A traveller without death watch beetle/dry rot/fungus/dutch elm diesease?

The british public would never stand for such a thing.

Personally I'd like one as long as they've galvanised the rest of it. It would last forever

Post by **Kevin** » Sat Dec 22, 2007 9:42 am

I have heard of this before but for the life of me I cant remember where and I think that there is one around but not completely sure, what did change is the rear posts on the later Travellers as they used a Laminated type of wood section.

Post by **Orkney** » Sat Dec 22, 2007 9:50 am

If i ever won the lotterywould have one made in carbon fibre - be stupid money but would look extremely cool !

Post by **Leo** » Sat Dec 22, 2007 10:55 am

Another British Leyland Photo of the Fibreglass Traveller

Post by **MoggyTech** » Sat Dec 22, 2007 2:14 pm

Pity this never went into full production IMHO. Looks great, and low maintenace. Might as my double glazing salesman for a quote

Post by **stevey** » Sat Dec 22, 2007 4:59 pm

Yeah id heard of this too but never seen one, i understand the price wasnt the best and that there were concerns over strength or something along those lines. Also I dont think they liked the colour.

Post by **RussLCV** » Mon Dec 24, 2007 8:18 am

Leo

Fantastic photos, where have they come from, do you have any of LCVs or the travellers without the windows?

Please feel free to e-mail at Russ@MinorLCVreg.co.uk

Post by **janstolp** » Thu Dec 27, 2007 2:05 pm

Leo,

You also showed a picture of a woodenframe complete with alu roof.The picture has disappeared but fortunately I saved it and is at the moment my "screensaver".
That I why I have time to study it and now I think we are looking at the plug for the Fiberglass traveller.All the corner are rounded off just like the fiberglass body.
Regards Jan

p.s.
In the meantime I rediscovered your pictures Leo!

Post by **Leo** » Fri Dec 28, 2007 8:22 pm

Jan

Yes I see what you mean, the rounded edges at the joints, it looks like this was used to make the fibreglass mould. Because it is made of wood I thought it was just a general assembly line photo.

Leo

Post by **twincamman** » Tue Feb 19, 2008 7:16 am

A few years back I had the idea of a woodgrain uPVC frame for a traveller. Unfortunately, I worked out that by the time you added the (very necessary) steel reinforcement, you'd need a V8 to deal with the extra weight.

Still, nice idea while it lasted!!

Post by **dunketh** » Fri Feb 22, 2008 9:25 am

Always surprises me that no-ones done this anyway as a modification.
I'm sure I remember a chap posting on here with the beginnings of a frame made from aluminium - another great idea.
I guess suppliers arent willing to take the risk on 'new' materials because most owners want to retain originality.