Morris Minor Owners Club

Not sure if it has been seen on here before but I came across this on another forum:-

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayI ... 0612898810

it has had a pinto auto fitted but the pictures are not very clear....
I am not sure having the Radiator next to the engine is ideal but I suppose it would work fine!

also not sure how real the auction description is either... Liza Minnelli's car?

$6,900 selling price is nice though!

Oh dear - it has the worst hub caps in the world and won't move because the brakes are seized on, so you can't test the engine/box - and it needs a fuel pump and a battery, so you can't even hope to start the engine........ and with that radiator I suspect it may run just a tad hot! It's a real bargain!! But to be fair, the body and trim don't look too bad - although no underside shots......

Ford Pinto!!! Probably too heavy for the car and not one of the best power trains to begin with. Besides, the conversion looks (from what little you can see) to be a bit sloppy. I don't know why people market cars like this without getting them running. A battery and a fuel pump is a quick job, and the brakes are probably not a big deal. Why would anyone spend that kind of money on something that won't run or move?

Is it wrong that I quite like the hubcaps?

Not the best choice for an engine conversion, but apart from the radiator it seems to fit in reasonably well, and no doubt the autobox will go down well with the Americans. The interior certainly looks lovely. $6900 is about £4400 which is steep by UK standards, but I'm guessing Minors go for more over there due to relative scarcity.

Hey, some of us Americans like manually shifting, although I do think we tend more toward needless luxury than pragmatic functionality. I'm prepping my new (to me) MM1000 as a daily driver.

Wasn't intended as a criticism, just an observation/generalisation! I could do with an autobox at the moment - might mean I could actually drive

I wonder what size Pinto is fitted - some of the smaller ones are barely any more powerful than a decent 1275 A-Series.

I suppose getting hold of a pinto in the USA is easier than getting hold of any "A" series?

Robedney -- kudos and agreement from me. Nevertheless there are advantages to an automatic transmission...for instance, it'd be much easier to drive if you have a non-functioning right arm (or left if you're in a RHD country) if you didn't have to shift up. Also easier if you had a debilitated left foot.

Pintos are seemingly more common over here, although the MG/AH Spridgets were very popular here, and their powerplants often end up in Minors (for instance, my Mog's 948cc came out of an MG Midget, I imagine when the original engine gave out).

Also, don't Pintos have an odd tendency to explode or something? I seem to recall they were unsafe for some reason.

Fingolfin wrote:Also, don't Pintos have an odd tendency to explode or something? I seem to recall they were unsafe for some reason.

only when rear ended because of the location of the fuel tank, so that engine in that car ought to be ok ;)

This was a good buy here in the U.S. for someone here who wanted a great daily driver. The 70s Ford Pinto motors were bulletproof and the cars were exceptionally reliable at a time when so many other weren't. It was only because of location of the gas tank that any controversy was generated. Had a roommate (flatmate) with a '72 Pinto in the late 70s and he had no mechanical issues despite the high mileage and proactive lack of regular service. He had a 1600 in it, and it drove strong.

That being said, would love to have seen better pix as to how it was installed. Our older Morris' are still under the radar for the bulk of U.S. car collectors, so good deals can be had.

Of course, due to the shabby U.S. dollar, you Brits can make out like bandits over here anyway .Pretty much things that cost ₤1 is the UK cost $1 here. This is what I hear from my UK guests.

I have an Datsun B210 automatic in my little truck and because of my height (6'2") a manual shift would have been hard for me to operate. The biggest advantage of the Ford trannie would be, like the Datsun's, better gear ratio for our high speed highways. The only thing that holds me back for going above 70MPH is the original rear end ;-)

As far as cooling goes if using a Moggie radiator - as long as the motor was positioned at proper height to maximize cooling, I don't see a problem, especially if it were an original radiator. My 1400 Datsun motor sits lower, uses a Moggie radiator and only is pulling about 60% due to fan position. Car runs properly cool (180° with thermostat), even in Southern California climate. (70s, 80s, 90s and <gasp>100s).

Just noticed that odd radiator setup. I can see this being done if the motor were too long to fit. Assuming that if it was channelled properly, it could work. This had to have been tested.
More curious about it only having UK plates. Was the conversion done in the UK with the Euro "Pinto" motor? UK climes would be more forgiving for less cooling power. Liza has the money for this sort of impulse buy, whether she drove it or not.