Morris Minor Owners Club

Firstly, hello.

Secondly, I’m after a bit of advice. I’ve always liked Morris Minors (my Grandad had several) and I have always said if I ever got a car it would be an older more classic car than those made today. A Minor fits the bill and at not too expensive a price.

If anyone could give me some advice on the following questions, I would much appreciate it:

1. I passed my driving test about 10 years ago. I have never driven a car since. Is a minor hard going for somebody not used to driving?

2. I live in Sheffield and have about £1500 to spend. Firstly is this realistic, and secondly are there likely to be cars in my price bracket in my area coming onto the market fairly regularly?

3. I know nothing about cars! I don’t really know anybody that does. I have read about the rust problems etc. and my concern would be I would buy something that looks ok but could be a drain on the bank account further down the line. Is there any reputable dealers? Or is it all individual sellers?

Thanks in advance. I hope to post on a semi, if not regular basis.

Wonderful to see n00bs on here! I was once in roughly your position, so I think I can help.

First, having not driven in so long, you probably want to borrow a (manual-transmissioned) car for maybe two or three weeks, driving it a few miles every day. To pass my driving test in Missouri, USA, I had to drive for 40 total hours -- took roughly two weeks. That's a pain, but I highly recommend at least 15 total. As much as you think you need. Morris Minors make a good first car to own, but perhaps shouldn't be trained in...at least not the basics. Learning the gearbox in the Minor could be a problem if your gearbox isn't quite up to par, but mine is all right and I'm learning in it. Whatever floats your boat.

Second -- as I'm in the States, can't tell you about Sheffield, but I bought my '59 two-door, in good condition, for the equivalent of £2100. £1500 is probably a fair price for one that's a bit more beaten up.

Third. If you know next to nothing about cars, and about Minors, what you'll want to do is find a local Minor enthusiast who's got lots of experience and knows lots about them, and bring them with you. If (for some weird reason -- they seem to be everywhere in Britain) you can't find one, get in touch with your local MMOC branch manager. There's a list of the branches somewhere on this site.
If that doesn't work out, and I can't see why it wouldn't, obtain Lindsay Porter's Restoration Manual -- an Amazon link is at the books page here: http://www.mmoc.org.uk/viewtopic.php?f=12&t=12197. There are many who dislike Mr Porter's book, but it's got the only buyer's guide I've found, and it's quite thorough. Of course, once you obtain your Minor, it's essential to at least get the Haynes Workshop Manual, which is invaluable as a newbie learning tool. Shows you most big stuff about the Minor. Mr Tyler's book is highly recommended, but I myself have yet to obtain it.
So far as I know -- and understand my knowledge of Britain is somewhat limited by not being there -- Morris Minors aren't available from dealers anymore, or if they are, they'll be fully-restored show cars that'll cost six or eight thousand pounds. It's certainly true of America that they're only available from private sellers.
They're ALL drains on bank accounts down the line. If only because they'll age...if you want to keep something in good shape for, say, a century, you'll have to spend a lot on it over its lifetime.

Finally, if you're really up a creek with anything about your Minor, including purchasing, peruse this site! It really is the best resource out there (if a little chaotic ) for Minor enthusiasts. If you have a question, post it up, and the informed members will usually have a good answer. I'll do my best to help, too.
Try and post as regularly as you can, because if you're doing something wrong and you tell us, we'll usually catch it. I heartily endorse making a restoration project page of your own, as you learn a lot about the car -- I learned I have the wrong seats and a rear axle that's five years too early!

I wish you lots of luck -- and know that, for all their faults, Minors remain one of the funnest cars to drive (and to restore)! Don't be put off by all the stuff I've said!

10 years is rather a long time, some driving schools do refresher courses which would be a good idea for you to get your confidence in your driving again.
Local branch is a good idea too.
I'll put in a recommendation for the Ladybird "How it Works" The Motor Car book.

An excellent book to get an understanding about older cars is the AA Book of the Car, written in a time when the cars were new.
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Book-Marcus-Amr ... 192&sr=8-2
I got mine for 20p from a car boot sale.

Thanks for the warm welcome and the hints.

Where I live the roads are pretty quiet and I'm sure I can badger a mate into letting me bash his car about a bit. I'm not perhaps as much a novice as I made out regards engines etc. Cars yes, but I have been into my scooters for a number of years, so I reckon I can get my head around the basics.

Thanks again, BF.

boyface wrote:1. I passed my driving test about 10 years ago. I have never driven a car since. Is a minor hard going for somebody not used to driving?

No, not really. Driving instructors used them back in the sixties.

2. I live in Sheffield and have about £1500 to spend. Firstly is this realistic, and secondly are there likely to be cars in my price bracket in my area coming onto the market fairly regularly?

It depends what you want. You should be able to get a fairly reasonable 2-door saloon for that price.

3. I know nothing about cars! I don’t really know anybody that does. I have read about the rust problems etc. and my concern would be I would buy something that looks ok but could be a drain on the bank account further down the line. Is there any reputable dealers? Or is it all individual sellers?

There are reputable dealers and also less reputable ones (who we aren't allowed to name on the forum). There's a dealer in Manchester, the Morris Minor Millennium Company, though I've not had any dealings with them myself.
http://www.morrisminorworld.com/

You'll usually pay more to a dealer than you could buy the same car for privately, though they should offer you some kind of limited warranty. I'd recommend having an expert look over any car you are thinking of buying, even if it's from a dealer.

Hi there,
It might be a good idea to go to the Morris Minor National rally June 26th & 27th 100's of cars there & some for sale
here' s the link http://www.mmoc.org.uk/viewtopic.php?f= ... 95#p312320
it's at ..............
Harewood House Trust, Harewood House,
Harewood, Leeds,
LS17 9LG

The thing to note about running any classic car is that they need looking after. After you have found the bonnet release catch you need to find things like dip sticks, grease nipples and brake adjusters which all need regular attention. When you have blown your hard earned cash on something that is going to stand a chance of completing a two way journey from your house and back you need to spend a few hours peering at all the unfamiliar things under the bonnet then trying to identify them and their function in the workshop manual which you are also going to buy.

Minors are no more expensive to run than any other car and considerably less expensive than most. e.g. tyres about £30 each compared to my wife's Alfa £150. Many repairs are cheaper on the Minor 'cos you can replace parts not just assemblies.
It does help if you are mechanically minded as everything you DIY saves you money. Do a lot of research before you buy your local club branch should be able to help plus someone on here knows everything about Minors

Everyone seems to forget about Ray Newll's book 'The Essential Buyers Guide'

Buy one they are fun!

But - they do rust like mad if you get them wet.........

If you're prepared to get filthy every 6 months to keep rust at bay.....

put it up on ramps, with the aid of a scraper and wire brush clean the underside and then paint with 2 coats of clean/new engine oil.....have the g/box cover up and clean and paint oil liberally inside the front chassis members, same goes for the kick plates and everything else that can come off....(don't recommend the wings)..certainly oil the fixing bolts just in case the wings do need to be replaced....

I've had my Minor since 1985, although solid when I bought it, its underside is as solid as it was 25 years ago!

All down to engine oil....shimples!!!

Certainly take someone along if you're viewing a Minor, advise you to contact your local Minor club as I'm sure there'll be a member willing to help!

POMMReg

Alternatively buy a Minor that constantly drips oil from the back of the engine and this will save you having to grovel under the middle of the car. It is known as chassis lubrication.

mike.perry wrote:The thing to note about running any classic car is that they need looking after. After you have found the bonnet release catch you need to find things like dip sticks, grease nipples and brake adjusters which all need regular attention.

In my experience any older car you buy, especially privately, has things wrong with it. During the first few months you find out all the things that the seller had problems with, couldn't fix, bodged or ignored. This is normal and would happen with a 10 year old Astra or a 40 year old moggie. The benefit of the Minor is that it's far easier to fix yourself and the parts are cheap.

I've just got my engine working again and my indicators have packed up - so I may have to stick my arm out of the window for a few days, it's not a big problem. There's only one day a year when most things have to be working and that's MOT day

You will need tools, remember. Ramps, old spanners and sockets, trolley jack etc - so factor that in to your budget.

1/4ww,5/16ww,7/16 bsf a must!!!

Quote There are reputable dealers and also less reputable ones (who we aren't allowed to name on the forum). There's a dealer in Manchester, the Morris Minor Millennium Company, though I've not had any dealings with them myself.
http://www.morrisminorworld.com/

Hi
Earlier this year I bought my first minor from The Minor Millenium Company in Manchester and what a fantastic experience it was, I think you will have to pay a liitle more than your budget to get a good usuable daily runner and alot more if you want a showable car. Martin and Paul at Millenium are great to deal with, I recieved a 12 month no quibble guarantee covering absolutly everything, wearing parts, chassis, full ashtrays ....the lot and next years MOT was also included. Now whether this was just down to my car or it's for every Minor they sell I can't say, but the experience of looking around their garage was worth the trip, think Heartbeat but with modern equipmentand you'll get the picture. Give them a call, I don't think that you will be dissapointed.

We have just returned form a 800 mile round trip to France without missing a beat.

welcome! and id definatly get a minor iv had 3 cars 2 fiestas and a saab 900 turbo but nothing compares to the classic morris! there easy to drive only require basic maintainence and when they do go wrong there cheap enough to fix and if you do get stuck everyone will help like they have me!
pat

Hi and welcome!

I learnt to drive in a Moggie 6 years ago. Then she had to go to that place in the sky and I drove my new one recently after about 5 years of not driving one. I think I found it easier to drive initially when I was learning than when I went back after driving my very easy to drive Passat. But after 5 miles or so it all settled down and it was back to the joys. So it's down to you really and if you're comfortable to give it a go.

My new addition, Rosie, was 600 squids with a 6 month MOT which was about the cheapest running mogster out there. When we got her home and stripped everything out there was a LOT of rust, sills, inner wings, floor, etc etc. I've now learnt to weld and spent a loooooong time welding her up! I'd recommend spending as much as you can afford but taking someone with you who can poke for rust etc. Mine was an eBay buy and was always going to be a resto/full respray so I wasn't too worried (specially with a well trained boyfriend who is a metal fabricator/grease monkey).

Good luck!