Morris Minor Owners Club

Dear all

In light of Steve's problem with the neighbours and pen pushers (aka Council) the days of my '71 Trav are now limited. I've been given an ultimatum that it either goes to be fixed or it goes on ebay - either way it has got to be out of the garden soon as it has outstayed its welcome. (and it is sinking, and open to the elements!)

My question (which has been asked by someone else but I thought I would bump this back up):

Does anyone from the Cov area/Brum branch use the forum and would they be willing to have a look to see if it is worth saving, and also do they know anyone who can do it.

I can't afford a full resto or massive garage bills - i'm just looking to get an MoT so it can be moved around as an ongoing project. Given some of the pics on here that people have saved - I think mine is in quite good nick! I would be gutted to see her go after all i went through to get her this far.

I've got about a week to a fortnight to sort it otherwise i'll be living in the back for Christmas!

Matt

Thats bad news Matt I assume its in a front garden as I know a few that have lived quite happily in back gardens for quite a long time with no problems.

it's a pity i can't do whats needed at yours that way we're both sorted but it's a bit of a pain bring all my welders tools compressor etc all that way

Which part of Coventry are you?

Kevin, it's in the back garden, but the problem is it is on full view from the kitchen window and door (I think this is the main gripe but I try not to discuss it!). The garden is only 48ft x 18ft with shed and two dogs attempting to run around!

I think the wood has been sanded and so is starting to darken with this damp weather. To be honest i think the (main) areas are floor, brakes, back wings, front bulb, rear lenses and bulbs and a couple of belts under the bonnet, and a carpet. The back doors could be made good with the spare set i've got, but the wood rail at the bottom above the rear bumper is soft/rotten. Probably new tyres to be safe as they are over 6 yrs old. It has a brand new battery (flat).

Ray, i'm just off the Ansty Road in Wyken, the main road near Walsgrave Hospital and I work from home 2-3 days a week. There is a track off the road at the back of the house that gives access to the gates at the bottom of the garden.

All ideas/suggestions welcome! I just don't want to throw more money at transporting it again if it is a dead loss

It's the wrong side of Coventry for me, but I might be able to get over.

It would be great if you could Ray, or if you know someone aroound here - I'm not from Coventry so don't know any enthusiasts in the area. I'm in Leam every week - shame i can't drag the thing over with me for you to see!

PM me your address and I'll see what I can do over the next week. In between working and sleeping I'm quite busy (heling a friend move house and trying to work on my pick-up too) but will try my best.

Hi Matt

Have you tried the Coventry Branch - someone there might be able to help - contact details in MMOC handbook - they meet at Jaguar Social Club at Browns Lane on the last Wed of the Month so next meet is Wed 28 Nov.

Rog

Thanks Rog i'll try and track down a phone number, i've missed the Nov meet and i doubt there will be a December one.

Do you think it is a bit cheeky given that i'm not a member yet?

Well you can always join up

Membership is on my Christmas list

Get a decent car cover for Christmas - wrap it up safely and paint it with nice far-away hills scene so her indoors won't notice the Traveller! Or - move it into the hut - expanding the hut as necessary!!

Righto folks - a second opinion!
The UOG Traveller has plenty of redeeming features. To be saved it needs to have someone who can weld and replace the brakes and rear lights. However the welding needed for MOT is nothing out of the ordinary for a Traveller.

The wood needs a good clean, sealing and some varnish but somehow it has not yet deteriorated and will look very nice given some TLC.

The floors and centre crossmember - serviceable.

Front chassis legs - patched at the front and patched front crossmember but nothing terminal.

Sills - replaced and not perfect but would get through an MOT - maybe with or without a bit of patching.

Rear inner arches - Shoddy at the front with big patches and most likely dreadful under the wing seam.

Rear wings - terminal. One rotted with many holes and the other was probably even worse but has been filled.

Front inner arches - I couldn't really see much due to limited access but have been repaired in the past and may (or may not) need some local repairs. The top strengthener panels need replacing (square panel with a big hole above the top bump stop).

Front wings - not yet scrap, but tatty and looking much worse due to big red primer repairs on the white paint!

In the short term, Matthew is hopefully going to cover it up again - and ideally slab over the wet dirt/grass where the car is currently standing.
Hopefully there will be someone with a passion for minors and a lowish hourly rate that can sort this one out - I'd guess 40 to 60 hours for a seasoned pro (plus tea breaks) but obviously that's only a VERY rough guess.

Thanks for coming over Ray, I really appreciate it! Well, just to bump this back up.

So, does anyone know of someone who would be able to do the work? I'll try and sneak the Chrostmas bonus away to give me a head start!

Bumping up again - getting UOG on the road has been added to my list of resolutions!

Anyone want to put their name forward to do the work and earn a few New Year pennies??? Pleeease!

Matt

If you get no answers Matt, don't forget to schmooze you local MMOC branch. I don't know if they do much but they may be able to recommend someone...
Or try the likes of the Minor specialists - from previous adverts in Minor Matters I think there were one or 2 north Midlands specialists who did major welding jobs for sensible money.