Introducing myself...

[robedney]

Hi All,

Just found a 1967 2 door a couple of weeks ago. I'm a yank in California, working in Berkeley and living on a big steel boat berthed on Point San Pablo Bay (around the corner from San Francisco Bay). I'm gradually finishing off the boat and the last thing I needed was another project. However, I do graphic design and marketing for a real estate company (estate-agents to most of you) and -- while photographing a house the other day -- noticed something small and enticing with a tarp over it in the driveway. To make a long story short, I ended up with the car for free -- the sellers were moving to New York and had forgotten to list it for sale anywhere, the house sold quickly and the car had not been run for ten years. They were desperate and there I was! It took the better part of an afternoon to get her running, make sure the brakes worked, check the lights, etc. Run she did, however, and I drove the trek out to the harbor with nary an incident. She's a California car through and through, meaning she's never seen road salt and has virtually no body rust. Her body is almost entirely blemish free (aside from the paint) and her compression is 180-185 all the way across. She needs paint and most of an interior, but I can work that in over time.

I've had to pull her gas tank, epoxy/glass the bottom and clean out the innards. Also had to find a wiper motor for her (missing), but scored a non-op unit on EBay cheap that only needed the old thoroughly stiffened grease renewed. She's very nearly roadworthy, and this weekend ought to do the trick. She'll be a daily driver once ready. I do a commute of about 15 miles each way, and the other car (bought for the boat project) is a 1966 Dodge 3/4 ton pickup that guzzles gas like cheap wine. Both the Morris and the Dodge are exempt from annual smog inspections and we have nothing like MOT in California (which is probably unfortunate).

Back when I managed a theatre for an acting company in San Francisco (American Conservatory Theatre) I would spend our off-season months working at a friend's garage. He was a British car nut and we serviced a few on a regular basis. I've owned -- long ago -- a TR3 and more recently a Jensen Healey (which I'm glad to say is now someone else's project). Mildred (moggie's new name) has gotten thoroughly under my skin and I'm having a great time messing with her. She's fun to drive, even more fun to look at and sips gas in a thrifty and dainty manner. I'll be joining the club after the holidays when I can afford it! I've already learned lots here, and hope to contribute as well!

For what it's worth, my dad's family was from London and I grew up with a pack of grandparents, aunt's and uncle's with funny accents like a lot of you all have. My grandparents had a travelling comedy troupe in South Africa back in the day, but my grandmother insisted on returning to London for the birth of my dad (he was the youngest of five). My grandfather was brought to America to work in silent pictures and the whole family came along. My grandmother died at 98 years old never having become an American citizen because -- as she would say with great passion -- she would never desert her Queen.

[bmcecosse]

Welcome to the Forum. Well done saving that car - great story too! You are obviously very competent mechanically - enjoy the car, but probably best to renew most of the braking system in view of the steep hills I remember in San Fran! Let's see some pictures of the car coming down Lombard Street!

[Dean]

What a great story, welcome and please........ lets see some pictures!

[beero]

Welcome to the Forum. Mildred sounds like a brilliant find. Love to see some pics.

"I grew up with a pack of grandparents, aunt's and uncle's with funny accents like a lot of you all have."

Sorry but it's you that has the funny accent!