Another new member [very]

[skippy45]

Hello everyone and a very merry Christmas. I am a very new member having received my membership to MMOC as a Christmas present from my darling wife. Currently I don't own a Minor but have every intention of buying one when I can find one which suits my needs. I have owned/driven old cars most of my life. Sometimes through economic necessity and some times because I simply preferred them. The list is many and varied and includes some wonderful vehicles like RM Rileys, Rover P4's and even a Jowett Javelin, but never a Morris Minor although I have fond memories of a friends father driving us to many places in Minor 1000. I would like to own and drive my Minor as an everyday car [except for the winter months when I intend to put it away in my garage] I have a strong belief that cars are much more reliable when used regularly. Because I wish to use my Minor as a working car I would appreciate any advice as to what modifications would be most useful. I also have a long standing interest in Historic Rallying and although I don't plan to turn my Minor into a full blown rally car, I wouldn't mind having a go at some of the more gentle touring events so any advice as to what I could do to make it suitable for these would be appreciated as well. Anyway...I've rambled on long enough. Cheers and once again...merry Christmas!

[db6431]

Welcome
I am also a very new member but have yet to join the club, next on my list!
I use my Minor all the time and agree with you that the most reliable cars are the ones that are used all the time. Why put it away for winter? I think you need to go for the later Minors with the 1098 engine as these are suitable for modern road conditions. As to upgrades I have done none and find the dyno, contacts etc perfectly. OK for everyday use, remember these cars were designed to be driven.
Good luck with your search for a suitable car, you do not have to spend excessive amounts, mine was £1300 with a full MOT,
And although a bit tatty round the bottoms of the doors. Looks solid underneath and drives superbly. [frame][/frame]

[samuria]

hello and welcome to the club
you will find the members on here very helpful...

i have used my minors all year round,
and with great fun.
good luck in finding your (new car)...
as you have had several classics before you will
know where to look when you check out suitable
cars...

[graham1957]

hello and welcome to the club, if you are doing daily night time running in lots of slow moving traffic with lights wipers heater all on i would suggest an alternator , as the dynamo will not be able to supply enough current at tick over speed and battery will drain flat!

[dalebrignall]

get the best car you can afford above all the cars structure is the most important thats where you can eat lots of money if you need welding etc .the paint work is not the primery thing to look at underneath is .engines and mechanicals again are usually sound will go on for a long time .take a club member with you when you go to view a car there is loads of help availiable on here .

[kevin s]

Agree with all the above, as for mods, an alternator is almost essential if you fit any accessories or halogen headlamps which are also make a big difference.
5 speed gearboxes are great if you use dual carriageways and disc brakes improve braking and need less maintainance but neither are essential.
The most important thing is regular maintainence and rust proofing.

[orb596]

Welcome to the club. I don't know where you live but I would recommend that you join your local branch. You will find a vast range of knowledge and help available.

[irmscher]

Hi Skippy what cars did you used to rally?

[skippy45]

Hi Skippy what cars did you used to rally?

Most of my rallying was done in the left hand side of the car as a navigator/co-driver[and in Historics] but like all co-drivers I always fancied a go in the drivers seat. In this country it has been in Mk1 Ford Escorts but in the past in my home country mainly old Peugeots, 404's, 403's and even a 1956 model 203. Probably all good training for driving a Morris minor I guess.
Thanks to all the helpful replies. If there's one thing my rallying days taught me, it was the importance of reliability. You can't win if you don't finish! So I will be looking to make my car as reliable as possible but with upgrades to braking and electrical systems. Then I might think about performance enhancement. I live in deepest South Essex. Does anyone know of a specialist within striking distance?