Morris Minor Van - advice required.

Post by **idrussell** » Tue Oct 13, 2009 11:31 am

Hi
First time post. I have a 1970 Morris Minor van (badged as an Austin) which I have owned for just over 20 years. The van was my first car and was in good condition BUT it has not been used for approx 15 years... During that time it has been stored in a garage. It certainly requires new front wings, rear wheel arches, areas patching around the rear lights and no doubt some work underneath. On top of that the engine has not run for over 10 years and is set up for 4 star.
Ideally I would like to restore the car and use it occasionally but to be honest I do not have the time to do the work myself and at present I would probably not get the chance to use it.
Can anyone suggest what it may be worth and is anyone interested in taking it on as a restoration? I do not really want to let the van go as it has sentimental value but it seems crazy to let it rot away. The van is in Durham City
Any advice / comments appreciated.

Regards

Ivan Russell

Post by **bmcecosse** » Tue Oct 13, 2009 11:40 am

Welcome to the Forum. I'm sure someone will be interested!

Post by **FrankM83** » Tue Oct 13, 2009 11:56 am

vans are very rare especially austin badged versions, I would keep it! and restore it

Post by **ASL642** » Tue Oct 13, 2009 12:56 pm

Take some pictures and post them here so we can have a look and offer our suggestions.

Post by **leyther8008** » Tue Oct 13, 2009 6:07 pm

Invariably they are worse than you think, check the full chassis from front to back they can rot anywhere and it might not be economic to repair then the cab itself rots check the cill members especially at the back where the seat belts fix, take off the cover plates and check the diapragms.
But saving the best untill last check the gutters around the van box inside and outside for rot a tricky repair that I'm still plucking up courage to do.
But saying that they are great fun to drive and outstanding little vans.
I bought mine as a 'good' condition van and spent three months getting it to where I felt safe driving it.

Post by **alzax3** » Tue Oct 13, 2009 7:55 pm

The Mrs loves her van, I think it's the car she's enjoyed most! There was a similar (though Morris badged) van on Ebay this morning, a runner that had spent many years as a 'static advertising sculpture' outside a Welsh butchers - no MOT or tax and lots of welding needed, especially round the gutters - the seller was asking £650 for it. Just checked, it's already been sold, so yours should be worth at least that....

Post by **Dean** » Tue Oct 13, 2009 9:33 pm

I think you are lucky Ivan, vans seem to be the thing to restore at the moment. If you sold it to a club member to restore, it would be easy to track down again if you wanted to find it.

Shame you don't have the time to do it yourself, I'm enjoying restoring my moggy after having no previous interest in them. Mine has 24 years of sentimental value under my skin!!!!

Post by **idrussell** » Wed Oct 14, 2009 9:30 am

Gents

Thanks for all the replies. I will try and get some pictures taken. The gutters do not seem too bad. While I would love to keep it and restore it in reality it just won't happen. I have a Porsche in the garage which is in mint condition and that hardly gets used - so the van in its current condition stands even less chance especially as I have done nothing with it for so many years (wife, kids etc).. I will have a good think about what to do - can any of you recommend any good, reasonably priced restoration places? I could do the mechanicals and sort the paint myself but not the chassis / body work. Alternatively if I decide to sell is the best place the for sale site on this site?

Many Thanks

Ivan Russell

Post by **ASL642** » Wed Oct 14, 2009 3:09 pm

Nearest I can think of is Vermont Classics in Leeds, who advertise in our magazine. Not local to me in the Midlands, but someone further north may know of a restorer nearer Their number is 0113 3910597.

Post by **davidmiles** » Wed Oct 14, 2009 4:56 pm

Ivan, have you thought of listing it on e bay? they go for astonshing amounts of money. If you do go that route, be as honest as you can, take general views and some detail shots underneath, inside,outside ect the more pictures the more chance of getting people interested.

Post by **rich-legg** » Wed Oct 14, 2009 5:07 pm

I could restore it for you... not local but I can collect & deliver.

If I had the money, I'd buy it, restore it, & keep it!

What Porsche have you got? Aircooled or watercooled?

Rich

Post by **aupickup** » Wed Oct 14, 2009 6:34 pm

i know a place in estbourne, they did my car

but its in sussex which is quite a way away from you

Post by **RussLCV** » Wed Oct 14, 2009 8:34 pm

Please e-mail me some details to the register we may be able to get a local member to advise or have a look

Russ@MinorLCVreg.co.uk

Post by **idrussell** » Thu Oct 15, 2009 7:49 am

Russ

I have posted you more details of the Van.

Rich

If your really interested in restoring the van drop me a line..

The Porsche is 944 S2 (1990 60k miles which I have owned 12 years) so water cooled but still from an era when they made 'proper cars'

Sadly I hardly drive that and do most of my driving in a 2005 Honda Accord Tourer 2.4 Type S which while nice is hardly exciting..
People are still amazed when I tell them that the favourite car I have owned is the Van - the fun of driving it and the noise on overrun were fantastic - oh dear i'm talking myself into keeping it

Regards

Ivan

Post by **LouiseM** » Thu Oct 15, 2009 7:55 am

There is a simple solution. Sell the Porsche and use the proceeds to have the van restored. That way you get to keep your favourite vehicle

Post by **Jefftav** » Thu Oct 15, 2009 9:22 am

What about contacting Tom Roy near Stokesley? He may be able to offer help with the restoration of your van. I agree with LouiseM sell the porsche to restore the minor van.

http://www.tomroy.co.uk/

Post by **ASL642** » Thu Oct 15, 2009 12:53 pm

I thought of Tom Roy, but they don't do restorations - only supply parts.

Post by **Jefftav** » Fri Oct 16, 2009 7:29 am

Not sure - I only buy parts there but he always seems to have cars around being worked on - maybe just routine servicing?? Although on there web site they say they "restore".

Post by **LouiseM** » Fri Oct 16, 2009 7:44 am

I picked up a copy of their parts list at the National and it states "We also buy, sell, exchange, repair, restore & service Minors"

Post by **RussLCV** » Fri Oct 16, 2009 11:35 am

Ivan

many thanks for the e-mail I will send an e-mail later

Russ