Morris Minor Owners Club

Hi All,

My 1967 Morris 1000 is pretty much finished(as much as they are ever finished) so I am now looking at the next project. I would like to create a Morris Minor for the historic rally scene, along the lines of the Morris 1000 that Pat Moss rallied in the late 1950's. A category 1 car can be up to December 1967, so I realise that that is much later than the Morris 1000 was still being rallied. But were there any accepted upgrades to the rally Minor or was it exactly as it was when it rolled off the production lines? I am having difficulty establishing the exact technical specifications for such a car. I can modify the car as long as I can prove the changes are period.

I seem to recall that British Leylands competitions department did put a 1275 unit into a Minor, but I can't find the details of that either or even when that was. Can you help? Thanks, Rob.

You can probably do a lot of internal work on the engine to improve its breathing as long as it looks standard. I would think that fitting a larger capacity block, especially one that was not in production at the time would be outside the rules.

Hi Rob I have not come across any reference to the BMC competitions department using the 1275cc in the Moggie and it was only introduced in late 1966 for the midget so I think that will probably be out of the question, but the earlier 1098cc Midget engine with the larger crank with the 10cc designation could be a possibility but these are rather rare blocks to get hold of.
As you know the Pat Moss car was a 948cc engine and really only used in 1957-58 by BMC as a rally car and she even used an A40 a bit later on but still with the 948cc engine and others of course used the A35.
Does it have to be to BMC rally prepared spec or just period rally spec as there were others that rallied the later 1098cc engined cars.

I suggest you have a thorough read here;
http://www.hrct.co.uk/
Historic Cars may be used for competitions under a set of rules that preserve the specification of their period and prevent modifications of performance and behaviour which could arise through the application of modern technology. Historic competition is not simply another formula in which to acquire trophies, it is a discipline apart,, in which one of the essential ingredients is a devotion to the cars and to their history. Historic Motor Sport enables the active celebration of the History of the Motor Car”.

My guess is that a 948 will turn out to be a lot more tunable and thrashable than a 1098 or a 1275.

I doubt the 1275 will be allowed! Or disc brakes - but the bigger W drums may very well be allowed - I certainly used them in my Rally Minor in the 60s if that's any help! And - you will need a sump guard and I strongly recommend an oil cooler. And of course - remove the hub caps! [frame][/frame][frame][/frame]

I hope you have deep pockets!
Wouldn't you be racing against Minis in that class?

There is an interesting mod on the midget vehicle page;[frame][/frame]

They don't even list the Minor on that site but here are the class 1 Mini specs;
Category 1. Mini
Historic Mini


Permitted modifications supported by documented evidence.

Engine.

850, 997, 970, 998, 1071, 1098, 1275.

Due to the shortage of Mini Cooper 'S' blocks the following will be allowed from 1st January 2002. The Solid tappet chest 1275GT block (Not "A" Plus)

12G940 casting cylinder heads.

Carburation.

Single Weber or Delorto. Split Weber configuration allowed. Twin 1.25, 1.5, 1.75 S U's (Not later H I F type)

Gearbox.

Three or Four syncromesh. Straight cut gears.
Limited slip differential. Straight cut drop gears. (Not Timken type)

Electrics.
The starter motor must be of the inertia type. NOT pre engaged. The period modification was to fit a 10 tooth pinion as opposed to the 9, this gave a greater turn speed of the engine.

Distributor.
The distributor must use points and condenser. NOT electronic.

Brakes.

Front. Minifin brake drums. Solid 7.5inch brake disc. Rear: Minifin brake drums.

Tandem master cylinder. Adjustable brake pedal box. As long as it cannot be adjusted by driver or navigator when normally seated.

Suspension.

Front. Adjustable Hi Lo's. Solid negative camber bottom arms. Adjustable tie bars. (Not rose joints) Rear. Adjustable Hi Lo's. Non adjustable camber brackets.

Wheels and Tyres.

Ten inch wheels and tyres can be used.

General.

Doors. External hinges, Alloy doors or skins. Original type window. (2 piece sliding)

Fibre glass bonnet or boot lid. Perspex side windows

Twin steel petrol tanks.

They don't even list the Minor on that site

They seem to also be missing the A35, A40, Riley 1.5, Wolsley 1500, Ford Consul & Zodiac, MG Magnet etc seems to be that site is really only for mid sixties onwards with no info on earlier cars.

Thank you all for the information! , much appreciated. I was'nt being ignorant in not responding! I posted the topic a day before we lost our internet connection and then we were away for a couple of weeks! Still no connection at home so this is thanks to a friends pc. I may pick your brains later!

Hi I am looking to restore my late fathers 1965 1098 for rally, did you make any progress on finding what could and couldn’t be done!

Who ever is running the rally series you intend to get involved with will have issued a set of rules as regards what you can and cannot do as regards modifying the car.
My own modified Minor has to conform with the MSA Modified Production car regulations which are set out in the MSA Blue Book.
My Minor also had to be inspected by a MSA technical scrutineer to ensure that it complied and as it did it was given its own Motor Sport Log Book.
Dependent upon what you decide your car will fall somewhere between just requiring a MOT and the requirement of a MSA Log Book.
I would suggest you decide what club you want to rally under (must be MSA recognised), join it and follow their advice. Also purchase a MSA Blue Book and read it very carefully - as sometimes doing one thing falls foul of something else.
The Cars and Cars Conversions book 'Tuning BMC Sports Cars' by Mike Garton 1969 is good to have as also are the BMC Special Tuning pamphlets which whilst covering in the main the BMC Midget/Sprite (all variants) can be cross referenced/utilised for the Minor.
If you want any information or advice as regards tuning or modifying the 'A' Series and Minor please come back to me.
Good luck and a Happy New Year.
Phil