Morris Minor Owners Club

Hello
Just a couple of bits of advice needed for a newbie owner.
I've done some great journeys (from Torquay to Cornwall and back) in Gertie my 1964 dual personality Moggie since taking ownership a few months ago.

She really wants to run and seems to prefer to be opened up a bit, but also seems quite happy on hills all things considered. I just love driving her!
However I have noticed that she likes to let out a few 'parps' when we are traveling at moderate speed and it only happens when I take my foot off the accelerator. It's like a small backfire.
She also runs really well when the choke is out slightly - with obligatory clothes peg engaged, when the engine is warm and the peg removed she tends to stall rather quickly. Is this normal for a Morris?

One other question regarding an outdoor cover.
I have seen it mentioned that it isn't a good idea to keep the car totally covered up and that perhaps a half cover might be a good idea to just cover windows and door tops, this seems to make sense to me as it will let the paintwork breathe. Has anyone done this with success and if so which covers seem to be the best?

Thanks in advance for any advice!
All the best Donna

Yes the ‘parp’ is a characteristic of the Morris Minor, some like it some don’t ! Not sure enough to comment on the cover, apart from saying it’s good to let the car have some air circulating.

I remember in the past others had said that you don't get the parp if you have the stainless steel exhaust instead of the original style as it alters the sound, but I don't know how true it is.

The trouble with covers is they like to find sharp edges and tear, or find stormy weather and be returned by the neighbours, or have the straps rub the paintwork (or in our case, all three ! ).

Yes, the trumpeting 'parp' is an endearing feature of these cars - I love it!
As for "She also runs really well when the choke is out slightly - with obligatory clothes peg engaged, when the engine is warm and the peg removed she tends to stall rather quickly. Is this normal for a Morris?" No, it is not normal. It may be that the idle speed just needs adjusting but, as you have only had the car a couple of months it would be a good idea to give the engine a good service and tune-up - plugs, points, carb clean and mixture setting etc.

My car has a stainless exhaust but it does not affect the 'parp', maybe even amplifies it! She can make more 'parps' than the State Trumpeters opening Parliament!

I used to test my cars ignition timing by coasting down the hill from Bath to Bradford on Avon. If she parped all the way down I knew everything was alright.However I did fit a stainless exhaust and the amount of parping has been drastically reduced. I love a good parp.

Mr Spigot wrote: ↑Fri Aug 28, 2026 1:50 pm My car has a stainless exhaust but it does not affect the 'parp', maybe even amplifies it! She can make more 'parps' than the State Trumpeters opening Parliament!

Ditto. The flatulence occurs (the exhaust, not me) when changing gear too - not always though.

My standard engine 1098cc parps a great deal. The engine needs to be warmed up to parp and the fuel mixture needs to be right. Then the parps are very flatulent. Usually on changing up a gear a short parp is issued but the revs need to be high enough. Using engine braking (e.g 3rd gear) descending a hill the parps are almost embarrassing. A stainless steel exhaust (standard bore) has made the parps louder.

Stephen

I find it peaks at around 43mph, going downhill in top gear with the throttle closed.
"Listen to this" I once told my back seat grandsons. "What does it sound like?"
In unison they joyously cried out "F*rting, Grandad". Note the comma!
We call it F*rting in the Forties.