This......
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....is Pepper, my recently-acquired 1955 splitscreen project
A couple of weeks ago I was looking for a new classic car that I could work on with my (currently) limited skill base but that I could restore to improve my knowledge and skills. I had thought about a Rover P5 as my late father (Brian) had several during his lifetime, but even as a project they are starting to go for silly money - I was offered a 'rolling shell' for over £1500 recently. I then thought about a Triumph, and remembered there was a 1973/1974 2000 saloon less than 5 minutes away. I decided against that car after finding more wrong with it than was right for the price expected it was, in reality, a parts car only. Back to the drawing board.
My mind then dragged out the Morris Minor... I`ve had several since I first passed my driving test. Of course, I don`t need to tell you folks how great these cars are
I looked on a fairly well-known internet auction site and saw a Morris Minor 4-door saloon – and it was a splitscreen version to boot! i`d had a couple of later, single-screened Morrises, but never a splitty. The description was a little on the small side, saying it had no paperwork but the chassis plate was there, as were all the repair panels to complete the bodywork.I messaged the seller, Stuart, and found out the car was located in a place called Castle Camps, just outside Cambridge – a 1 hour drive from where I live in Essex. The chassis number (FAA 11/425334) seems to tally with the car and looks to be between October 1954 and October 1955. Thanks to http://potteries.mmoc.org.uk/Identify.htm for being able to provide the information.
I missed out winning the car by one bid, but offered to buy the car for the finishing bid if the seller backed out. He did – having put a bid in with 10 seconds to spare then realising they were over 300 miles away. I managed to arrange delivery and we got her home on 28th December 2013.
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After getting into the garage and de-cluttering all the interior, the car appears to be very solid – much more so than the 1966 Morris I had (and that was fully road-legal when I got it). I`ve made a list of the work to do below:-
Bodywork – luckily I have all the repair sections needed. A friend, Wayne, has offered to complete the structural welding (floors, tie plates and boot aperture panel) for me. For the rest I will learn from him and complete myself.
Weld in new front tie plates (in engine bay), small patches to inner front wings, new wing-to-door hinge panels (they are both rough at the bottom, floors, refit the sills. new rear boot aperture panel and check boot floor. Then I shall refit the doors and wings and adjust the bootlid and bonnet.
Mechanical -
Rebuild one of the two engines that came with the car. Luckily, I have a choice of either of the 948cc engines. I shall have the crank, block and cylinder head tested for cracks and any other faults before reassembly. I shall have unleaded valves fitted to the head, as well as the combustion chambers being smoothed out for better airflow and also skimmed, if needed. I am also contemplating having all the con-rods, pistons and maybe the crank balanced, lighten the flywheel by a small amount (not that i`m going for massive power, just usability).
I will also need to obtain a new gearbox. I am wondering if a gearbox from a later (post-1964?) 1098cc-powered Morris Minor can be found or whether I should go for a 1275cc MG Midget gearbox? I can`t really justify fitting a 5-speed box, especially as I am on a limited budget. While the engine and gearbox are separated I will also fit a complete new clutch assembly. Rebuild the front and rear brakes with new wheel cylinders and shoes and refit with new pipes. I am sorely tempted, while all the front panels and engine/gearbox are off/out, to remove the complete front suspension assembly while I have easier access to all of the nuts and bolts. If I do, I may try to find a set of Morris Marina front hubs so I could then improve the braking system and fit disc brakes to the front of the car. Obtain and fit a complete new wiring loom.
Trim:-
I have the rear seats and door trims but will need to find the front seats/door trims, preferably in red, although the colour isn`t a drastic thing. Then there will be new carpets and a headlining.
Then, after all this I shall then need to arrange with the DVLA to get the car MOT`d to issue a V5/logbook. The plan is to get the car in a roadworthy condition and usable. In all the years I have been into classic cars (since I was 5 years old – i`m now 30) I don`t ever recall seeing a splitscreen Moggy at a show or even on the road, being used. I`ll be on a fairly limited budget but I won`t be skimping on safety items or cutting corners in the name of saving a couple of pennies to get her finished.
And I guess your wondering why I have decided to call her Pepper. Well, every car needs a name, right? Growing up, I stayed with a friend who called his 1961 Morris Minor Traveller ‘Pepper’. Sadly, he passed away a couple of years ago from lung cancer. When Pepper is completed I hope to take part in a few events that I can raise support and sponsorship for not only cancer research but also the Douglas Bader Foundation in memory of Les and of dad.
Hopefully your still reading at this point (cheers
). As Pepper will be my first attempt at a full restoration rather than a rolling project, i`m sure i`ll be posting a LOT of questions (mainly 'HELP! what/where/how.....') so any advice would be greatfully appreciated
oh well, its not like I need one this second!
he then decided he didn`t want the car..... 
. two of them are 25D`s and the other, I think, is a D M 3? at least i`ll have one to put on my rebuilt 948 when I get round to it, plus have a spare too.
