Morris Minor Owners Club

I was idly browsing the How Many Left website today, and discovered the number of Minor Travellers is now back up to nearly the number of 10 years ago:

https://www.howmanyleft.co.uk/?utf8=%E2 ... +Traveller

Pretty remarkable, considering the number dropped to 735 at one point, five years ago!

I wonder if not having to have any Tax/MOT is putting more back on the road.

Do you have any reliable data sources on the numbers of travellers registered outside the UK?
UK data alone does not give a true picture.

Chief wrote: ↑Mon Aug 09, 2021 6:39 pm I wonder if not having to have any Tax/MOT is putting more back on the road.

seems to be a combination of more barn finds (the sum of SORN + on the road is higher than 10 years ago) and classic cars having a bit of a renaissance. in my part of London it's much more common to see a classic than it was 10 years ago

Top marks to those whose restoration projects have got some more back on the road!

woodiesenfrance wrote: ↑Mon Aug 09, 2021 9:54 pm Do you have any reliable data sources on the numbers of travellers registered outside the UK?
UK data alone does not give a true picture.

Good point; back in 1994, I sold a 1961 Traveller (which was registered XVE 557) to some Belgian classic car buyers, who came up and asked if I would sell it whilst filling up at Clackett Lane service station, and followed me home to Canterbury to buy it!

Interestingly, it still appears on DVLA's database to this day, despite the Export marker...

I’m sorry to say there is one less in the UK now. Travellers are really rare in Australia, they were never sold here. The car shown, WVK722H has decided to emigrate in her old age and is in a container, heading to Adelaide as I write. She will be looked after here.

Very nice too - I hope you'll enjoy it...

It'll probably enjoy being out and about in a warmer, dryer climate too, I imagine.

RichardBarnes wrote: ↑Sun Aug 15, 2021 2:24 pm I’m sorry to say there is one less in the UK now. Travellers are really rare in Australia, they were never sold here. The car shown, WVK722H has decided to emigrate in her old age and is in a container, heading to Adelaide as I write. She will be looked after here.

Congratulations Richard, nice to know you managed to get this car. It's a lovely car and I'm sure you won't be disappointed with it once it arrives in Adelaide

I hope to see the former owner/restorer in a few months time. I'm sure he'll be pleased to know the car is good hands.

Funny old world though. A couple of year ago, I brought a lowlight home from Australia, shipped it from Brisbane and now here's a traveller going the other way !

Off topic here...

Spoke to some chap at Kelmarsh, mentioned a new "register" catering for Adderley Park assembled Traveller's?!

Well overdue someone else takes over this.

Is there a distinct way of telling (i.e., from chassis numbers, etc.) whether it was built at Adderley Park or not?

Hi Phillip,
Yes I gather the previous long term owner was Vince Curry and I would like to write to him. I have an address on an old V5 near Gateshead. Are you able to PM me and I could send a message you might pass on? Regards Richard

Chipper wrote: ↑Mon Aug 16, 2021 4:56 pm Is there a distinct way of telling (i.e., from chassis numbers, etc.) whether it was built at Adderley Park or not?

Chassis prefix stamped (large size) MAW5D - Cowley small with "/" between the ie; M/A - early ones with "J" vin suffix, later with "F".

At Kelmarsh, noted an Adderley Park Traveller with a Cowley identity.....

Here's one in regular use today:

Lovely dogs (!), and I see you have upgraded to gas struts top solve that pesky issue of the original stays wearing out and not keeping the doors open. Can you share what/where you bought them? Did they fit the original holes in the wood?
Thanks!

That's the second pair of those struts, the first pair wore out. I do use my trav. all the time with canine friends in the back. I have had them for years.
Yes they fit the original holes.
They came from David Manners, www.abingdonmgparts.co.uk
Telescopic stay kit, traveller rear doors, part N° LKG109A
They are currently marked as unavailable, though. I haven't looked to see if anyone else sells them
Hope that helps

POMMReg wrote: ↑Tue Aug 17, 2021 6:17 pm Chassis prefix stamped (large size) MAW5D - Cowley small with "/" between the ie; M/A - early ones with "J" vin suffix, later with "F".

At Kelmarsh, noted an Adderley Park Traveller with a Cowley identity.....

Thanks, Reg. And are the Adderley Park ones reportedly any better/worse than the ones built (by MG?) at Abingdon, do you know?

Thanks for the info on the gas struts, Mary. I called David Manners, while they show currently unavailable, it just means they are on permanent special order. So they are available, just not right away.

They do now seem to be available, albeit part No. LKG109K, but at quite a price - £132, inc. VAT!

Chipper wrote: ↑Mon Aug 09, 2021 5:52 pm I was idly browsing the How Many Left website today, and discovered the number of Minor Travellers is now back up to nearly the number of 10 years ago:

https://www.howmanyleft.co.uk/?utf8=%E2 ... +Traveller

Pretty remarkable, considering the number dropped to 735 at one point, five years ago!

They show 8.9K Minor 1000 that seems an amazing amount on the road.
Do you think that is plus the travellers, as they have there own count?