A Tour Of The Dordogne France By Traveller.

[Morris Mike]

This area of South West France is so magical, every turn in the road brings fantastic scenery into view.
From river valley roads, hilly hairpin bends, deserted country lanes too fast sweeping main roads, it is a delight to drive around this vast region.

If you are looking for a good region to visit with a vast amount of sites and scenery to explore you cannot beat this part of France.

If camping is you scene there are fantastic river side sites to be found.

Or stay in a lovely period Perigord house or cottage for your stay,so typical of the area..

We love going out and about exploring the region driving a classic car when over here.

M.M


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[Morris Mike]

Even the local Moggies liked our car.!!!

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[Morris Mike]

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[morrisminorbzh]

Yes it's a lovely region and love that limestone country side. Like here in Brittany after a false start September has been beautiful month (but thunder is not far away).

Have you met members of the "Aimicalemorrisminorfrance" ? there are lots of members in la Dordogne

If you are returning via Rennes don't hesitate to drop in (we have real English Tea!!) - I no longer have a Minor but always love to see one.

Have a good holiday.

[JOWETTJAVELIN]

Stunning scenery and superb driving roads. An interesting rear valence conversion also - what car are the rear lamp units from?

[Morris Mike]

The Traveller was fully restored by my father in 1985.

At the time I was in the custom scene and persuaded him to modify the car a little.

It was completely stripped and shot blasted.
A Midget 1275 engine and gearbox fitted.
A Midget rear diff.
The front brakes are Wolseley 1500 fitted with a servo.
Suspension upgraded all round.
The front and rear was de-bumpered.
Better seats fitted to the interior.
Custom made interior.
The rear valence was fitted with Ford Escort MK1 rear lights.
Frenched in aerial.
Remote brake fluid .

At the time (28 years ago) these are the sort of modifications that were being carried out.
I purchased the car from the family about 6 years ago after my father had passed away. It was not being used much at the time.

I fitted the Minilite wheels and lowered it a small amount. It corners and handles very well, it can give some small sport cars a run for their money.
I have reinstated the front valence and chrome bumper.
The rear will be returned to its original factory design this winter.
I think it will look better with the bumpers re-fitted after all these years, as fashions change.

M.M.

[woodiesenfrance]

Next time try the Lot valley, not so busy!

[brucek]

Bonjour Mary hope all well with you and Chris?

Agree that the Lot Valley is an excellent place to visit. Hopefully we'll be back down that way again soon.

Bruce

[woodiesenfrance]

Better now, I broke my right arm on 1st June so not the best of summers!

[brucek]

Oh dear don't do that !!

Hope you are well on the mend now? Here's wishing you a speedy recovery

[Morris Mike]

We have a property nr Montignac in the beautiful Vezere valley with all the troglodyte caves, chateau`s river gorge`s etc..

The Morris Traveller and MGA Roadster is ideal on the roads round here. Yet to see another Traveller. The French think I have put the timber on the back of an ordinay car until I tell them they were built like this from the factory.

We take any visitors or friends out to places like Sarlat, Domme, Beynac, Castelnaud etc along the Dordogne valley, which they want to see, but it only gets a little busy in August.
In May, June and Sept you wonder where everyone is sometimes.

Sunday is a great day to visit Domme in your classic car, park up in the main square and do a little posing.!!!
Sometimes other car clubs role into the place en route to other beauty spots.

But I much prefer the Vezere valley which is were we are with places like St Leon Vezere, Le Eyzies, Le Bugue etc.
Fantastic to canoe down river with a picnic.

So much more natural and interesting than the Dordogne valley region which so many people visit.

It is not really crowded here at all. I very rarely go to Perigueux which is the capital of the Perigord region, that is the only place you see the odd traffic hold up at the traffic lights etc, and that is normally at 6.00pm when everyone is leaving work..

We drove up to Angouleme for the "Circuit de Remparts" last Sunday and hardly saw another car on the road between 10.00am-11.30am.

We know many fellow French owners of vintage and classic cars and join in some of the club events round here. They do prefer to eat than drive though.!!!

We have been to the Lot region many times. Where are you situated.?

M.M

[Morris Mike]

I know it is not a Morris but picked this up last week from a nearby village. Been barn stored since 1973.

It lived with this Traction Avant. Which they might sell to me also. you know how the French like to keep hold of things.!!!

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[JOWETTJAVELIN]

Mike - it would be a shame to remove that rear valance. Such an unusual conversion which has survived for so long.

[Morris Mike]

Are you sure.?

We just thought the car would look better returned to its original looks at the rear i.e small valance, lights set in the timberwork and chrome bumper blades.

It would save me a lot of messing about and some money to leave it alone.

M.M

[JOWETTJAVELIN]

Yes, I would personally keep it as it is. It's a good example of the modifications being done around 30 years ago, as you say, and it has been executed very well. Everything is perfectly balanced.

Just my thoughts, but you don't often see such an original conversion.