Morris Minor Owners Club

Hi, I've just joined up to the message board, been an MMOC member since I was 17 (now 29).

I have a '63 4 door 1098 (on the road, but not very often), a '71 2 door (been on axle stands for 10 years ), and it looks like I've just bought a '69 traveller (need something practical to put my 2 dogs in the back of after they've trashed the back seats of my jap box celica).

I've not seen this traveller in the flesh yet, but am aware that it needs serious gearbox work (apparently it's noisy in 2nd and 3rd). I am hoping to swap the gearbox out for another, hopefully I can get hold of one quickly. I am hoping that the bodywork is in reasonable condition, is there any particular points to look out for on a traveller, over a saloon (apart from the wood, obviously)?

Am am going to attempt to teach my partner to drive in it as well, which should be fun.

A couple of questions:

1) Anyone got a good 1098 gearbox going spare in the southwest?

2) How big a job is it to swap the box over (I think it will go to a local garage, who are quite 'friendly'), how many hours labour are we looking at?

3) Is there a Cornwall branch at all - I haven't seen one mentioned either on here on in Minor Matters?

4) What was the list price of the traveller in 1969? Does anyone have any offical price lists? (I want to register this as a company car, and I beleive I should be paying company car tax on the original list price).

5) Does the club insurance scheme (AON) cover learners? What about business use? (but not both at the same time!)

TIA

Hi!

2) How big a job is it to swap the box over (I think it will go to a local garage, who are quite 'friendly'), how many hours labour are we looking at?

It depends on how many problems thay hit. If all the nuts and bolts come undone then towards anywhere between 3 and 4 hours. If it all goes pear shaped then somewhere up to 8.
Time wise there is not a lot of difference between dropping the box and taking engine and gearbox out together. To get the box out on its own you need to lower the back of engine as far as possible and rotate the box to clear the steering rack.

3) Is there a Cornwall branch at all - I haven't seen one mentioned either on here on in Minor Matters?

There is a cornwall club but they are not in the MMOC

5) Does the club insurance scheme (AON) cover learners? What about business use? (but not both at the same time!)

AON don't do flat rates so the price depends on what you want/need and nwhere you are etc... They often offer the best rates for young drivers, but I've no idea about learners. I've not found AON to be very competetive but they do have a very good reputation - it all depends if you want peace of mind or just a piece of paper.