Buying a traveller

Post by **andygill** » Tue Jun 30, 2009 8:16 pm

Hi

I'm considering buying a traveller, and would really apreciate some advice.

Firstly where do I start to look for one.
I would really like on in very good condition (i.e. no major jobs needed), how much should I be looking to pay.

If like me you know very little about cars would you take a mechanic with you to view any potential car ?

Thanks very much for your help.

Andy

Post by **PSL184** » Tue Jun 30, 2009 8:20 pm

You can find them advertised in local papers for a few hundred pounds upto the major websites for £6000 + If you don't know what you are looking at definately take an expert with you as there are many pitfalls to the unwary. Put up your location and I'm sure someone local to you would be willing to view any cars with you....

Post by **alzax3** » Tue Jun 30, 2009 8:21 pm

You might like to find a Traveller expert rather than a mechanic - unless they know their way around a 40 year old wood framed car with it's own little idiosyncrasies they're not going to be very much help! Looking at what was available for sale at the National, you could easily be paying £3,000 for a smart example that still has some suspect timber........If it's darker than the surrounding wood, it may well be very squishy underneath, and definitely not structural!

I see PSL184 beat me to an answer while I was writing this!

Post by **aupickup** » Tue Jun 30, 2009 8:21 pm

take some one that knows morris minors

and i would think a good one would set you back about 3K to 4K

Post by **d_harris** » Tue Jun 30, 2009 8:25 pm

Hi Andy - welcome to the forum! Might be worth filling your location in

Best place to start to look? On here, ebay, local classified ads, car shows, auto trader etc etc.

As with any minor you really really need to check for rot in terms of steelwork you need to be looking at the sills either side of the car, rear spring hangars and crossmember ends. The wood is structural (its the only thing that holds the roof on!) so make sure that it is good and sound, if it goes, it tends to start around the joins. Try knocking it with your knuckles - if it makes a hollow thud then its rotten.

In terms of price, its a buyers market at the moment and it depends how decent a car you are looking for.
For a good condition car you'd need to budget between 1,500 and 5k for a show winner you'd be looking at £8k+

it seems EVERYONE beat me to it

Post by **andygill** » Tue Jun 30, 2009 9:07 pm

Thanks everyone for your really fast replies.

I'll update my location etc. I live in Warrington in the North West.

To summaries for about £3000 would I expect to get a good standard that doesn't need any major works (wood, welding body work etc)

Cheers
Andy

Post by **ASL642** » Tue Jun 30, 2009 9:19 pm

Try to buy a car with a current MOT. This will give you some time before anything major needs doing. You can then enjoy the car and understand how it handles. Read everything you can on them before you buy. A Traveller is a great car but if you haven't got a garage they can leak. You can get some fantastic covers for them , but remember to factor in this cost. Make sure the wood is in good condition, replacing it is difficult and costly. I would hate you to rush in to a purchase without working out which model would be best for you/your needs. Happy hunting!

Post by **andygill** » Wed Jul 08, 2009 2:08 pm

Has anyone viewed this one on ebay

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll? ... 0422271301

Any opinions welcome.

Thanks once again.

Andy

Post by **8009STEVE** » Wed Jul 08, 2009 3:37 pm

Floor pan looks good. Sounds like a goodun, but you are buying a photo. Best to go look first.

Post by **bmcecosse** » Wed Jul 08, 2009 4:30 pm

ONLY buy a car with a very recent new MOT! As others have said - it's very definitely a buyers market at the moment - so don't rush in without getting some one who KNOWS these vehicles to look at it with you!
That one on ebay looks very nice - it hasn't been messed about - but I would suggest you view it personally -WITH a knowledgeable Traveller owner - before bidding.

Post by **andygill** » Wed Sep 02, 2009 2:27 pm

Can anyone advise me on this ?

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/1962-MORRIS-MINOR ... 286.c0.m14

What would a reasonable price be ? and for that price would you expect to have to do any major work on it.

What publications are the best to look at containing Travellers fopr sale

Thanks
Andy

Post by **ASL642** » Wed Sep 02, 2009 3:39 pm

One book "Morris Minor Essential Buyer's Guide" £9.99 by Ray Newell would be very helpful - it lists all the places you need to check before buying a Morris.
Click on Regalia and have a look

Wed Sep 02, 2009 6:21 pm

the car looks nice but the engine bay is black where as the rest of the car you see is white, which makes me think that it has been quickly resprayed to make it look nice before selling it! there are no photos of the underside so you can not tell the condition of the chasis.

the wood is also dark so you can not see from the photo any rot..

it might be a good car but it does show how difficult it is to tell from a photo you do really need to go and see the car and have a prod and a poke.

Post by **PSL184** » Wed Sep 02, 2009 6:24 pm

Looks nice but never ever ever buy a car from just photos - Do as stated and view any car yourself and prefereably with an expert on the marque...