Re: Morris Minor and researching other classics
Posted: Mon May 14, 2012 6:37 pm
As a classic to use everyday, the late 1098cc Minor is probably one of the best, along with the MGB, Midget and Mini. Not sure what the insurance situation is with those others, but as already said many classic insurers no longer cover under- 21/25s, as too many have been jumping on the bandwagon of cheap classic insurance. Fortunately, Footman James will still insure young drivers on Minors through the club scheme.
You mentioned you like the Rover 2000 (presumably you mean the P6, rather than SD1?). Lovely cars, and very much more sophisticated to drive than a Minor, but also very much harder to work on, with inboard rear disc brakes, independent rear suspension and an OHC engine. Fuel consumption is likely to be the wrong side of 25mpg, particularly with an automatic gearbox.
If properly maintained, Minors are generally reliable and quite economical. You should get in the region of 40mpg, although that'll obviously depend on driving style and how well set-up the car is. I've no idea what the performance of a 1300 Dolomite is like, but I suspect somewhat better than a Minor. Motorways are perfectly doable, although not the Minor's forte, being a little noisy and having a maximum cruising speed of 60-65mph on a standard car.
No modifications are necessary for everyday use, although there are lots of upgrades to choose from if you so wish. Front brakes are one of the most common major modifications, as the standard drums aren't the best (although adequate if they're in good condition).
Parts are readily available from a number of suppliers, and can be had very cheaply. Unfortunately, as you seem to have discovered with your Triumph, not all parts are of satisfactory quality. There have been problems in the past with batches of rotor arms, points sets, rear springs, front suspension legs, &c., plus problems with some ill-fitting reproduction panels. Don't let that put you off, though. You can get a perfectly servicable example of just about any part you're likely to need in normal home servicing/repair.
Prices for decent cars seem to have been on the rise for the past couple of years, but you should be able to get something reliable and resonably presentable for about £1500. If you can't weld, it's generally much better to buy something with a solid structure but tatty interior/exterior or known mechanical faults, rather than something with a nice shiny coat of paint and sound mechanicals, but a rotten/dubiously repaired underside. Examples of both do exist.
You mentioned you like the Rover 2000 (presumably you mean the P6, rather than SD1?). Lovely cars, and very much more sophisticated to drive than a Minor, but also very much harder to work on, with inboard rear disc brakes, independent rear suspension and an OHC engine. Fuel consumption is likely to be the wrong side of 25mpg, particularly with an automatic gearbox.
If properly maintained, Minors are generally reliable and quite economical. You should get in the region of 40mpg, although that'll obviously depend on driving style and how well set-up the car is. I've no idea what the performance of a 1300 Dolomite is like, but I suspect somewhat better than a Minor. Motorways are perfectly doable, although not the Minor's forte, being a little noisy and having a maximum cruising speed of 60-65mph on a standard car.
No modifications are necessary for everyday use, although there are lots of upgrades to choose from if you so wish. Front brakes are one of the most common major modifications, as the standard drums aren't the best (although adequate if they're in good condition).
Parts are readily available from a number of suppliers, and can be had very cheaply. Unfortunately, as you seem to have discovered with your Triumph, not all parts are of satisfactory quality. There have been problems in the past with batches of rotor arms, points sets, rear springs, front suspension legs, &c., plus problems with some ill-fitting reproduction panels. Don't let that put you off, though. You can get a perfectly servicable example of just about any part you're likely to need in normal home servicing/repair.
Prices for decent cars seem to have been on the rise for the past couple of years, but you should be able to get something reliable and resonably presentable for about £1500. If you can't weld, it's generally much better to buy something with a solid structure but tatty interior/exterior or known mechanical faults, rather than something with a nice shiny coat of paint and sound mechanicals, but a rotten/dubiously repaired underside. Examples of both do exist.
