Morris Minor Owners Club

Hello all.I am new here, and had been meaning to register,but the theft of my van has brought me here.

Dark green,(when it was stolen!) sign written "Folly Gardens Veterinary clinic"

1969 morris minor van.

POM 530 G

Not in the best condition,but much loved.My wife is heart-broken.<br><br>

Sorry to hear that.

Ditto. Would be quite easy to spot as it has silver rear wheels and cream front ones. I'm sure we'll all keep our eyes open.

Sorry to hear that.

We'll all be keeping our eyes open i'm sure

I noticed this has been featured in the local paper - I really hope someone spots it and informs the police. Seems strange to steal a van - why don't they go after the new new BMWs - maybe its because they are less likely to be caught in a Minor

and new BMWs are harder to nick.....

As are Minors if the fuel pump is isolated!
It's to be hoped this turns up ok - and doesn't get trashed. Certainly seems very unusual to steal a van !

Not being funny here BMC, but thats a pretty common thing to do and anyone with a bit of nous would be able to bypass it pretty quickly (thats not to say its not worth doing - will deter oppertunists etc!)

There are more effective ways to immobilse a minor

I'll keep an eyes out - I'm in gloucestershire half the time too.

Chelsea - at least your's isn't likely to be stolen - just a bit too conspicuous for the little buggers Hope you find it

I bet this van sadly didn't have the pump isolated! Very few 'opportunist' thieves will even think about (or know about) hot wiring a petrol pump - of course if it's professionals, then almost anything is a waste of time - they will drag it onto a trailer if needs be!
The beauty of the pump isolation is - the engine starts - the car moves a hundered yards or so - and then it conks out! The thieves have no idea why - the car has been moved and so is now 'obvious' - hopefully the thieves abandon the car and run away and don't start thumbing through Haynes to consider why the thing has stopped!

I don't think we should be airing our security ideas on a public site BMC you never know who might read this

The beauty of the pump isolation is - the engine starts - the car moves a hundered yards or so - and then it conks out

By that time it is on the back of a transporter!

Yes - if it's that serious an operation - nothing will save it!
I did say 'opportunist' - which implies no real planning ahead/transporter etc !

why can people leave things alone. they always have to destroy or nick something. not exactly a get away car is it.
i hope they find it.

yes unfortunately vans and pick ups are a greater risk element for being stolen

Thanks for all your support guys.The odd thing is that the vets was broken into the following evening.Hmmm.I spoke to Vetty and he told me that when he was selling the van he kept getting a lot of calls from one bloke who used several different names each time,and that this chap was known to come from the local Gipsy site.I'll leave you to form your own opinions......

That's really sad - if it was them I expect it will make it even more difficult to track it down. I'll keep fingers crossed anyway.

bmcecosse wrote:Yes - if it's that serious an operation - nothing will save it!
I did say 'opportunist' - which implies no real planning ahead/transporter etc !

That's exactly the point. It allows the crooks to get the car going, as they think and then when they are out on the road, in everyones' way it dies (And they panic). I remember some years ago, a retired couple were staying in the same hotel as me, in Austria. The husband had worked for Rootes but had owned a Mini. His Mini had an electric pump and it had been stolen on several occasions. On each it had been abandoned a short distance from where he had parked it, always with both doors left open.

How about a rifle barrel for a steering column......just remember to remove the bullet before you get in .

jonster wrote:Hello all.I am new here, and had been meaning to register,but the theft of my van has brought me here.

Dark green,(when it was stolen!) sign written "Folly Gardens Veterinary clinic"

1969 morris minor van.

POM 530 G

Not in the best condition,but much loved.My wife is heart-broken.<br><br>

90% sure this was the one I saw parked up the Back road to Beckford - certainly 2009!!!

(picked up an injured fox whilst delivering newspapers in the early hours and was returning from the Wildlife place!)

Van was parked (if memory serves me correctly) at the entrance to a field!

POMM Man