Morris Minor Owners Club

Hi mbo145, I'm on the left of the photo.




My nieces 50 years later.

I'd say a 2 door saloon for a tall bloke like yourself!
Provided the front and rear screen seals aren't leaking then it'll last you for years on end, used and sat outside in all weathers.
A tatty looking (but mechanically sound) saloon will be cheap compared to a shiny looking rot box, and you don't have to be paranoid about getting a ding in the supermarket carpark etc..

You can pick up Minors with a 1275 engine + disk brakes for not much difference in price from a standard car - knowing your tendency not to leave things alone you may as well get something uprated and avoid doing it yourself... Just a suggestion.
Personally I find a standard 1098 to make a perfect every day car. They aren't quick, but if driven carefully on a run they'll give great mpg, and if serviced properly they can give good reliability. You'll be at the mercy of the occassional idiot needing to overtake for no reason, although it's less hassle in a 1275 as you can ward them off much easier ;-)

What kind of a drive is this 8 mile commute?
Traffic all the way, empty A roads or a quick motorway blast?

I was using the mog every day, up to 500 miles a week on occasions for over 10 years. A failed head gasket and a cooked engine meant a swap to the eurotrash. I've missed her so much and my weekend fix is just not enough I'm in the process of swapping back!

i can second getting a tatty but sound car! thoug mines not so sound atm and very tatty! i prefer to call it character though ;
)

Hi and thanks for all the replies
Very interesting.

MarkyB wrote:What kind of a drive is this 8 mile commute?
Traffic all the way, empty A roads or a quick motorway blast?

It's mainly on single track roads not much larger than farm tracks but they are used as a rat-run so hedge diving is a regular occurence.........
The only hill is a level crossing at the half-way point!

Thanks again

Martin

Sounds like you have convinced yourself Martin of the need for a 2 door saloon but with a 1275 engine and discs for the country tracks

My Traveller is in everyday use and still has points and condensor, my MGB has an electronic distributor and is used almost as often as the Minor.

Neither has ever let me down.

If it ain't broke don't fix it.

Using a Minor for everyday transport? Certainly, no problem - that's my vote.

Im not really adding much to this other than to say I have used Minors daily for years. Just be strict with the maintenance, skimp it and you will be using more fuel and risk losing reliability.

staffs, what sort of maintenance and where for using less fuel and good reliability?