Morris Minor Owners Club

Some back to basics help needed please...

All being well I am picking up my Moggie on Saturday, but my excitement is tempered by apprehension as I have a 200 mile journey home and I am only used to driving modern cars . Plan is to keep to a steady 50, take a 20 minute break every 50 miles and wrap up warm...but any other tips gratefully received, no matter how basic!

well use the gears for braking as well as brakes

take it easy until you get used to the driving technique


there is no syncro in first gear, so to cahnge into first you need to be stationary

You will be well used to it after those 200 miles home!!
Leave a good gap between you and the car in front if your not used to the brakes.
Most of all enjoy the experience!

Where are you driving from/to?

Check the oil, water and tyre pressures before you leave and check the oil and water again for the first couple of stops, its best to be on the safe side until you know what the oil and water consumption is like. And carry a spare can of oil and a gallon of water. Also put a box of tools in the boot.
The car will soon realise that it has a new driver and if you are not carrying any tools it will break down just for fun!
If the orange light on the right side of the speedo comes on whilst you are driving STOP It means that you have almost no oil pressure.
Enjoy your drive.

Take a flask of coffee....

200 mile is nothing to worry about.

Some of the posts make it sound like a long drive.

Just check the levels and fill up with petrol then take your time and enjoy. Have a break half way and have a quick check round.

Stay awake! There's something about the sound and movement of Moggies that some people find too comforting.
Ok, it's usually the kids, but it nearly happened to me once too.

hello 200 miles a stroll in the park if she is half decent treat with respect all these old ladies from who ever made them need respect, i have a mate who just cant drive a classic steady has to be foot to the boardsi have seen him destroy perrfectly good cars he calls himself a classic fan i call him the destroyer, my point is look after her and she will look after you,,grandad

If the car is a sound example I think you will be pleasantly surprised at how well they drive and apart from the checks mentioned just take your time with the brakes and gearbox as also mentioned.
One thing if you find misting of the windscreen a bit of an issue the quarter light can be opened to allow some extra air over the screen, however in these temperatures I dont think you will want it open for long.

If waiting at traffic lights or traffic jam, then make sure that you put the handbrake on, gear in neutral, and foot OFF the clutch. If you keep your foot on the clutch then you will accelerate wear on the release bearing. MOdern cars tend to use a ball race, but the Minor is a carbon bush. It's normally good for well over 100K miles, but will wear out if abused.

Other than that, 200 miles nothing, it's really only because it's a new experience for you that you need to take it gently until you get used to the car.

smile and enjoy!!!!!

just take it steady 55 to 60 is a good speed the car will tell you when its not happy.have a break half way,check the lavals again so you get to know what the car uses if anything.the brakes are not like modern cars but work well enough.anticipate the road ahead,and be prepared for the idiots that will overtake you in stupid places.you will get to know the minor and all its quwerks in 200 miles enjoy it .

You will soon get used to it.

I find that my saloon soon mists up the rear window this weather and leaving the quarterlight open while keeping the heater on tends to clear this up.

Leave plenty of room up to the car in front. The brakes WILL stop if you do an emergency stop but they heat up and fade far more quickly than modern brakes so it's much better if you use engine braking (going down the gears rather than just relying on the brakes).

Also, because there is no synchro on bottom gear you might find that when you select the gear, it might crunch (even when stationary). To get over this, select 2nd gear beforehand and then forward into bottom gear. This soon becomes second nature (no pun intended) and I have become so used to it now that I do it when coming up to junctions/traffic lights in modern cars.

I remember when I first drove a Minor and apart from the noise, brakes and first gear, the suspension 'wafted' a lot when going over bumps. If you encounter speed humps or bumps in the road then go over them slowly as the suspension is a bit more basic that it's modern equivilant!!

Above all, ENJOY!!! I can guarantee you will have a huge grin on your face.

p.s. if the engine is set up correctly then you should be able to get about 220 miles or so out of a full tank of fuel.

I am a worrywart and as well as carring some of the basics listed above, i am also covered by a national breakdown service. I have never used it ( i have broken down a couple of times but sorted it myself) but i do feel more comfortable knowing that if the worst comes to the worst I can get 'rescued'.

I agree with dalebrignall 55 - 60 is easy and comfrotable in a 1098 moggy, I do not know about smaller engined versions. If you want to stick to 50 fine but be aware that you might be holding other drivers up so pull over occassionaly to let them pass. I do this when driving my MO across country and makes for a lot more relaxed drive rather than having someone driving up your boot or overtaking in dangerous places.

If the car only has trafficators be aware that many users are not aware of them and will not see them so take extra care when using them.

my final advice is be aware that many drivers will not see a moggy doing 60 but a "slow old car" and will pull out in front of you (or does that only happen to me!).

Eventualy this all comes as second nature, just relax and enjoy your new car.

Thanks everyone for responses so far. I am driving from Hull to Aylesbury (spending my Friday winding my way up North courtesy of the National Express), car is a 1098 saloon with a heater (which I guess makes it a luxury car!). Will let you know how I get on!

Good luck with the trip, i am sure you wont need it. Most of all ENJOY IT.
Give yourself plenty of time and the miles will fly by. All you need to do now is how to deal with the big SMILE you will have on your face all the way.

wow I think I'm jealous! Also take a blanket, flask and some emergency chocolate as well as a fully charged mobile in case there are any weather issues....or you just enjoy chocolate anyway.

rob.hardy1 wrote:I am a worrywart

Hope its not catching Rob.
But I agree on having a recovery service for back up especially in this area with such niceties as the M1 & M25 and heavy local traffic.