I love them until I sit in them

Discuss anything Morris Minor related.
Forum rules
By using this site, you agree to our rules. Please see: Terms of Use
Post Reply
mikec4193
Minor Fan
Posts: 173
Joined: Tue Apr 26, 2016 6:48 pm
Location: Upstate New York USA
MMOC Member: Yes

I love them until I sit in them

Post by mikec4193 »

Hi Morris Minor folks

I have been fiddling with these cars off and on since Covid hit....love love love the looks of them...parts suppliers are great (the money exchange rate does make it very costly to purchase and ship parts)...I am very thankful that there is aftermarket support all in place for guys like me...I had a Datsun truck in 2025/26 that I saved and there is no real aftermarket for them..

The cars themselves seem like very cool little cars...I think I could fit 2 of them in my shop and still have room to tinker on them...

Then I sit in the drivers seat...holey cow...I get so claustrophobic I have to open the door to not have that feeling...

I was told that when these little cars were first built they were considered a big car compared to the pre-war stuff...

So I will be selling my current project I picked up in June of 2026. I got it to a point where I think it would run but I have no desire to drive.

Makes me feel like I am in a sardine car I guess...never been in a sardine can but my dad used the term back in the day for being in a tight place...

I will be continuing on my rat rod project but that I will probably never drive it either.
IMG_20260929_150519_403.jpg
IMG_20260929_150519_403.jpg (112.09 KiB) Viewed 1678 times
IMG_20260929_143754_936.jpg
IMG_20260929_143754_936.jpg (79.81 KiB) Viewed 1678 times
IMG_20260801_163110_531.jpg
IMG_20260801_163110_531.jpg (89.17 KiB) Viewed 1678 times

How do you guys drive them and not feel all closed in?? That steering wheel is literally right on top of the windshield...

Just wondering out loud...

MikeC
jaekl
Minor Addict
Posts: 721
Joined: Thu Jun 19, 2008 7:40 pm
Location: Pennsylvania, USA
MMOC Member: No

Re: I love them until I sit in them

Post by jaekl »

You said you had Beetles. Aren't they are worse? The seat to door post can be tight and Benson and Hedges had to put a bubble in the windscreen for their mm extra cigarettes. The later steering wheel is farther from the screen.
User avatar
geoberni
Minor Maniac
Posts: 5313
Joined: Fri Aug 04, 2017 11:19 am
Location: North Leicestershire
MMOC Member: Yes

Re: I love them until I sit in them

Post by geoberni »

Yes, the windscreen in the MM/SII really is close, I've had mine 9 years and I still bang my fingers on the 'screen if attempting a wave of acknowledgement to another classic.... :roll:

As to interior size, best you never even consider a Classic Mini..... :lol:
Basil the 1955 series II

Image
User avatar
Bill_qaz
Minor Legend
Posts: 2383
Joined: Fri Jan 14, 2022 7:31 pm
Location: Oxfordshire
MMOC Member: Yes

Re: I love them until I sit in them

Post by Bill_qaz »

Have you sat in a later series 5,with seat mounts on the rearmost set of holes and a std minor but adjustable option seat.
Having owned an original Fiat 500 it seems roomy by comparison but all UK cars of the era are small compared with American cars.
IMG-20260131-WA0005.jpg
IMG-20260131-WA0005.jpg (330.59 KiB) Viewed 1646 times
Regards Bill
User avatar
Mr Spigot
Minor Fan
Posts: 379
Joined: Mon Sep 13, 2021 2:44 pm
Location: Eastbourne, Sussex
MMOC Member: Yes

Re: I love them until I sit in them

Post by Mr Spigot »

Bill_qaz wrote: ↑Wed Nov 04, 2026 12:42 pm ...... all UK cars of the era are small compared with American cars.
IMG-20260131-WA0005.jpg
UK cars of any era are small compared to American cars! We hired a car to take 5 of us to a family wedding in the US a couple of years ago and it was like driving a bungalow! Having just returned from New York, the majority of cars are enormous SUVs and 6 lane highways abound.
1960 2 door 'Mostyn' - 1275 Midget engine - WOI 577 - owned since 1990
1952 MM convertible 'Mawdie' - 918 SV engine - MWD 305 - owned since 2023
mikec4193
Minor Fan
Posts: 173
Joined: Tue Apr 26, 2016 6:48 pm
Location: Upstate New York USA
MMOC Member: Yes

Re: I love them until I sit in them

Post by mikec4193 »

I have actually thought about building a Mini...over the UK you guys have Mini-Stox I think they are called...they are very very intriguing to me...I would love to build one...not sure I would want to drive it...but building one I think it would be fun...
mini cooper on a trailer.jpg
mini cooper on a trailer.jpg (55.26 KiB) Viewed 1075 times
myoldjalopy
Minor Legend
Posts: 3562
Joined: Tue Jan 29, 2013 10:32 pm
Location: Kernow
MMOC Member: Yes

Re: I love them until I sit in them

Post by myoldjalopy »

Why not get an early 50's Morris Oxford? Its like a big version of the Minor!
Post Reply