Where is PMM904? An Alta OHV Converted 1951 Morris MM Tourer

[Tim Moore]

This is for Mike and Graham Holt.

In connection with the "For Sale" Section having just successfully sold after 35 years of ownership our 4 door Series II Morris Minor 907 JGU to a fellow enthusiast and fantastic chap in Holland to where the car has now been driven, see the "For Sale " section under Series II Isle of Skye" in teh curent MMOC website> I have posted a comment on a Series II Convertible also for sale about my former Minor Tourer 1951 vintage PMM 904, which was fortunate to own between 1968 and 1971. The question raised about whether this car still exists or not? Grhaom Holt might apparently know of the engine whereabouts but the last information on teh car from teh MMOC records is 1982. I last saw the car re-painted maroon, origally in my ownership and from new she was blue, n the mid 1970's

I have searched high and low for any paperwork I have still kept on this car and find that I wrote an article on her published in "Minor Matters" March April 1998. Called "Reflections on a much missed Alta OHV Mnor 1951 Tourer" (Page 16 and 17 of that issue to be exact). If you look back in the MMOC archives you will fnd this article.

Try as I might I cannot, now some 40 years since I sold the car locate the chassis number of this car evidently last known of by the MMOC in 1982. I sold her through Motor Sport Magazine" on 14 September 1971 to a Mr G. B Meese, from Bebington in Cheshire for £80.00! (Eighty pounds) A princely sum.... What would she be worth today?

I do still have though a few original papers on the Alta OHV conversion, some article on Geofrey taylor the Alta owner (by John Bolster and the actual original instructions on how to fit the Alta head etc as well as the cost of parts in 1968 via Derrington who then had purchased the factory parts from Alta.... Happy days. Wonderful memories.

Tim Moore.
MMOC Membership 118

[mike.perry]

1982 was the last year it was taxed, it then disappeared off the DVLA records. Maybe it stored away somewhere awaiting restoration

[MGs]

Do you have a link as to where these details can be found on the DVLA website as there a couple of my previous cars I would like to trace (at least know if they are still about)?

Thanks

[chrisd87]

Just follow this link and click on 'vehicle enquiry' in the menu on the left-hand side.

[MGs]

Thanks

[nordog]

I could well be too late on this post but I use to own a Morris Minor series MM 1952 model REG DFB600 (Davies Funder Bolt)with the old 918cc sidevalve engine but was converted to overhead valves with the Derrington Alta head of aluminium, with four branch exhaust and a homemade two branch inlet, not sure of the date for the conversion but that owner took this car all over Europe. It had an export heater fitted and the old none radial tyres that were useless but as a tyre fitter at that time I fitted two Michelin X radials on the rear axle from a Traveler that had wire showing, but what a difference the road holding was, I did replace the used rear tyres with new RQ Michelin X tyres not she could motor 90mph with the sure footed road holding that was as good as my Mexico ten years later.
To cut a long story short, I replaced the trafficators with the Wipac flashing amber lights then I had to fix the wipers, very simply turning the driver's cog from the worn to the unworn section but the wiper blades worked better from the side to side motion instead of center to side motion plus I fitted direct washer system onto the wiper blade with clear plastic tubing from a Lucas pump.
As for the engine, the Alta head had two springs per valve stem and I use to decoke the head & valves around every 9 months or so, the pistons did hit the gasket so instead of the three layers I removed one layer and got higher compression. I did notice that the head bolts could be seen from the exhaust ports as I smoothed out the ports, removing one half of the fan blades helped boost the power in the winter months I removed both blades and then replaced the metal fan completely with the Kenlow electric fan. Top speed was in excess of 110mph and Jag drivers kept looking in their rearview mirror until I passed them (joking about passing them not enough safe road) as the needle of the speedo touched the zero stop peg the engine noise was very smooth & quiet. I sure made the mistake of getting the new Ford Escort 1100 F reg and not looking after that Moggy!