Newbie member: first Morris incoming in 2 weeks!

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scrooge95
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Newbie member: first Morris incoming in 2 weeks!

Post by scrooge95 »

Hello!
Well, in two weeks time I should hopefully be driving my first Morris home.
I'll make formal introductions when Henry has negotiated the 190 miles from Cornwall to the New Forest, but for the time being he's a 1967 Traveller - and 30+ years ago, he was my first car!

Back in the early 80s, when I was a mere 15 years old, my Dad bought Henry with the idea to do a full restoration in time for my 17th birthday.
As with many well intentioned plans, a fair few panels were replaced, the wood was done, seat covers bought... and then it all just ground to a halt.
My 17th birthday came and went, as did a Mk2 Ford Escort; me and various boyfriends all did bits and pieces here and there, but eventually I left home and Henry just kind of sat in the garage, partially primered, with no electrics, and 2 engines - neither of which were actually fitted.
Sometime around 1990 he moved down to Cornwall with an old family friend, who finally undertook the restoration that Henry fully deserved, and this is where he has lived for the last 30+years... happily pottering around, transporting a dog or two out for walkies, and living a good life tucked up in a garage.
And now it's time for Henry to move once again, and it seems only right and proper that he comes home to live with me at last.
To say I'm excited would be a bit of an understatement!

So I thought joining the owners club forum would be a good idea... because I may well need some help and advice along the way!
I'm no stranger to the joys of owning a classic vehicle - I have a 1974 VW Late Bay camper, and am an active member of the Late Bay forum, but it's been a while since I've had to think about things like water cooled engines and all-around drum brakes. And things made partially of wood!

Anyhow, here's Henry when I last saw him, back in the late 80s....
Henry restoration.jpg
Henry restoration.jpg (1.37 MiB) Viewed 1910 times
Cheers,
Sarah :)
1967 smoke grey 1098cc Morris Traveller / 1974 white over orange VW Late Bay camper
KeithL
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Re: Newbie member: first Morris incoming in 2 weeks!

Post by KeithL »

Sarah,

What a wonderful story, and how lovely to have Henry back in your ownership after all these years. Welcome to the Forum. You will finds loads of useful information here, and plenty of people who know what they are doing to help you sort any problems you may encounter or answer any questions you may have. It might be worth joining the MMOC and making contact with your local MMOC branch. Please let us have some photos when Henry is safely home with you.

ManyMinors
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Re: Newbie member: first Morris incoming in 2 weeks!

Post by ManyMinors »

Welcome to the forum and the world of Morris Minors - although you are plainly not entirely new to them! The Minor is still a very useable car and many of us have owned and run them for even longer than you've had yours. As already said, do put some photos up of the car's current state and let us know how you're getting on with it :) Good luck after all these years.
panky
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Re: Newbie member: first Morris incoming in 2 weeks!

Post by panky »

And a big welcome from me :D
I've just got my traveller back on the road after a four year restoration and am now enjoying driving Ted all over again - he's worth it 8)
Image
jagnut66
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Re: Newbie member: first Morris incoming in 2 weeks!

Post by jagnut66 »

Hello and welcome, like the others above I look forward to seeing Henry as he is today.
Good luck and enjoy! :D
Remember, a Minor is for driving, not just sitting about in garages (they get bored and play up) :wink: ......
Best wishes,
Mike.
1954 Series 2: 4 door: "Sally" -- Back on the ground with (slave) wheels and waiting to be resprayed......
1970 Triumph Herald 1200: "Hetty" -- Driven back from Llangollen in Wales (twice.....)
scrooge95
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Re: Newbie member: first Morris incoming in 2 weeks!

Post by scrooge95 »

Thanks for the welcome and kind words!
I've been out car booting today in an effort to clear garage space for Henry when he arrives home on the 23rd... I fear he may have to live outside for a short while whilst I change from an 'up n over' garage door to a hinged style, and until there is enough space in amongst 21 years of accumulated junk.
Definitely only for the summer though, when I'll hopefully be using him as well.
1967 smoke grey 1098cc Morris Traveller / 1974 white over orange VW Late Bay camper
PhilipW1039
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Re: Newbie member: first Morris incoming in 2 weeks!

Post by PhilipW1039 »

There are some great people on here, very knowledgeable with all sorts of useful advice. But welcome from me as well; what a lovely story!

Taking of great people…
panky wrote: Sat Jul 09, 2022 5:01 pm And a big welcome from me :D
I've just got my traveller back on the road after a four year restoration and am now enjoying driving Ted all over again - he's worth it 8)
Well done Panky. Just in time for the nice weather too! Yes, I know, they’re drivable in rain but there’s nothing quite like driving the traveller through the countryside, 30-40 mph on a warm summer’s evening.
Philip

Just gradually working things out...
panky
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Re: Newbie member: first Morris incoming in 2 weeks!

Post by panky »

How right you are :D No country driving today though but a B&Q trip for timber and screws- he earns his keep. You can just fit 2.4 m length bundles of 2"x1" batons over the seats and onto the parcel shelf, a very handy vehicle :tu1:
Image
PhilipW1039
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Re: Newbie member: first Morris incoming in 2 weeks!

Post by PhilipW1039 »

Really? Not tried that one yet :) I am learning that though.

I do our weekly shop sometimes - for all 5 of us, and the boot swallows that admirably. Lovely to have both doors opening as well; makes life so easy. Come to think of it, coming back to the Moggy is the thing I enjoy most about shopping! :D
Philip

Just gradually working things out...
markio
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Re: Newbie member: first Morris incoming in 2 weeks!

Post by markio »

Good luck Henry! I bet the kids of today wont love their old cars as much when they are older, so monochrome and generic nowadays.
scrooge95
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Re: Newbie member: first Morris incoming in 2 weeks!

Post by scrooge95 »

So a little update...
Friday saw me catching various connecting trains from Salisbury, and making my way down into Cornwall, and then the following day (yesterday) embarking on the homeward journey in Henry.
I can't lie - it was the most nerve wracking drive of my life!
I felt like a learner driver all over again - no passenger side door mirror, no synchromesh on first gear and having to remember to double declutch, a heater that wouldn't turn off, and an accelerator pedal that was on a hair trigger!
Having said all that, across the nine hours it took to get 200 miles home, I fell in love with Henry and will enjoy the adventures to come!

We over-heated once, which wasn't in the plan... but more oil and more water, combined with half an hour of cooling down (sitting and panicking!) seemed to do the trick.
We made it.

There are obviously things that need attending to... and many more things that I will need to learn!
I shall be asking many many questions.
The first being: if anyone in the Hampshire / Dorset boarder area would like to take an 'experienced' look and give me some pointers of where to start.
Also if there are any specialist mechanics to use in the area?

Thanks everyone :)
Henry.jpg
Henry.jpg (150.47 KiB) Viewed 1674 times
1967 smoke grey 1098cc Morris Traveller / 1974 white over orange VW Late Bay camper
NETTIE
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Re: Newbie member: first Morris incoming in 2 weeks!

Post by NETTIE »

Congratulations Henry looks amazing..
THOSE WHO NEVER DO ANYTHING WRONG NEVER DO ANYTHING
Alan Bude Cornwall
panky
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Re: Newbie member: first Morris incoming in 2 weeks!

Post by panky »

Very very nice indeed 8) :tu1:
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Bill_qaz
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Re: Newbie member: first Morris incoming in 2 weeks!

Post by Bill_qaz »

Great story and congratulations, brave to make the trip home in your reacquainted Morris. :tu1:
Regards Bill
simmitc
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Re: Newbie member: first Morris incoming in 2 weeks!

Post by simmitc »

Looks like a lovely car, well done. Once you're used to each other, you should be able to do 200 miles in half that time :). Active branches with very knowledgeable and helpful people in your area, so well worth joining for expert opinions and recommendations.
mikec4193
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Re: Newbie member: first Morris incoming in 2 weeks!

Post by mikec4193 »

Glad you got it home...looks like a fun project...

MikeC
sid
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Re: Newbie member: first Morris incoming in 2 weeks!

Post by sid »

Henry looks lovely! :)
scrooge95
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Re: Newbie member: first Morris incoming in 2 weeks!

Post by scrooge95 »

Thanks everyone :)
Henry has been for a trip into work today (with the excuse that I needed to get him out and photographed for the insurance value) but as he is leaking a bit of oil, and burning it too, he won't be doing much more until he's been looked at and hopefully fixed - whatever that may entail. Hopefully it will be something relatively straightforward, like old seals that have dried and cracked, and just need replacing. Fingers crossed!
The important thing is that I'm really enjoying driving him, and apart from still not entirely getting the hang of changing down to 1st gear, all is good and fun.
1967 smoke grey 1098cc Morris Traveller / 1974 white over orange VW Late Bay camper
PhilipW1039
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Re: Newbie member: first Morris incoming in 2 weeks!

Post by PhilipW1039 »

That’s easy. You don’t :) I’ve even started using second more if I have any kind of movement.

A great tip somebody on here gave me a couple of weeks ago, was to move the gearstick slightly towards second before engaging first. You still have to be at a standstill but it solved what, in my car, was a very rough time engaging first. Hope that helps, and enjoy your Moggy!
Philip

Just gradually working things out...
philthehill
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Re: Newbie member: first Morris incoming in 2 weeks!

Post by philthehill »

One of the good things about fitting the Ford gearbox is synchromesh on first gear so no more dodgy 2nd to 1st gear changes. Also the Ford gearbox is much stronger so lasts longer.

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