Morris Minor Owners Club

myoldjalopy wrote: ↑Mon Feb 16, 2026 9:31 am

Bill_qaz wrote: ↑Sun Feb 15, 2026 3:05 pm Unless your aim is concourse originality then the variation is one of the joys of ownership imho. The individuality is what makes it your car and who cares what anyone else thinks. They can have their opinion , it doesn’t make it right for you and your car.

But its not just about concours - many owners want to maintain their car in as original a state as is reasonably possible, at least visually. In the past, I have 'undone' various changes made by a previous owner to get cars to my satisfaction

Yes absolutely. The concours car is not really a car for general use. Absolutely immaculate, crossply tyres, no seatbelts and all of that. My car could never be a concours car. Even a stainless steel exhaust is a modification....But "as original a state as reasonably possible" is achievable and a lot of owners want that.

Stephen

ZL1BBW wrote: ↑Sun Feb 15, 2026 6:22 am then I will order a couple of tins.

How many badges are you painting?

Most people decided in the past on (now discontinued) Rimmel 061 Exotica nail varnish being the closest match to the original red in both colour and metallics for the bonnet flash 'M' surround.

Downside is it's a bit runny so ideally painting it off the car is better than on (it's why my bonnet flash looks a little splattery ) and the brush just doesn't seem designed for painting badges with .

You could always contact Rimmel and ask what their current alternative to that is.

That said, my Mothers car was a garage find, that hadn't been on the road since the 70's and unless the restorer who sold it on painted the badge, if it is original paint then it's just a flat red - but then if it is original it's also 63 year old paint.

myoldjalopy
"But its not just about concours - many owners want to maintain their car in as original a state as is reasonably possible, at least visually. In the past, I have 'undone' various changes made by a previous owner to get cars to my satisfaction "


But that is exactly the point I was making.
Its your car and you make it how you want it.
Be that changing previous owners mods, making it look more original or modifying yourself. Its all individual taste.
My car is mostly original and never been restored only repaired. I would hate to lose the original well worn leather seats for example but the carpets were stained worn and cut so I replaced them.
I fitted door mirrors and inertia seat belt and amber front indicators, none of which are original but it makes me feel safer driving.
My car, no right, no wrong, just my choice

Well, let us hope that any changes made are done respectfully and can be reversed without too much trouble in the future. After all, we are only temporary custodians of these cars - I don't expect or wish my car to expire with me, and hope a future owner will continue to maintain her with care and respect.

Chief wrote: ↑Mon Feb 16, 2026 10:20 am Most people decided in the past on (now discontinued) Rimmel 061 Exotica nail varnish being the closest match to the original red in both colour and metallics for the bonnet flash 'M' surround.

I used Rimmel "I Love Lasting Finish Nail Polish 8ml Exotica 61" (to give it its full name). I applied it with a small modelling brush. It doesn't have the sparkle it should but that may be because I put it on too thick. It has lasted well though - I did it in 2010 and it is as good as the day I did it.

Do you keep your car in a garage?

Mine's always outside, so the Rimmel eventually washes away (I presume) - it leaves a slight gold tinge to the flash, which I put down to the gold flakes (if you look at the bottle in certain light/angles you'll see them clearly).

Kept in a garage and pampered - dehumidifier and a heater if required.

Nell came with quite a lot of mods… some of them I quite like… some not so much… but yes although I can appreciate the value of having one that’s completely original.. At the same time the little tweaks and add ons tell a bit of a story.

The upgraded engine and brakes are a huge bonus considering the fact I use her as my daily and live in an area with lots of busy, fast moving traffic. Some of the tweaks I’d like to change though… She’s had a reverse light, fog lights and a heating element stuck to the back window.. all useful (although I’ve disconnected the heating element as it doesn’t work ) but I’m not keen on the ugly metal plate with a row of plastic switches which has been stuck to her dashboard, along with a digital clock. Useful but not visually pleasing

I’m hoping I can perhaps remove it and add more discreet switches?.. I also wish she was still a pull start as I think that’s so cool… but probably more faff than it’s worth to change it all over again. Depends too on the reasons she was changed to ignition start!

Sorry slightly off topic there… we were talking about bonnet badges