Morris Minor Owners Club

CAN ANYONE PLEASE LET ME KNOW OF ANY LOCAL MINOR GARAGES NEAR TO BARKING ESSX

You'll be lucky, the only one that I know of in Essex is in Colchester. Someone else may know different though.

What is it that you need?

Mick

I have just brought a 1968 minor in original condition with only 10k from new I want to find a garage local to me who can look it over and sort anything out what might need doeing.

You'd be better off asking for any local members to have a look.

In my experience your average garage wont have a clue where to start and 'specialists' are sadly few and far between.

WHat you need is a chap with a beard.

Not sure about the beard but asking the local branch members is good advice.
What you need to find is probably in a railway arch or some back street.
The proprietor and chief mechanic may well wear blue overalls and be over 50.
You could ask your dad or aged neighbour.
You don't really need a specialist for most things as these cars are very basic.
Is there anything in particular you are worried about?
This forum is a great source of information

Moggy1961, I'm not a mechanic and neither was I ever interested in repairing cars. But after trying to get my dads moggy back on the road, it is surprisingly simple. The only difficult parts are ones that are a tad tough after being tightened or not removed for a long period of time. If this is the case a large wooden hammer, some releasing oil and a decent socket set works wonders. Give it a go, everyone on here is very helpful and will literally talk (or type) you through the job!

No nothing inperticular as it is totally original and only covering 10K "it has been profeshionally stored for the past 28 years at great expence ! I just want it completly checked over and any work which needs doeing done.It still has the original tyres and probably 1968 air in them!!!! It is as if it has just been delivered from the local showroom today

it is totally original and only covering 10K "it has been profeshionally stored for the past 28 years

Sounds like the concourse trafalgar blue 2 door that was for sale on e-bay! From the sounds of it you won't be needing much work done for a while. As already stated, there aren't any Minor garages near to Barking but ask the local branch or friends/ neighbours. Hopefully someone will be able to recommend one.

It still has the original tyres and probably 1968 air in them!!!!

If they are the original tyres from 1968, I would think they would have perished, even if they look ok I would have them replaced.
It would be worth getting them checked anyway at your local tyre suppliers . Unfortunately tyres do have a shelf life.

Mick

Learn to DIY the car - it's really easy. First step probably is to take it for an MOT - as above - it's likely the tyres will be well past their best (cross plies are horrible anyway) and may be cracked on the sidewalls which will fail the MOT. Even if they pass - the rubber will be hard as nails (due to age) and the grip will be terrible. Nearest replacement is 145 x 14 radials (80 section) and are available from the likes of BullMotif and others. Don't forget to get a radial spare tyre too!

well tyres that are over a certain age will fail the mot anyway

also i would check all the rubbers and brakes as they may well be perished

The tyres may not be safe but if the side walls are not cracked or bulging and if the tread is not worn then they will pass an MOT. There is no legal age limit for tyres.... Not yet, at least.

well i certainly would not trust old tyres anyway

they may be cracked inside

and there is an age limit on tyres as to safe use, thats why they are stamped with year of manufacture

Agreed, I wouldn't trust old tyres, damaged tyres or anything tyre related that looked in the slightest bit iffy, but, date stamps are there from manufacturing processes to provide traceability in the event of a subsequent problem once tyres are out in the field. ie, if a particular brand has alot of sudden failures that were all manufactured in the same batch then they can be traced and recalled. Tyres manufacturers would love for tyres to be chucked away every 4 years or so then thay can sell more but there is still no law in the UK that relates to the age of tyres.

We've been over this recently - there is definitely NO age limit on tyres for MOT. It's all down to cracking/bulging/baldness - sounds a bit like me really!

bm you did'nt include a difficulty in geting them pumped up HARD