Cars and what they say about us?

[MMaurice52]

I have always liked Morris Minors. Rather, since I've been aware of cars..... I remember when my older brother brought home a Series II convertible. I wanted one just like it. He bought an Austin Healey Sprite and sold the Ser II to me. Actuallly he gave it to me because it needed an engine! I had an engine from a wrecked 59 Bugeyed (Frogeyed) that I had removed after being in the wreck! (a story for another time)The AH engine was "tweaked", shaved Cyl. head, cam, larger carbs yada yada yada.. The Minor ran great! Such a fun car but only during summer in New England. It was certainly NOT a winter car! Long story short: the car did NOT survive a Massachusetts pothole!! Massachusetts is famous for swallowing small cars whole into a pothole! I was driving my MM recently and hit one and nearly pulled my sphincter at the sound of hitting one! The Sre II never made it more than a few inches from the pothole! The trunnion and lower arm were ripped out of the frame! I do wish I had repaired it but it ended up in a scrapyard! Mea culpa, mea culpa.........

Many years later my brother bought HJB800. Sadly he only had the 1952 MM for two short years before he passed away. He had a number of interesting cars and I inherited the MM. The other cars went to younger or older brothers. I remember driving the MM back to Massachusetts from Wisconsin in 1984 and thinking of how much Guy had loved the car. Perhaps it's only sentiment but I could "feel" Guy with me as I drove. I still believe that Guy's spirit is with me whenever I drive the car.

As an example of how Guy loved his little car I present this: When our oldest sister flew out to Wisconsin to visit him, Guy insisted that she drive the car from the airport. Claudette had never driven a "stick shift" car. He insisted that she learn. He was a great stick shift teacher! He taught my girlfriend / present wife how to drive stick in about one hour after I had tried for almost a week! Claudette did well and drove the 30 miles from the aiport to Guy's home! BTW: Claudette was/is a Catholic nun and seldom drove though she did have a license!

There are so many more stories about this one car that has brought so much joy and some sadness to a number of people. I hope I haven't bored the Members.

Happy Motoring!

[Fingolfin]

Not at all boring, Maurice, not at all...and a good cautionary tale for other Minor owners on potholey roads. Such as myself.

I'm an Anglophile from way back, and I guess you can tell that from my love of Morrises and Minis. But three years ago, before we came across Mog, I had never heard of Morris or the Minor. Dad had, but he didn't know what it was until he pulled into the last owner's driveway and asked. My parents figured I'd fall in love with it, and they were right. Before Mog I really had no inclination to drive, but now I love to drive.

I think these cars exemplify "Britishness"...they're small and sober and adorably awesome, and they stand the test of time, except for the electrics. And, of course, Mog is perfect for me: wonderful gas mileage, not a lot of horses, and abnormally loud horns.

[stephenpolhill]

What a lovely story! Have you any pictures of the car?
It has made me think twice about driving over a pothole, the car handles well when swerving to miss them anyway .
Not at all boring.. Thanks

[MMaurice52]

What a lovely story! Have you any pictures of the car?

Stephen,

Thanks, pics are here: http://www.mmoc.org.uk/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=31850

Marc