Morris Minor Owners Club

Hi All
Seriously contemplating getting another Morris as soon as I've saved up enough... I've had my sights set on a very smart looking black 1953 cheesegrater grilled 2-door saloon, with a 948cc engine and matching gearbox. I've yet to visit it - but if it were as good as it is described and I were to buy it, what does the team think about using it as an every day driver?
Would this be out of order for a relatively rare car to be used in this way? Or should it be driven regularly come rain or shine? (That's what it was designed to do, lets face it!)
I'd be interested to hear peoples' views and see how they vote.
Thanks!
Dom

Your question is a bit Black and White.
I'd say any car benefits from regular use, doesn't have to be every day though.

MarkyB wrote:Your question is a bit Black and White.
I'd say any car benefits from regular use, doesn't have to be every day though.

That's the point I'm trying to get across - it would be used virtually every day.....

Keep it standard and waxoyl/dinitrol it regularly and it will be fine.

everything can be fixed

if you're happy to keep on top of the maintainance then go for it!

it's a bit sole destroying doing an oil change every 3 months. but it's worth it in the long run!

and as someone else mention. anything can be fixed!

it'd be sacrilege to have a nice rare classic car, and hide it away from the world. driving it around will improve the public profile of minors, and get as many people interested as possible! it's a public service!

Its only metal, use it and maintain as required.

Go ahead and buy it and use it!! I use my lowlight quite often, not everyday but I have no issues using it driving to work. The only thing with an older minor is lack of indicators as it would only have semaphores and people dont know to look for them. I felt unsafe especailly on the motorway were chances are you are doing 50-55 and trying to change lanes while others are doing 70+. Its a very simle job to add indicators positioned under the bumpers on brackets and you can make them work with the semaphores.

Use it... there are plenty of parts around to keep it going for many years to come. Just keep on top of the body work.

As I keep saying at branch meetings... "they're not garage ornaments, they're meant to be driven! They didn't come with a notice when new stating do not drive in adverse weather conditions, will melt in heavy rain" If it's lasted this long it'll last a few more years yet

Yes use it! Mine does 1000 miles a month, keep it waxoiled and maintained!

Whilst I am happy to use either of my two Minors almost every day, depending on the task involved, I would not claim that it was the most suitable or comfortable car for hacking up and down the motorway every day

as you have a 948 engine already.. considwer it a normal Minor 1000 with a different windscreen...

I took my first SII saloon through Africa (54 4dr)
I currently using another 54 saloon every day.

One issue is the windscreen seal - reoplacing can be a nightmare and the 57 year old originals aren't liklely to seal very well.. Therefore if you can park out of the rain that's a great idea (e.g. car port).
Mine is out in all weathers but to avoid grit and salt blasting it, he was garaged over Winter. I have a boring practical modern car that is ideal for winter roads.
I have (in the past) driven my minors all year round, but without a decent waxoil coating in the sills and box sections etc.. they rust away pretty rapidly.

Its your money do what you want.

yes use it thats what they were designed for.

I know a couple of people who have vintage cars and use them everyday all year round.One has a 1920s Bentley and does at least 100,000 miles a year in it and has had 10 years without any problems.He does all his oil changes and everything him self.He has just clocked up a million miles in the Bentley and decided to strip the engine to check it over before moving abroad and nothing needed replacing.

morris van wrote:I know a couple of people who have vintage cars and use them everyday all year round.One has a 1920s Bentley and does at least 100,000 miles a year in it and has had 10 years without any problems.

I wouldn't fancy paying for his petrol!

Thanks everyone for all your input - fairly decisive response! Now to get the rest of the dosh together.......

i

Its already modified to be more practical with the 948 in it, so ideal for everday use (obviously depending on your daily run).
I commuted to a colledge course in Manchester from Sheffield for a while in a 1950 lowlight with no problems. Yes the sidevalve was rather steady climbing over the Pennines but going down the other side I could catch everyone who had passed me going up the hills! Great fun. Only had trafficators too, but then indicating in rush hour Manchester was like admitting a weakness... Ie no one did it if they could help it...
A 948 will feel like a rocketship in comparison and be well capable of keeping up with modern traffic.