Wish me luck

Post by **tfee** » Sat Nov 22, 2008 6:16 pm

My latest winter project pulled up this morning on a trailer, a 1971 Morris Minor Traveler. It needs a lot of work, all the wood is rotted out, the floorboards have been fiberglassed over, probably due to rust and the front fenders are falling off. To make matters worse I paid too much for it. But I will have to put that in the past so that I can make some progress with her.

Wish me luck

Todd

Post by **jonathon** » Sat Nov 22, 2008 6:19 pm

Welcome and good luck Todd

Post by **PSL184** » Sat Nov 22, 2008 6:21 pm

I think we've all had that feeling but all worth it in the end - good luck !!

Post by **aupickup** » Sat Nov 22, 2008 6:25 pm

GOOD LUCK

Post by **bmcecosse** » Sat Nov 22, 2008 6:53 pm

Welcome to the forum! Can you post up some pics of the Traveller - and I'm guessing you are in USA or Canada?

Post by **d_harris** » Sat Nov 22, 2008 10:26 pm

hmm 1971 traveller, the best of the lot!

(not that I am biased or anything

)

Post by **MGFmad** » Sat Nov 22, 2008 11:25 pm

Good luck with your project, I have just finished mine and it sounds like it was in a similar state to yours.

Remember and post plenty progress updates.

Post by **alainmoran** » Sun Nov 23, 2008 12:32 am

Aye, I had that feeling with my first minor ... but as soon as you get to drive her those feelings will all be forgotten and replaced with a silly grin

Post by **tfee** » Sun Nov 23, 2008 12:52 am

Thanks guys, bring on the silly grin! This car is seriosly rotted out, the head lights pretty much fell out f the fender and the bumper fell off too once the grille bolts were loosened. My biggest fear is not knowing where to weld in the new sections. How does one locate the new parts correctly befpre welding them in place?

Post by **Kevin** » Sun Nov 23, 2008 9:24 am

How does one locate the new parts correctly

Hi and welcome Todd if you fill in your whereabouts in your profile we should be able to point you in the direction of the nearest spares specialist and like Roy I assume you are over the pond as you use the term fender.

Post by **bmcecosse** » Sun Nov 23, 2008 12:00 pm

And if you don't have a manual for the car - I can point you to a download - PM me !

linearaudio · Post by **linearaudio** » Sun Nov 23, 2008 12:25 pm

Welcome on board. I hope you find, as I did, that the previous owner had glassed over the floor to protect the lovely clean metal underneath from the inevitable leaks. That was a real heart lightener!! However by the sounds of the rest of your wagon....Good luck!

Post by **grumpygrandad** » Sun Nov 23, 2008 12:36 pm

when you acheive something on a morris it allway makes you smile ,,,grandad

Post by **tfee** » Sun Nov 23, 2008 5:29 pm

Post by **tfee** » Sun Nov 23, 2008 5:30 pm

Yes, it's true, I'm across the pond located just outside of Detroit where I am preparing to sell my house for 1/4 of what I paid for it when our car industry collapses. Can you all do us a small favor over there and buy a Ford? I can forgive you if you avoid GM products. I'll do what I can over here to keep the British auto heritage alive by spending thousands on new and reconditioned Morris parts. I also have a Ford model T with a Jaguar 4.2 engine.

Post by **MGFmad** » Sun Nov 23, 2008 7:26 pm

tfee wrote:Thanks guys, bring on the silly grin! This car is seriosly rotted out, the head lights pretty much fell out f the fender and the bumper fell off too once the grille bolts were loosened. My biggest fear is not knowing where to weld in the new sections. How does one locate the new parts correctly befpre welding them in place?

Work on one side at a time so you can use the other for reference. Also take plenty of photos and measurements before hand so you can locate your new panels in the right place.

Sometimes you might need to temporarily fit say 2 panels to get the first one in the right position - just clamp it all up with vice grips then get it tack welded in place.

linearaudio · Post by **linearaudio** » Sun Nov 23, 2008 7:58 pm

And whatever you do DON'T do more than tack anything til you're totally sure all the bits line up right. Having just the same grief with the remains of my MGB at the mo. I like your idea of transatlantic co-operation, unfortunately can't fit any more Fords on the driveway! Keep buying the Moggy spares though!

Post by **d_harris** » Sun Nov 23, 2008 10:19 pm

I couldn't afford a new ford even if I wanted one.

Besides, my blue oval was built in Dagenham! and My brothers here in Southampton!

Post by **tfee** » Tue Nov 25, 2008 6:25 pm

I have got some of the car apart now and you can see the rusty bits. The front drivers side fender was removed with a gentle tug. <br>

<br>

linearaudio · Post by **linearaudio** » Tue Nov 25, 2008 7:45 pm

Might not be too bad when you get that rusty wing out of the way!! I always think the job looks more promising once you've cut the rust out and you know what you're working with,assuming the rot stops somewhere! Any pictures of the wood? Good luck!