Morris Minor Owners Club

[[/b][/b]Hello all, allow me to intoduce myself, Im Anthony and although I dont own a minor yet, it seems ive come to the right place to ask a few questions

So im seeking a project vehicle and gave pretty much decided on a minor, ive got a potential lined up to have a look at in the week.Its very much at the right price, and its faily origional in that its all there, freshly out of some barn having been laid up on failing an mot many years (decades more likley) on rot. This would scare most but im new to mig welding hence the need for another project to hone my skills.
Ive no issues with mechanics on a classic motor ( got old landys an vw camper).

My first issue/question is theres no V5C, it was lost many years ago it seems. Will it be possible to get a logbook in my name if i purchase it and if so how hard will it be? (Done a plate check not recorded as stolen). The current keeper has a green slip. Also in this where would I find the vin/chassis number stamped.

Second question are quality parts for these motors still readily available at realistic prices? ( Emphasis on quality, I always have problems with aftermarket parts on my landy)

Also how about repair panels for common rust spots?

Finaly are minor upgrades common and easy, nothing drastic, stuff like heated screens, performance tweaks to standard engine for a few more horses,electronic ignition,alternator, maybe bigger brakes or disks, thats about all really as would like it to look/feel not to far from standard. Just small stuff to make it more comfortable/useable.

Thanks in advance and if I do go shead and buy one ill be sure to sign up (seems a wealth of knowledge here) and post pics.

Welcome to the forum. Make sure you survey the vehicle thoroughly before buying to make sure it is recoverable at economic cost - in parts and your time. Virtually all underside parts are available - costs vary - as does fit..... Parts are all available - again some are better than others. If you have the Reg number - you can apply for a V5C at DVLA. The chassis number should be on a plate on the bulkhead under the bonnet - near the Regulator box.

Dont buy the first you see as there are a lot of good ones about especially on here

Cheers guys, well ive not been put off by anything ive heard yet

Had a scan through the for sale section but nowt local to me within budget (very tight). I know im meant to buy the best i can afford but i really am after a project, (not something I can have mot'd within a month) to keep me busy/ interested. That said i might regret saying that in a few months!

Thanks for the replys and I shall keep you informed

Well ive only gone and done it, the project is paid for and is home. Pics to follow...
Really dunno what I was thinking ;-)

Mulli wrote:Well ive only gone and done it, the project is paid for and is home. Pics to follow...
Really dunno what I was thinking ;-)

hi.. and welcome

we all like to see photo's

Didnt get a chance to take pics it got dark whilst i played about with engine, last on the toad in 98 been laid up since then, fresh battery fresh fuel, cleaned points and plugs ah presto, sounds like a right beuty, shame about all the rot ha ha

Open up a project thread in the restoration section. All questions get answered.

Be great to see some photos... lol

As promised (sorry about the quality, will put more up in restoration section when i eventually get started)

So here it is project rust bucket Its a real wreck but hoping I can save it (A big ask I think.... )

I know you say you have old cars so you know what you could be letting yourself in for but thought you might find my story interesting to read. Started out as my £900 bargin.....
Heres the link

http://www.mmoc.org.uk/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=53507

Ha ha I had read your story already before I parted with my money. Ive made the mistake before of paying out too much on cars (that vw camper behind the mog). Wont be making that mistake again.

My car was a lot cheaper than yours and i will most definatley need a lot more work than yours. Luckily I can do 99% of the work myself. Ive yet to do a full structual survey, as most my cash will be on fresh steel to weld in. I will be pricing up all the repair panels and parts beforehand and if it all adds up to too much the car will be broken for spares and scrap (unfortunatly) before I reach negative equity.
This cars only saving grace is the engine is sweet. I see that was a big outlay for you.

How is your motor now? I Hope you dont loose to much faith with yours, plenty of fellow enthusiast about to keep costs down, I learned that with my landys,saved me a fortune over the years..

unles you are very lucky most moggies around the 1k mark will need lots of money thrown at it, more if used as a daily driver
if you have to farm out the work, and if you have to , you do not allways get good work done from minor specialists so be warned
repro parts are crap so look out for new old stock or good used old parts
even something simple like fiting an exhaust can be a nightmare as the quality of the fit is horrendous
normally repro chrome only lasts one winter
you allways need to keep a few spares if used daily

and the maintenance on a cold frosty winter morning
keeping rust at bay will allways be a problem if kept outside
ok if kept for shows and occasional use

if you have a good one then depreciation is none or very small against a modern, so long as you don't spend to much money on repairs etc
most moggies are bought just for shows and if kept dry then no problems
every day ones are a different picture, I would say get a solid one structurally and don't worry about cosmetics like paintwork if its a good price say about a grand loads out there like that that have not been restored
and just ruin it as is
mot die hards on here will tell you they would not restore another one

Cheers for the advice. I doupt i'll have it on the road for about 2/3 years if im honest, mostly ive purchased it as a (rather large,very cool) welding project for my to practice/develop my skills on.
When its finished I mostly see it as a weekend toy/ backup car. Ive got a everyday car and 2 clasic landys so this will have a space in the garage keeping nice and dry, as theres a lot more steel to go rotten than on the landys.

Incidently I have the problen of cr*p repro/aftermarket parts on my landys, genuine OEM and NOS is so expensive but worth every penny when it comes to reliability and longevity...

Looks a nice car and looks very restorable

Well the old morris eventually found a place in the garage, to rest in peace until now. I finally got bored of him sitting there, so 3 years later I've finally started assesimg the job in hand....
Its big,look forward to seeing a new restoration thread started tonight!