The Changing Status of the Minor

[myoldjalopy]

I don't know about you guys, but I feel a little rueful about how the Minor's status has changed over the last 15 - 20 years.
I mean, they just aren't as common a sight as they once were. This means that, instead of driving round a familiar 'old car', which everyone recognises, and most mechanics are familiar with, I feel as if I am now driving an antique (mine is a 1955 model). This means an increased sense of responsibility and some slight anxiety which I didn't have when they were more commonplace. It was great when you just drove the damn things instead of feeling you have to cosset them. Less and less are they used as an everyday car.........and I miss what used to be the frequent friendly encounters with other Minors on the road (a wave, a flash of the lights ). Some don't even know what a Minor is! Many youngsters say to me "Hey, that's a cool car - what is it?" And the last mechanic I would trust with it, if I got outside my comfort zone in repairs, is soon to retire.
Any thoughts, anyone?

Cheers,

Pete

[SteveClem]

I suppose it's inevitable as the cars(and many of the drivers!)get older. We are still fortunate to have an advice and parts backup that other marque enthusiasts would envy.

[LobbyLudd]

Its a sign that we are all getting that little bit older ' very gradually '

"How did it get so late so soon ?
Its night before its afternoon.
December is here before June.
My goodness how time has flown.
How did it get so late so soon ? ................. Dr Seuss

[myoldjalopy]

I just guess its the loss of familiar, much loved things - like telegraph poles with cross bars and ceramic insulators......or people in shops who called you 'sir' instead of 'buddy'
The old ways are (mostly) the best ways - whatever happened to good old fashioned CHARM?? This country's values have been destroyed by self-serving politicians and worshiping at the altar of corporate greed

[mike.perry]

When did you last see a Ford Anglebox or Cortina, or even a classic Mini? They were once far more common than Morris Minors but not any more.

[graham1957]

hi pete, yes i see what you mean, its reassurring that mmoc has a lot of young members to look after these old cars in the future, where i can try to chat to the younger members and give them my advise in terms of carrying out repairs and servicing.
last weekend i got court up in a road traffic accident in my morris van, the guy that run into me said my rear indicator light is small but i pointed out its the same light thats on land rovers up to two years ago! running a morris is no fun when things like this happen, even the insurance companies would prefer you to run a modern eurobox!! Graham

[les]

When did you last see a Ford Anglebox or Cortina, or even a classic Mini? They were once far more common than Morris Minors but not any more.

Ironically I saw a maroon Ford Corsair locally about 3 hrs ago! Looked a bit tatty.

[myoldjalopy]

It was great when you could get easily a decent second hand Minor locally, instead of having to search the length and breadth of the country........... I'm too young to have ever bought one brand new! I remember an old guy once stopped to speak to me about my (previous) Minor: "Now thass what I call a PROPER mawtor car, not like wan o' they new-fangled gadgets!" (pointing his stick down the road)....and THAT was nearly 20 years ago!

[POMMReg]

When did you last see a Ford Anglebox or Cortina, or even a classic Mini? They were once far more common than Morris Minors but not any more.

Even worse for small commercials, I've been after an exRM "tin pod" Combo for several years to replace the one I had to get shot of due to a company van and limited space.

Given up on another Astramax.

[SteveClem]

Clarkson said that a white Astramax was the fastest vehicle on the road....it was the only thing that ever overtook him when he was driving a Ferrari.

[POMMReg]

Clarkson said that a white Astramax was the fastest vehicle on the road....it was the only thing that ever overtook him when he was driving a Ferrari.

Had mine up to 135!

[les]

That must have been some dream you had!
I've been overtaken by a Micra.