Morris Minor Owners Club

AS a total mechanical novice I am loathed to mess around with my lovely Traveller - even what all you experts would regard as simple jobs are likely to turn into an expensive mess with someone such as my good self.

Is it possible to pick up a morris minor around the £1000 mark that is essentially structurally sound but could be as ugly as a pig with no lipstick on, so that this could be the vehicle I try to get my experience on mending and improving and keeping on the road. That way, if I mess it up at first, I haven't taken my traveller off the road, and it will have the added bonus of letting me get some experience and keep another Morris on the road.

I have a birthday with a 0 on next year and think I should add to my Morris fleet .. ok well just another to go with my traveller, where I can hopefully have a real go at improving a car that maybe hasn't been loved for a while.

Realistic?
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This what i did only i dont have a lovely one, i just bought from ebay £1200 and then learn as I go. I have no money and no understanding of cars. but everyday i learn from this site and other people also internet.

I~ think if you have a working running car you have a big advantage, as i have never seen another... yet!

Alan

Alan, Thanks for the lovely reply! I know I am not up to welding etc.. but if i could grab an unloved one with an existing MOT so at least I could get it home it would be so much fun to bring it back from the brink so to speak.

I doubt you will find a Minor that doesn't need 'welding' for £1000....

Then I might spend a bit more.

I bought mine because it was first put on the road on 03/11/69 and my dob is the 03/11/69 and so its the same age as me.... I dont have many tools and money is really tight for us. In december 2011 I lost my first wife and daughter which was a very emotional time for me. My solicitor dealing with the finances of our situation made a mistake and so I made a formal complaint to the law society and the ombudsman. As a result I got a payment from the law company and with that money I bought my car. People have told me the money could have been better spent on bills or a running car and they in some ways are right, however I have spent many many hours trying to restore my car it is a medicine that no Dr could provide and I feel every man should have one.

It has kept my mind occupied and aloud healing to come to my soul, nothing and no one can replace those I have lost but material things can help to keep your mind at rest and watching progression gives you hope, as you restore it reminds you that a damaged heart can be made whole again.

I hope you get your new project and I hope it keeps you busy and gives you GREAT satisfaction.

I know my english is poor its not my first language for which I am sorry....

Kind regards

Alan

Alan, an inspiring story! That car will mean more to you than most people will ever know! No better reason to do what you are doing! Well done to you!

Your English is better than many who the language is supposedly their mother tongue!

By the way I have since re married and have a beautiful wife Anna, a little boy Samuël and we expect another little boy 10th December...

Good things do happen in a sad world!

Alan

Thank you for your kind words...

Pic of my traveller I don't want to mess up trying to mend things and then making them worse[frame][/frame]

It definitely is possible.

My partner and I bought our first Morris Minor for £1100 and knowing what I do now, it was probably worth £700 or £800. Five years on and I'm so grateful to have bought a car that was in the condition that it was - structurally sound, but mechanically and electronically shot with a whole host of random non standard car parts. She still is a bit of a Frankenstein, but getting there.

We've learnt so much from all the jobs we've had to do. From changing a bush on the suspension to engine rebuilds and a lot in between. We had no knowledge before (I didn't even know what a rocker cover was - let alone changing the rocker cover gasket ) and having access to this site as well as a good friend with vast Morris Minor know how has meant the difference between using a garage and doing it ourselves. So far we've only used the garage for the MOTs and we have had A LOT to do on the cars

Me being the procrastinator that I am, find it best to act like we only have the one car when a problem arises. That way it gets fixed rather than letting the problem car sit in the garage feeling sorry for itself for months on end.

Since buying our cars I've been to view quite a few cars for around £1000, sometimes a little more, and most of them have been alright runners and not requiring any welding.

Anyhow, good luck with the search.

I also saved money for a welder and have tried welding. On thursday I start my first day at college on a welding course. I bought a Mig welder for £160, instead of drinking expensive coffee, eating biscuits and sweets for three months I saved the money I also sold things on ebay until I could afford it.

Next is the wood that will be a JOKE but I will restore this car!!

Alan

Thanks for the advice... rocker cover.... whats that??

The ideal is to get something with an existing MOT so I can at least drive it and test when my repairs have been done. I really couldn't care less about the paintwork, what the seats etc are like as I have no fear of sorting anything like that. Its having no mechanical knowledge that I want to start to learn about - and this, I thought would be a great way of getting that, while helping out a Morris stay on the road, and hopefully improving on its condition.

I too have seen cars listed as having just passed an MOT at the £1k or so range - but wondered if others had any experience of this price level of car. Great to hear you have.

I was told mine only needed a little work done to pass however this was not true.... the engine works fine but when I removed it with the help and understanding of a naughber I discovered lots of welding in the engine bay. The previous owner had rewelded almost all the floor, however mine has no breaks at all and all the wood needs replacing.

a-part from these things its a perfect car... hahahaha

Alan

by the way - it looks like you have a really nice car!!!

Alan

Good on you Alan,and as another poster already said very inspiring!I'm sure everyone on here wants you to succeed getting your traveller done and are ready to help you where they are able.
Mick

I think getting something with an MOT for a 1000£ will be very difficult because I notice when the car owners on line have an MOT on there cars they increase the price even if the car is no good. some garage owners who are selling can put there own MOT on a bad car. This is not good but I notice this one this morning on ebay item number 181519816307 this has no MOT, I think the best place to buy one might be on here the MMOC as for some the most important thing is to see the restoration where on ebay the main priority is cash.

Alan

Yes I think you are spot on. I need to find someone who is more happy to let a Minor go to someone they know is prepared to care for it and do it up, than someone who is just out to make some money.