"OAS 386" rescue of '61 4 Door Saloon

[minormadman]

Hello Ladies and Gentlemen.

My name is Cliff and I am a very new member.

I am at the very start of my "rescue" retirement project.
"Phoenix" a real one from the ashes. or EM-2 (try and work that one out)

My intention is to post some pics ,as I progress, through what I am hoping will be an enjoyable 2 years. This project will also ,most probably, be a great voyage of self discovery during this period.

I intend to do as much work as I can myself,even though I am not as mobile as I used to be, additionally I want to do it as safely and as cost effectivly as I can.
The car will be produced as a daily user-in retirement-also for high days and holidays, as we have other Modern family transportation.

Originally the car did not have a 1098 engine obviously, but now has one mated to a ribbed gearbox.The diff is original but I have already obtained a 4.22.1 version for when I have finished all the bodywork.

I am still working out the rest of the changes I want to do, I shall be a long time doing the bodywork.
I do not want to ammend any of the original bodywork lines /panels, so in future if anyone wants to convert it all back to total standard when I am long gone ,they can do.

Front brake discs ,dampers, lighting and interior is all on the cards to change ,so wish me luck and advice as applicable.

Without wishing prempt any comments,or make any assumptions-I am married to a Lady from Liverpool ,so any non helpful comments will be passed on, to ask the "Boys to call round -suitably tooled up".

I shall get some proper pics organised soon, to start my before and after file going.

Thanks everyone in anticipation.

[RobMoore]

Welcome Cliff lets have some pics of as is now, we like picks here.

[minormadman]

Thanks Rob for that lovely welcome,am not the quickiest with technology-or anything else come to that, (except what the "Scouser" tells me about) but I shall try my best to get something-in focus- on here this weekend.

[RobMoore]

oOooooooooo the dreaded scouser, I know what you mean I had one also but got rid of her many years ago.

[minormadman]

As promised a few pics showing "areas of promise on the car that may allow enhancement of skills"

[minormadman]

Also showing more "Flinstone designer opportunities" on the other side of the cars floor.

I don't want to show too many pics of the work required-want to get on and do it really- but will be keeping a project log ('cause thats what I am like) .

I have got lots of quality friends on two other Minor Forums and sites, who have given invaluable help and advice already, including Jonathon, so I will be relying on them all for much of the same. Just thought I would register my Project on here.
As now a member I can try and take full advantage of all that is on offer, and maybe make a decent contribution in time and effort- by preserving one of the worlds best Marques- and imho "the" best shape ever ,to move on four wheels.

The previous owner-a terrific chap- said that if it wasn't rescued ,it would have gone for scrap, so I am going to give it my best shot ,to rescue it, as my retirement project. And if I am allowed to say it on here-God willing , it will last another 50 years (50th Birthday party on 9th Feb next year)
What do people on here know about the 17th of April event next year run by or overseen by the Historical Vehicle experts ?

[minormadman]

Final picture of my before and after- an external view, which hopefully will be quite different to ones to be taken on the 50th birthday Anniversary.

[Fingolfin]

Cute little saloon, reminds me of mine. I'd take a look at those boxing plates, though...they should have two rectangular holes on each end (one of which is visible) and then five (?) circular holes between, like this:
____ ____
|___| O O O O O |___|

Your circular holes look like they've been patched. Nothing serious, except it could trap more moisture -- and hide more serious damage in the middle of the sill, over the crossmember.

You could do an online project log, like some of us on here do -- me, David Miles, and the effervescent Eveline, for instances -- which we'd all enjoy very much. That also allows us to check your progress and make sure everything's going right, which, trust me, is an invaluable resource.

[minormadman]

Thanks for the comments Fingolfin, and the creative typing (good picture attempt at the 1554 by the way.)
Been following your project with interest,and David Miles of course previously, truly marvellous for everyone to see.
And it's also good to follow one so dedicated, "over the Pond" ,of a certain age group, to have such a great little project car.Good Luck to you.
We bought our Son an MGBGT for his 21st Birthday,although he'd had other cars since early teens-that one meant a lot to him.He has learned a lot fixing it up and running it for the past 8 years. He has learned such a lot , not only about the car, but about himself.
Such I suppose is the case with you, your project and your Dad, it gives those "special" times together,ones which we all cherish.
I am only doing a courtesy post on here, I suppose you could call it. I am posting my full recordings on the morriesowners.co.uk site.
There is such a lot of expertise around ,that wherever you go we really are blessed by how people give of thier free time-it's a great shame about the Politics and egos that intervene occasionally.
My project should take me until April 2012, when I am hoping to have "her" back on the road fully finished.I may be able to get her through her MOT, next year sometime however, and run her as a mobile resto-but we shall see.
I certainly have a good winter "entertainment" planned indoors-to keep me off the streets. I am slowly stripping her to examine my chances of "increasing my bodywork skill opportunities"
I cannot uplaod any pics at present,got a prob with my camera-but nice to follow all yours.

[MarkyB]

I think you mean;
http://www.morrisowners.co.uk
New one on me but looks interesting.

[minormadman]

Yep MarkyB,thats the one.

Thanks for the correction,all help received etc.

Found the site before I became an MMOC member. Really enjoying the visits to it, great help, lots of quality charachters and no Cr-p politics or power crazed ott individuals- which surely have no business in and around this terrific hobby.

I am new to 'puters,internet and forums-so learning as I go along (it is defo an age thingy),and have initially struggled with this Site, in many ways it's quite different to other sites and forums.

I must say that I am very suprised at the bad practices that some forums promote-there's no way they would be tolerated in some businesses.

As I will be visiting this Site during my "rescue" efforts,I only thought it right that I should post up and list the Project,to see if anyone would be interested in my efforts, or they would be of use to any like minded person.

Thanks again.

[minormadman]

Was going to request the Mods remove my Project posts on here ,as I am supporting two other Morris Sites with details, and requesting help from them.

It just seems to take forever to type and produce pics, and thought this would be one less place to catch up on-but looking through other project posts some take a long time between posts anyway so I'll just post progress reports as and when when I can.

ttfn