Morris Minor Owners Club

I set off yesterday to collect the Austin Seven chassis knowing it was going to be a long day of driving and over 300 miles.
What i can report if that the Minor performed faultlessly.
It was my first long journey in the car but I had complete faith in it (plus I'm a member of the AA !)
Route down was all on A & B roads. The engine (standard 1098) seemed to thrive on that sort of driving yet the brakes spoiled the experience a little as mine don't make me feel very safe - discs / servo are definatley going to be fitted.
Comming back my SatNav decided that motorway was best which suited me.
Again first time I'd cruisied any distance on motorways and I was very impressed.
60 mph was probably my average and I had no desire to go faster.
Overall the fuel consumption worked out at just under 45 mpg.
Total mileage was aprox 160 on A & B roads with just under 200 miles on motorways.
Only comments are the Mountney steering wheel I've fitted should be a litlte more dished (like standard wheel) as I found it slighly uncomfortable (I have my hands at 10-2) and seat needs new straps as slight bum ache !
This morning I woke up with no aches or pains and certainly wouldn't hessitate to take my 40 year of car on any long distances again.

Paul Humphries.

BTW Austin Seven chassis is very light, it's in VGC so a bargain for £37, and no problem with it on the Minor roof rack.

Yay

I've always found my seats very comfortable and dont understand why people go on about them not being so. ... Maybe I've got an odd-shaped bum!

Relfy wrote:Yay

I've always found my seats very comfortable and dont understand why people go on about them not being so. ... Maybe I've got an odd-shaped bum!

In our "familly" car the drivers seat is adjustable in all directions yet I find it difficult to get comfortable.
The Minor seats, however, suit me perfectly.
I just need to fit new straps to make them a more comfortable as the rear of base, by backrest, seems to sag too much and thus the little amount of discomfort.

A clock would have been handy and one negative comment is that there is nowhere in a Minor to place a cup of tea when you stop for a rest other than passenger footwell

Paul Humphries.

I just need to fit new straps to make them a more comfortable as the rear of base, by backrest, seems to sag too much and thus the little amount of discomfort.

Glad the drive worked out ok for you Paul regarding the seat webbing straps it's quite an easy-cheap job to do and it makes a tremendous difference to your comfort....but don't forget to do the back of the seat as well.. also when I did mine it also enabled better vision in the wingmirrors.
One thing I cannot understand though is your comments regarding the brakes not been quite satisfactory on A-B roads, maybe worth checking them as I mainly drive that type of road, even non classified roads and always find my drum brakes more than adequate, even the MOT man usually comments how good they are maybe worth a good check around before investing in discs, unless you intend to fit them anyway

Mal

Tip for the tea-while stopped issue. Push the front seats forward and sit in the back. In the 2 door you've got arm rests, in the four door it's not quite so civilised but hey

I used to do that when I was coming back from places late at night, needed a break and something to eat and the only places open were drive through's.

When it's warm, I put the boot lid up, perch on the boot and relax in the shade

*hugs her minor for being awesome*

mal wrote:

One thing I cannot understand though is your comments regarding the brakes not been quite satisfactory on A-B roads, maybe worth checking them as I mainly drive that type of road, even non classified roads and always find my drum brakes more than adequate, even the MOT man usually comments how good they are maybe worth a good check around before investing in discs, unless you intend to fit them anyway

Mal

My brake have new master cylinder, new wheel cylinders and new shoes all round.
The pedal needs "two bites" to be really firm even though fluid 100% air free. Examination of the new shoes shows they are only wearing on edges with a large area still untouched.
The old shoes were well worn but brakes were better.
The new shoes won't lock up the drum despite being fully adjusted.
To me that means drums worn and need replacing hence the "two bites" needed for a firm pedal.
The brakes will stop you on "one bite" - it's just "two bites" feels better.
I've all the parts to convert to discs so it's going to be cheaper to fit them than buy two new drums.

Paul Humphries.

Think you could be right about the drums Paul, anyway if you have the parts for the disc brakes you may as well fit them....

Mal

the new shoes shows they are only wearing on edges with a large area still untouched.

Hi Paul I assume you mean at either end, this can be a slight problem with new shoes on slightly worn drums the trick (if this is the case) is to chamfer both the leading and trailing edges of the shoes to allow full contact of the shoes or wait until they have fully bedded in.
It will also be well worth while re-doing the seats and it doesnt cost much even including new padding, and if you tried your current seats against a recently done pair you will find there is quite a difference in the comfort that has nothing to do with EL`s rear bumper[b/]

A clock would have been handy and one negative comment is that there is nowhere in a Minor to place a cup of tea when you stop for a rest other than passenger footwell

Paul Humphries.

hm maybe bit of sink chain and some self tappers on the glove box to limit opening to the horizontal position.

hm maybe bit of sink chain and some self tappers on the glove box to limit opening to the horizontal position.

Think I would prefer a picnic set or a cafe

I do as Kate do's....
Open the boot and sit under the lid, but usually to busy enjoying the drive

Mal