Morris Minor Owners Club

Simmitc wrote:-

That is just not realistic for owners who use the cars as daily transport (nor for restorers who are reduced to appealing on this forum for anyone who can offer swivel pins for customers' cars ). Moreover, faulty casting is not bad luck, for a complete batch to fail, it's poor workmanship

Quite agree, but we are back to the 'old chestnut' again, if manufacturers are constantly being told that what they produce is too expensive, when in reality its damn good value, then they have two options, tell us where to go ,or try and reduce costs.
I'm led to believe that this might have been the case with the swivel pins. It is the bad luck of the commissioning company, that the poor workmanship of the manufacturer has let them down. Not their fault, and in fact a great financial loss to them despite any legal redress that they might have. I'm quite sure that the Commissioning company will not allow this situation to repeat its self, and credit to them for persevering to find a new supplier.
Its unfortunate that this problem has been with such an important item rather than a less crucial part.
My view is that more attention needs to be drawn to the real problems for the Minor which are the quality of chrome and panels. The MMOC, if they are to take a pro active role in parts supply should 'promote the 'working party' that they set up to look into such matters. But unfortunately this body has had far to few meetings in its 2 year life and has still to come to terms with who does what and who supplies what, how good is it and what can we do about any failings or short comings.
If the membership and the MMOC are serious about supply and quality of parts then more effort is required.

Well said Jonathon.

Pete

That is just not realistic for owners who use the cars as daily transport

Not many years ago, my boss's Passat was off the road for months waiting for parts (coil pack I think). He got a courtessy car as it was a warranty issue but I'm sure many owners had to pay if their car was out of warranty.
Waiting for parts does is not just for classics - at least we weren't supplied with defective swivel pins (unlike many other parts which are supplied defective).

We don't have ANY new swivel pins which is why I tried to find an alternative supplier or solution.

but there is the issue of it being in competition with the major suppliers.

That's the silly thing. There is no good reason for the club to be in competition with the major suppliers, and the parts can be sold through the normal supplier network. If and when there is a genuine spares shortage, those involved can work together for everyone's benefit.

Thinking about it I don't see that the club would be in competition if they are supplying something that nobody else is.

But they would be in competition with the current company commissioning the SP's at the moment, which would serve no purpose at all. Plus I do not believe that the MMOC, have the required funds nor would commit to such a high spend, on what has been over tha past year , a risky product.
Admirable for you to try different sources, but believe me the trade is not sitting on its hands.

Thanks for the positive comment Jonathon but too many times I have been told 'Oh, they don't make those anymore' or 'you can't get that for love nor money' etc etc...When I have tried for myself then I decide.
A good example is cine film, you won't find it in a high street store but it is readily available in 16mm 8mm and 9.5mm if you look hard enough, but that's another hobby.
Back on topic....
So who is this commissioning company? and when you say current have there been previous ones? What is their background?
I'm sure everyone is working hard to get this problem sorted out I just don't understand why it is taking so long. If my van had failed it's MOT this year on Swivel Pin wear I'd have been stuffed. Nowhere to keep it off road so it would have been sold or scrapped and I wouldn't have bought another Minor for similar fears of parts supply. To balance that out there have been many occasions over my 20 odd years of ownership where suppliers have got important parts to me next day and saved my bacon. There have been others where I have had to wait a short while for parts but never over a year.

Out of interest Jonathon how did you get on with the companies that you enquired with back in March?

If the MMOC is financing the remanufacture of obsolete parts then it is not in competition with other traders. Part of the remit of the club as I see it is to secure the future of Morris Minors where possible by locating or reproducing rare and obsolete parts. Obviously it has to be careful with OUR money and therefore ensure that there is a market for the parts. With an item as important as swivel pins it is likely that most Minors on the road (or not yet on the road) will need a pair at some time.
On a slightly different tack, does anyone on the commmittee read this website? If so then maybe we could have some feedback, otherwise we are just talking amongst ourselves and nothing is going to get done.

On a slightly different tack, does anyone on the commmittee read this website? If so then maybe we could have some feedback, otherwise we are just talking amongst ourselves and nothing is going to get done.

Many committee members read the website on occassion, however I think it was only Bill that read most of the threads, and sadly he's left committee.
There was talk that relevant quetions would be forwarded to committee with the intention to get feedback - I can't remember how that ended up though.

It will come to a point that people will leave the MMOC because they will either have to scrap or sell their car because they cant get the parts. Its in the interest of the MMOC to either find or remanufacture good quality parts which the traders do not sell.

It will come to a point that people will leave the MMOC because they will either have to scrap or sell their car because they cant get the parts.

Some already have, but it seems that many will be in the club until they meet their maker. Hence the lack of Minors at the AGM etc...
I guess the OAP discount helps keep the older members, but there are plenty of things for active members to do...

Many people think 'the club' should be doing X,Yand Z but what is needed are people willing to do it. The majority of committee members are already busy.

Therefore the AGM is the best place to suggest things, and if you are determined to do stuff without giving up due to a slow response, then it will happen.
At the aGM, I'm hoping for some extra inertia behind the parts quality working group - Sadly I couldn't make the first 2 meetings and there didn't seem to be ay more

rayofleamington wrote: Many committee members read the website on occassion, however I think it was only Bill that read most of the threads, and sadly he's left committee.
There was talk that relevant quetions would be forwarded to committee with the intention to get feedback - I can't remember how that ended up though.

I still read most of the threads, and only wish I had not felt compelled to resign my positions, as now that I have taken early retirement I have more than enough time to devote to the club.

Questions have been submitted to the committee, and chased, but unfortunately there has stll been no response. This also applies to my own personal queries.

I was, and am, still prepared to forward relevent questions, however if you read back through some of the postings, I think you will find that it all ground to a halt when I mentioned the word commitment to those raising them.

rayofleamington wrote:....., but there are plenty of things for active members to do...

I have tried, and am still trying.

Would you want to resurect the post Bill and see what responce you get, now that we are nearer to the AGM ?

In my view, without commitment, the AGM will simply be a repeat of last years.

Agreed, but is it too late to ask again for suggestions and the ability for those offering them to attend the meeting. Even if the suggestions were made by post, they could be discussed at the AGM by those who can make it there in person.

I'm hoping to be at the AGM and am very interested in the parts issue.

wibble xx

Well now that you have asked the question, let's see if there is any response.

wibble_puppy wrote:I'm hoping to be at the AGM and am very interested in the parts issue.

wibble xx

Do you have any specific questions to ask, and if so, are you prepared to ask for these to be added to the agenda?

would have to ponder to come up with a specific question likely to elicit a useful and positive outcome... any ideas? I'd be happy to be the bearer of a carefully-composed question from us all.

I think there will be some sensible types at the meeting too, to back up a question of this sort.

I seem to remember this being suggested last year, can you remember what happened