Doris, The 1956 Series II. Restoration for beginners.

[Tea & Toast]

Hello there.

I've finally bought my first Minor! A 1956 Series II and I'd like to get her back to her former glory. How possible this is for an
absolute beginner is up for debate but I can't wait to get stuck in. I want to use this thread to show progress and to hopefully
get some advice and some questions answered (If that's OK? )

Dorris was bought from Rich in Wiltshire who advertised her on this forum. She made it back to Cardiff in one piece and it was a pretty smooth ride.

She is going for a service with a Minor specialist soon just to make sure everything is as it should be. She has a 1098 engine but I have the original engine and gearbox too.

First things to do.

Replace seals

The seals around the windows have perished and the chrome is coming away from the glass

Indicators

Dorris has semaphores but they and my hand signals have been ignored by most people so I think indicators are a must. I don't really want to drill into her so I think some lights that fit under the bumper might do the trick.

Underseal

The car isn't undersealed and I think this needs to be done sooner, rather than later.

Music

I'm going to get some basic speakers and an amp so I can run an Ipod. I was thinking of maybe mounting some speakers on to some wood
and then slotting that into one of the glove compartments. The speakers will be hidden behind a wooden grill. Basic but will look
quite pretty I think. What do I need to do, convert to negative earth? add an alternator? I have no Idea, these are just terms that I've seen pop up when mentioning sound equipment!!

Things I've noticed so far/Potential problems

The bonnet lid pops up if a road is bumpy. It gets caught by the safety catch but how do I keep the bonnet fully secure ?
There is possibly an oil leak. I'll check in the morning to be sure. Looking under the car, it seems to be coming from the sump seal (I'm told) but I'll try and trace the origin of it tomorrow.
Most worrying of all is I went over a speed bump too quickly and as soon as I did a noticed a rattling sound coming from directly under the gear stick, seemed to go away the faster I went. Car was left for about two hours
In a car park and the sound had gone and didn't return for the 15 minute journey.
That's all I can think of for now but here are the pictures that Rich had used to advertise her. I'll post some detailed images soon.






























Oh and here is a picture of her in my garage. Bit of a tight squeeze at the moment. Her plate is different as Rich wanted the original plate for his own Minor.




Thanks

Mikey!

[kennatt]

first thing to do ,before anything else is to take the sill covers off,and examine the sill inside.The bonnet catch can be adjusted easily to provent it unlocking,if you look at the fixings its obvious. Good luck with it.

[irmscher]

Looks like the basis for a lovely car and a good idea to convert to alternator a very easy job

[MarkyB]

The car isn't undersealed and I think this needs to be done sooner, rather than later.

It has survived very well since 1956 without underseal, Waxoyl might be a better bet, especially inside box sections.

[Tea & Toast]

The car isn't undersealed and I think this needs to be done sooner, rather than later.

It has survived very well since 1956 without underseal, Waxoyl might be a better bet, especially inside box sections.

Do I just apply it to the underside or should I give it a scrub with a wire brush first?


Here are some rubbish pictures of the underneath and the engine bay.... My camera is in work so I had to use my phone.

There is a metal L shaped pipe on the top of the engine. In images of other peoples engines this has a rubber pipe leading to the
carburettor (I Think). Is mine missing the pipe?

[MarkyB]

Whatever finish you decide on it will need a good wire brushing beforehand as a minimum.
Chassis black would be a good option.
Underseal is generally used to cover up bodgery.

[plastic_orange]

Please don't underseal your car - it's a bodge. Do as has been suggested by rubbing down existing paintwork underneath, prime with a good zinc based primer, then reapply paint - black if you like, or get body colour as it is just now. Dinotrol cavity wax is a better solution than waxoil - inject it everywhere. You also must get your bonnet catch fixed as one time when it pops it will fly away like a sail damaging your roof, destroy the bonnet, and may injure another road user.

Pete

[JPX877J]

Mine has a pipe.

(Even if it is a later car.)

[Tea & Toast]

Car now has the pipe Seems to smell less when I'm driving it. I won't be under sealing so don't worry about that. As for

the bonnet, turns out I just wasn't trying hard enough to close it, nice and secure now.

[Tea & Toast]

She's going to be looked over by someone who knows what they are doing next week. Just to point out anything that I should get
done. I'll be much more relaxed about driving her then.

Any recommendations for rear indicators? I'm thinking maybe I should just put some on from a later minor as most of the ones I've seen look a bit tacky and I don't really want to stick any holes in the wings.

[JPX877J]

I'd suggest later rear clusters but it is your opinion

[Tea & Toast]

I think that is my best bet!! Now to find some.

[ASL642]

Try Ebay - they often appear.
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Morris-Minor- ... _25wt_1257

[kevin s]

For the indicators you can alwas fit motorcycle ones hanging down from the bumpers.