Morris Minor Owners Club

hI............I'm a recent recruit to the Moggy family(I've been a 60's Cooper man for years) but since I'm now the custodian of a 1953 Splitscreen Van,Ithought I'd see if there are any likeminded souls down here in good old Cornwall.The thing that's worrying me most at the moment is the seemingly endless number of Moggies being stolen,or is it just a tiny proportion of the total Moggy population,but getting a lot of prominence.I must say my heart goes out to all of the long term owners who lose their 'babies'.I won't be taking my eyes off mine.
So..........anyone down here,please feel free to give me a shout......

There are very few '53 vans around. Have you contacted Russell Harvey who runs the LCV Register? His email is editor@minormonthly.co.uk

Not yet................Thanks for the advice ,I shall contact him A.S.A.P...Cheers.

Nice to see such an early van. I read somwhere that minors are number 2 on the list of favourite classics to steal. I've forgotten which is number 1.

Hi David,

I am in the South but other side to you. Lovely looking van, I have a 71 which is lurking somewhere on the restoration thread and in somewhat less roadworthy condition to yours!

Welcome to the "club".

Ian

Welcome to the messageboard Dave

mike.perry wrote:There are very few '53 vans around

Yes, only 6 were registered with the DVLA last year as being taxed or on SORN.

SGTBILKO wrote:I read somwhere that minors are number 2 on the list of favourite classics to steal. I've forgotten which is number 1.

A Classic Car Weekly article last year stated that Land Rovers were the most stolen classics with Minors second but I can't remember what statistics they used to come up with those results. I saw a similar survey elsewhere which said that VW campervans, Beetles and Nissan Sunny's were the top 3 stolen classics!

DAVE LOVELL wrote:The thing that's worrying me most at the moment is the seemingly endless number of Moggies being stolen,or is it just a tiny proportion of the total Moggy population,but getting a lot of prominence.

Well stolen Minors tend to get prominence here as it's a Minor site, and there are a couple of recent postings, but I can't say that I've noticed "seemingly endless numbers of Moggies being stolen". Some areas seem more prone to car thefts than others but that can apply to all types of cars, not just Minors. Thefts of classic cars tend to rise in the spring / summer months as more of them are on the road, and classic cars can be easier to break into than more modern ones, but there are various precautions you can take to reduce the chances of theft. It's obviously a good idea to take as many steps as you can to prevent theft, whatever car you drive (although not such a good idea to go into detail about methods on an internet forum).

DAVE LOVELL wrote:I'm now the custodian of a 1953 Splitscreen Van

From the looks of the van it is a 1954 model unless there are 2 that look identical about? I'm guessing your registration is V**7*7 maybe?
If so, i am a previous owner of it

Im in Trewellard ..St Just way...But just sold the Traveller and its off to Germany! Going back to Minis!! I Had a '63 997 Cooper back in the late '70s.....Theres also Surfer Girl they have a Moggie van in Truthall, Botallock

I'm Up in Devon, I have a couple of '53 vans so if I can be of help please feel free to get in touch. The van pictured is a '54 van which I also own. This is in very poor condition and is awaiting a full restoration. I am also restoring a '53 van for a customer.[frame][/frame]

HI from not so sunny North Cornwall. If you see me around in Rosie, you can't miss us! I'm glad there's a few from this end of the world on here!

Lorna

Thanks to all responders..I've sent private messages as required.......Cheers

I'm sorry, but I understand that it can only be called a 'Cornish' Splitscreen if it was made in Cornwall to the original recipe.

Have a look at the Mini site they are being stolen all the time cheap referbishment

RogerRust wrote:I'm sorry, but I understand that it can only be called a 'Cornish' Splitscreen if it was made in Cornwall to the original recipe.

How rirght you are......it should also be crimped down one side...........

I hope to get my van back on the road this summer so yours won't be the only one in west cornwall. Mine is a 1971 though.