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Morris Minor in car magazines

Posted: Wed Mar 19, 2014 2:12 pm
by rotgnom
Hi there,
does anyone know about articles in classic car magazines giving evidence that there have been Minors with 1275 engines in the eighties.
I'm going to put a 1275 Midget engine in my 1100 Traveller and German authorities want to see some kind of proof that it has been done year ago. :roll:
Thanks
Achim

Re: Morris Minor in car magazines

Posted: Wed Mar 19, 2014 5:10 pm
by philthehill
The earliest well documented Minor with a 1275cc engine was road tested by MOTOR magazine April 7 1973.
It was the extraordinary Miller's Minor with an engine based on a 1275cc Cooper 'S' block and bored out to 1293cc with a Sprite crank. The car was based on a 1958 convertible.
The conversion was done by Border Garages, West Wellow on the Hampshire/Wilts county border and which is not to far from me.
A copy of the road test is in the publication Motor & Classic cars Morris Minor 1948 - 1983. ISBN 0946489521.
If I come across any earlier or other 1980s Minors fitted with 1275cc engines I will post on here.

Re: Morris Minor in car magazines

Posted: Wed Mar 19, 2014 5:19 pm
by philthehill
The road test
I have tried to load it but it will not take.
When I reduce it it is un-readable.
I will try and figure way round it.

Re: Morris Minor in car magazines

Posted: Wed Mar 19, 2014 5:29 pm
by philthehill
will try again[frame]Image[/frame]

Re: Morris Minor in car magazines

Posted: Wed Mar 19, 2014 6:44 pm
by charlie_morris_minor
here is a link to charles ware morris minor centre.. with links to articles published in the 80's

http://www.morrisminor.org.uk/index.php/series-iii.html

hope it is of some help

Re: Morris Minor in car magazines

Posted: Wed Mar 19, 2014 8:33 pm
by bmcecosse
Could you please send me the article Phil - it's a bit 'cut off' in the post above !

Re: Morris Minor in car magazines

Posted: Wed Mar 19, 2014 9:24 pm
by philthehill
bmc
I did try to post the whole article (2 pages) but it would not go. Reducing its size makes it unreadable.
I will try and post as 4 parts.
Phil

Re: Morris Minor in car magazines

Posted: Wed Mar 19, 2014 9:28 pm
by philthehill
Part 1.[frame]Image[/frame]

Re: Morris Minor in car magazines

Posted: Wed Mar 19, 2014 9:33 pm
by jagnut66
Hi,
From what I can make out it looks an interesting article, perhaps it would be possible to get it reprinted in our magazine (in full) sometime in the future??.....................
(Hoping the MODS read this one and might make enquiries as to who owns the rights etc.........)
Best wishes,
Mike.

Re: Morris Minor in car magazines

Posted: Wed Mar 19, 2014 9:40 pm
by philthehill
Part 2.[frame]Image[/frame]

Re: Morris Minor in car magazines

Posted: Wed Mar 19, 2014 9:44 pm
by philthehill
Part 3[frame]Image[/frame]

Re: Morris Minor in car magazines

Posted: Wed Mar 19, 2014 9:46 pm
by bmcecosse
Keep it coming Phil - good reading so far!

Re: Morris Minor in car magazines

Posted: Wed Mar 19, 2014 9:48 pm
by philthehill
Part 4 revised below

Re: Morris Minor in car magazines

Posted: Wed Mar 19, 2014 9:53 pm
by jagnut66
good reading so far!
You must have better eyesight than me BMC!

Re: Morris Minor in car magazines

Posted: Wed Mar 19, 2014 9:59 pm
by philthehill
Part 4 revised[frame]Image[/frame]

Re: Morris Minor in car magazines

Posted: Wed Mar 19, 2014 10:06 pm
by philthehill
Sorry cannot get it bigger but if you go to 'Page' on the tool bar above and use the zoom function makes it a bit easier to read.

Re: Morris Minor in car magazines

Posted: Wed Mar 19, 2014 10:40 pm
by philthehill
CS Auto classics were also involved in the development of the series III. I went to their workshop near Wells to try their Minor fitted with the Ford 4 speed gear box. I subsequently purchased one of their Minor/Ford bell housing which allowed me to fit the Quaife 4 speed CR/SC box. I have one of their catalogues somewhere with details of the conversions.

Re: Morris Minor in car magazines

Posted: Thu Mar 20, 2014 12:15 pm
by bmcecosse
Thanks Phil - amusing! The 544 cam is my favourite and works well in that car apparently. "increased the travel of the rear suspension' = cut a bit off the bump stops, and Riley 1.5 discs...hahahahaha........ Very surprising an 8 port Mini is quoted as being slower......it must have been a v poor example!!

Re: Morris Minor in car magazines

Posted: Thu Mar 20, 2014 6:05 pm
by chickenjohn
Just don't tell them you have put a 1275 engine in.

All the inspector will see is an A series engine with an SU carb. Nothing to arouse suspicion!

I understand in Germany it is illegal to modify your car.

Re: Morris Minor in car magazines

Posted: Thu Mar 20, 2014 8:43 pm
by rotgnom
Hi there,
thank you so much. It has been great fun to read these articles and will hopefully help to convince German TÜV-inspectors to follow my plans. :D
Achim