Newbies & off to Rome

[Sidedriver]

Hi all, we are proud new owners of our 1967 Morris Minor and also new to this site I hope I have correctly added a photo of the car to introduce ourselves
My husband has had several Morris 1000's many years ago but this is my first & I love it already!
Basically we purchased it because we've signed up to take part in this years Charity 'Rally' Challenge driving from St.Austell (Cornwall) to Rome... We leave in 3 weeks but are in need of a few bits & pieces to tidy her up and ensure she is prepared for the 3000 mile round trip.
A few bits we're looking for to start off with are, 2xgreen vinyl/leather door pulls, interior light, interior rear view mirror and glove box cards for both sides? (Can you tell it's the wife posting this.. All cosmetic bits so far!) Had a quick ebay search but wondered if anyone has any of these for sale?
Also wondered if anyone else on here is taking part in the Rome or Bust trip in a Moggy? Thanks.[frame][/frame]

[rogerowen]

Hi, Welcome and good luck with the trip! You should be able to get most of what you need from various specialist Moggie bits suppliers. www.bullmotif.co.uk is where I get lots of bits from. Looks like you need a front valance as well! Nice car - enjoy!

[MarkyB]

http://www.bangerrallychallenge.co.uk/

Should be fun
Use the car as much as possible before you go so you get to know any foibles

It might be an idea to approach Minor parts specialists for sponsorship. Moss (Europe) could be a very good bet.

[rogerowen]

Good point about using the car as much as possible before the 'off'. Think I'd be tempted to put a few spares in the boot and a basic tool kit too. I did a France/ Spain road trip in a Moggie and it did really well but did need a thermostat and an exhaust braket. Picked those up easily enough - but then that was in 1971! Apart from the obvious fan belt etc, I think I'd chuck a couple of front brake cylinders in for good measure (lockheed ones of course). Have a great trip and post up some piccies of the trip

[bmcecosse]

Blimey - that's the most random 'spares item I've ever seen suggested - even I don't carry them!

[MarkyB]

It's certainly worth taking the drums off and making sure there are no leaks or other problems.
I wouldn't take spare cylinders either.
Get it put up on a ramp and have a good look around underneath and grease all the grease nipples and the clutch linkage.

[rogerowen]

Blimey - that's the most random 'spares item I've ever seen suggested - even I don't carry them!

Photo of the front wheel cylinders I have replaced on Marmaduke over a 12 month peroid. All pattern type about 2 years old - except for the 5th and 6th ones which only lasted 3 months before leaking. Now have Lockheed wheel cylinder fitted - well worth the extra few quid - no problems since. Not sure that you can tell if Lockheed cylinders are fitted by external examination. If I was going on a fairly long overseas trip (where Moggie spares might not be so readily available), I'd still be tempted to chuck a couple in the boot. [frame][/frame]

[Sidedriver]

Thank you for your replys and advice. We're currently going completely through the braking system with new drums & shoes etc. Also have the diff out as it had a small leak to repair, it looks in good condition but is quite whiney so hoping forte treatment will help?

Will definitely be taking a range of spares such as fan belt, radiator hoses, points, condenser, distributor cap, spare wheels etc & a good tool kit.

We were a little confused by the bumpers tbh.. Are these the correct ones for the car? They are like a sprung bumper so we weren't sure if they were designed to have the valance fitted? The rear is the same as the front.

Have emailed a few morris parts companies for sponsorship, thanks for the tip!

[Matt]

The bumpers are just missing the valence

[Sidedriver]

Thank you very much to ESM Morris Minor Spares for sponsoring us on our trip to Rome, very much appreciated.

Will update this page when we return with any Minor issues!

If anyone is feeling like making a small donation to our charity run details can be found here:
http://www.justgiving.com/TeamMoggyMinorChapman

Or on the main site www.bangerrallychallenge.co.uk

Thank you.