Morris Minor Owners Club

Hello

Just had MOT report for our 1968 2 door saloon. It's not good - 'excessive corrosion to all mount areas'. Our local garage (who aren't interested in old cars) have told us to scrap it! The estimated cost to weld everything up is around £1000.

Our question is this: Is there anyone local to us (South Somerset, East Devon, West Dorset - we live near Chard) who would take our moggy on as a medium term restoration project? We would be willing to pay perhaps on a monthly basis as each bit of work is carried out.

This is maybe a slightly unusual request but thought we'd give it a try!

Simon & Jayne

Hi,

Firstly, I'd consider getting a couple more quotes for the work. If you've got just one estimate, from a garage that are not used to working on classic cars, they may have over estimated the amount of work required or may not even want the job. Even if they haven't over estimated, it's always worth getting a few quotes for work as labour charges can vary.

Secondly, I suggest that you contact your local MMOC branch. Members there should be able to recommend a 'Minor friendly' garage or welder in your area who will hopefully be able to provide you with an honest appraisal of what needs doing.

I'm not too sure where your nearest branch is but here's contact details of the Dorset branch:

http://www.dorsetmmoc.co.uk/

The Somerset branch contact is Elaine Merick - Reed: elainemr (at) talk21 (dot) com

The Devon branch contact is Nickie Tilley: nickie (at) amoslighting (dot) co (dot) uk

There may also be members on here local to you who can advise / help. Good luck!

(ps: I deleted your post in the 'wanted' forum as it is identical to this one and it can cause confusion to have two threads running at the same time with the same topic)

The garage really should specify what mounting areas are excessively corroded, which will give you a better idea of what actually needs doing. If literally all MOT-relevant mounting points are rotten, then £1000 would not be enough to cover the amount of work required to replace everything properly.

If the mechanic you took it to isn't interested in classic vehicles, I'd take your custom elsewhere. Ideally get someone who is familiar with or specialises in Minors to have a look over it, as they will be well acquainted with all the rot-spots.

Simon and Jayne. you have a PM

shame i ant down that way or you was up here i would gave you a hand and helped out cheap very cheap

Simon and Jayne
If you have tried to contact me with on answer, then leave a message on the forum. I am about 10 miles from you and can possibly help you out.
steve

the other bloke is john in mosterton, if you PM i will get you his number, he specialises in Moggeys and is ex sussex minors i think

Contact your local MMOC branch, there will be someone in the club who does work for other members! If I was in your area I could possibly help you out.

Best to get the car restored properly with new spring hanger sections rather than just patch it up for the MOT!