Morris Minor Owners Club

My son is thinking about buying a Traveller which is an mot failure. Unfortunately he's living in Scotland, so I'm not much help down here in Wales.
I'd like an idea of the work and price involved for the following information from the seller:

Work needed on NSR and OSF brakes due to binding / N/S handbrake linkage seized inside brake drum.
Needs some work on chassis: NS outrigger + hole in OSF of chassis near suspension and hole in NSR of chassis near spring hanger.

It's the welding that I'm more concerned about. Of course it doesn't help there are no photographs or what amount of welding is needed. But I thought that perhaps those with experience of welding minors will have a good idea of what's required.

cheers,
Iddy

There is not a "chassis" on a standard Traveller, nor is there an "outrigger". However, if I interprett "outrigger" to be crossmember, then its quite a big job. Front and rear chassis I would guess at being the chassis leg and the rear spring mounting. Both can also be quite in depth as far as work to remedy is concerned. A garage will charge a lot for this work, however, doing it yourself would be cheaper but still looking at £100 + for panels.....

Yes, a garage will charge a lot to have all this done properly, i.e. cut out the rust and weld new panels in. The trouble is, once you start cutting in these areas, inevitably more rust is found, so areas around these panels might need work too. It can quickly snowball into a full scale restoration!

The cheap way of getting the car MOT'd, i.e. just patch over the rust, might last only a few years before the rust comes through again.

Mmmm......

That's what I'm concerned about.
Also, with no mot he can't take it to a garage for some quotes before he buys. Plus he doesn't know anyone who could give him an idea of the work needed to be done.

Thanks for the info lads,
Iddy

Whereabouts in Scotland is your son based? We may have board members in his area who could cast an eye over the car to give him an idea of what work needs doing and perhaps suggest a local garage/welder for the work. Could I suggest you post a "Help" in the wanted section of this Board?

It sounds like a LOT of welding - as others have suggested - the ones listed will just be the tip of the Iceberg. If it's anywhere near me - I could have a look at it.

If your son wants a project to work on for the next few years and will be doing the welding himself, then I'd say go for it. But if he wants a car that will be on the road quickly then he should look elsewhere and leave this car to an enthusiast restorer.

HAs he joined his local branch of the MMOC?? This should be the first port of call for anyone contemplating Minor ownership. Good advicve and cars for sale at local branches.

The car is in Bettyhill, Sutherland. The photo's he's sent to me show a car in pretty good condition, unfortunately they only show exterior views.
He's looking to buy and drive - his mechanical skills are only basic at the moment.

cheers,
Iddy

I seen this advertised locally but Bettyhill is quite far from anywhere unless your son lives close to Betthill or has an overwhelming desire to have this particular car I would suggest he keeps looking as it doesn't sound as if he has the skills required to return it to the road and the costs of repairs will quite high if done to a good standard with the correct repair panels and parts.

It's a wee bit far for me - and indeed everyone else in Scotland! I agree - AVOID!

Too far for me too, but i'd agree with what others say. Unless you have deep pockets I would say that any Classic car is a gamble if you can't do the work yourself.

Pete

well i cant weld and i have had many vans and pick ups and no problems with someone to weld for me
and i dont have deep pockets either

Thanks Lads,

He lives half a week in Inverness and half a week in Wick. Then spends most weekends in Durness, where he found this car on his travelings.
I agree with your comments and shall advise him accordingly. I'm going up in May for a week to stay, so if it's still there I shall have a good poke about!

Cheers,
Iddy

Bettyhill - when the world was flat you fell off the edge up their . There are bound to be other Minors around needing less work. At least with a current MOT. Decent cars are out their it just takes a little time and has been stated elsewhere there is probably no one close enough to help.

Purchase price is also a consideration. Additionally the condition of the woodwork. It will cost £1000 just to buy replacement wood, before you get someone to fit it, so if the wood is good the car could well be viable for the right price*

* = less than £500.00