Morris Minor Owners Club

Hello everyone,

This is my first post and my first Morris Minor. I purchased Myrtle yesterday. She is an almond green Morris Minor 1000, 4 door saloon. She had a restoration in March this year. I was quite nervous when I purchased her that I wouldn't be able to drive her (I've been driving a Vauxhall Corsa) but I took to her quite well! I found it rather fun! There were a couple of things I couldn't get used to like stopping for 1st gear and the pedals being close together and the drum brakes! I'm planning on using her at least 3-4 times a week for my commute to work (20 miles round trip). But to make myself feel even more comfortable driving her I think there a couple of alterations I need to make.

Firstly, the wing mirrors. At the moment Myrtle has the Lucas mirrors. I feel that these are more for show than actual use. I've seen that you can drill holds and fit more modern wing mirrors or I've seen the clip on ones. Are the clip on ones any good?

Also, the brakes. I really can't get used to the fade. I know the car had new drum brakes but they don't seem to be very good (perhaps because I'm used to modern disc brakes). I've seen that I could get a servo fitted but heard they don't make much difference. For modern day traffic and commuting are disc brakes the way forward? I don't want to have to change the wheels.

I'm going to be honest with you, I'm 29 and no absolutely nothing about cars but I'm eager and willing to learn.

I wouldn't be looking to taking on the brake job myself. I'm living in Stamford, Lincolnshire. Does anybody know of a decent garage or individual who would take on this job or give me a bit more advice. I have signed up as a member but don't get my membership for about 2-3 weeks in post.

All help, information will be welcomed

I need a picnic hamper too do go on the back rack! (can be an empty one)

Many thanks,

Laura.

Hello and welcome.

The new brakes probably need time to bed in after which they should get better, but you'll have to get used to planning ahead and giving plenty of time to stop.

It's ok you don't know much about cars, you will learn, but the main thing to remember is check the oil all the time and fill it up with 20/50, and check the other basic stuff like fluid levels, tyres etc (btw the brake master cylinder is under the driver's carpet and the fluid level should be just at the bottom of the filler neck).

Thanks for that!

I know what you mean about having to prepare and think ahead with the brakes. I had to start breaking half way along the road before I got to the junction! (probably 50 metres!) I don't think it's a bad thing though to plan ahead. I am just concerned that If I had to brake suddenly, I wouldn't stand a chance! I think I would feel a lot confident with a more modern braking system. Apart from that I love it! I'm going to get some very strong arm muscles from the parking!

xlollx wrote:Thanks for that!

I know what you mean about having to prepare and think ahead with the brakes. I had to start breaking half way along the road before I got to the junction! (probably 50 metres!) I don't think it's a bad thing though to plan ahead. I am just concerned that If I had to brake suddenly, I wouldn't stand a chance! I think I would feel a lot confident with a more modern braking system. Apart from that I love it! I'm going to get some very strong arm muscles from the parking!

Id give yourself a bit of a chance with the drum brakes, as I too at first, could not get used to them. You do however in the end. If you keep your distance, (which you will have to learn lol) youll be fine.

And believe me, if you need to do an emergency brake, if you press down at your hardest, THEYRE PRETTY EFFECTIVE! (from personal experience)

If the brakes ae correctly adjusted they should stop the car, you may need to stand on the pedal and bend the steering wheel but you will get used to it, I have managed to avoid running into the back of anything for 35 years with 7in brakes.
And get yourself a proper BMC Workshop Manual and read it in bed instead of story books

and don't forget the crayons

welcome to the world of the moggie

Welcome to the forum. As others have suggested - the brakes should be fine if in good order. They should lock the tyres on a dry road at 20 mph. Later cars had upgraded 8" front brakes - so if you have the earlier 7" brakes, an upgrade to the 8" drums will help considerably. To have disc brakes fitted at a 'garage' will cost ~ £1000. So try hard to get used to the brakes......and a servo does reduce the leg power needed - but DOES NOT improve the power of the brakes. Your car probably has radial tyres - these need to be blown up to 30 psi (more if carrying a load) - and the steering should then be perfectly manageable. I find the wing mounted mirrors to be excellent - I can see what's behind without moving my focus from the road ahead.

Thank you for all of your tips/advice. I think the best thing for me to do is take it to a garage and get a good service done on it (to check brakes etc). I have the original owners manual so I'll change my bed time read to that. Once I know what i'm doing and what to check etc I shall be fine.

My partner drove Myrtle today from Stamford to Peterborough down the A1 and through the city centre with no problems.

The brakes, wing mirrors are probably things I just need to get used to.

Lambretta Lad - I take it you are a Lambretta enthusiast. I also have a 1962 Lambretta li 125.

Ref mirrors, it is personal choice whether you have wing or door mirrors but make sure that they are convex glass, flat glass is almost useless

Hi Laura
Welcome to the site.
As others have said, keep trying with the drums, they are very good when bedded in (I've just completely renewed mine, removing a wheezy servo, and they are poor for the first 20 - 30 miles but do get better quickly) Well maintained they are absolutely fine.
Mirrors, on my previous Morris I had round convex glass Lucas types that I fitted into the little chrome triangle in front of the quarter light glass. This worked very well for me. So well in fact that I have just ordered some for my current Morris from a reliable supplier on ebay, the usual major suppliers being out of stock. The ebay listing number is 170363909589, I've bought from him quite a few times, very reliable chap.
We might still have a suitable picnic basket that came with our Morris, If I can find it you can have it for the cost of the postage, so send a private message with your address details if you want it.
Dom

beware taking it to 'any old garage' - they probably have no idea about Minors and may do unnecessary work/rip you off horribly..... Ask advice on here for a good place local to you.

Yeah, I'm not keen on taking it to any garage. It's had work done on it at Finedon which is a classic car garage. Someone on the forum has given me the contact details of a garage in Spilsby, Lincolnshire which is owned by morris minor club members. I was hoping there would be somewhere closer to Stamford/Peterborough but haven't found anywhere yet. I really need someone to spend an hour with me and show me general maintenance.

If you are in Peterborough have you thought about BL day? Plenty of enthusiasts there I'm sure would be willing to help/teach you the basics.

Dont forget though that you dont always have to take it to a classic car specialist though. Many of these older 'any old garages' have probably years and years of experience working on Minors, as they were the most common car in Britain.

In fact, the Minor was probably the first car an older mechanic probably ever worked on.

hi
62 lammy eh late mark 11 or early mark 111 ?

show us a pic,this links to mine as it was last year before I modded it up

http://www.mmoc.org.uk/viewtopic.php?f= ... lit=mopeds