Morris Minor Owners Club

My current project is leaving for Canada in about 2 weeks...so I am really pushing on it to get to so the new owner will be able to load it on his carrier and take it to its new home in Halifax Nova Scotia...

I keep seeing so many cool old Morris Minors on Facebook within the various selling groups on Facebook but I in upstate New York...

Is it worth it to pursue one from the other side of the world???

I would be looking for just stockish driver with maybe a bigger motor and upgraded brakes and electrical...

I know there are issues right now with importing and tariffs and all kinds of other malarky...

Any thoughts?

Thanks in advance.

MikeC

Hi Mike.
There are people making a living in Japan importing older British cars and selling them at what we would feel are over inflated prices.
There is a distinct advantage though, they drive on the same side of the road as us.
The steering wheel on the left hand side is a definite disadvantage here.
Maybe having it on the right over there is also viewed with jaundiced eyes?
It also works in reverse this Japanese link, Nissan made a small run around called the Figaro, a retro looking compact, that does very well as a reimport here, it was not as new available here when produced.
The MG RV8 a 4 litre sports 2 seater was sold in large numbers to Japan in the 90,s
That is now being reimported here.
They sell here for around £17k to £20k
Import duties in the U.S. ?
No idea.
As for upping the engine and brakes etc my feeling is once you take it away from standard too much it is devalued in my eyes, but that may be just me.
If a car was to do well as a business venture in the U.S. I would investigate the MG F and TF models from the 1990,s to the early 2000,s
A 1.8 litre 135bhp K series mid engine 2 seater, look up www.trophycars.co.uk for typical models, because they are a dealer offering warranty they are overpriced, typically by 10-15%
How they fit import restrictions I have no idea, but worth a look if only for fun.

As I understand it cars that didn’t meet US emissions and safety standards can’t be imported for road use until they are at least 25 years old. So another year before we can get a 2002 TF. I did see one years ago at the Hemmings parking lot. A Brit had brought it over and was touring the country. It was an attractive interesting successor to the MGB.
According to wikipedia they were manufactured in China after 2007. What cars are currently produced domestically in GB? Is Jaguar building cars again? If they ever resurrected the D type at an affordable price I would be in line with cash.
Bill B

The main or largest factory is JLR, Jaguar Land Rover where the Jags and Range Rovers are made, employing directly around 12k people and lots more through suppliers of course.
Mini owned by BMW are made in Oxford, though some of the electric models are Chinese made.
MG are built in China, also a factory is opening in Spain for European sales.
The Chinese closed MG UK, a big marketing mistake in my opinion.
Morgan still make sports cars in Malvern over here.
Nissan employ around 6000 people in Sunderland building 3 models, they are however to lease a production line to a chinese maker called Omoda, a joint venture if you will.
Lotus still build here but are foreign owned if that matters.
Just about all formula 1 cars are made here, not ferarri though
Toyota have a plant here in Bunaston.
I have a 2004 TF and can confirm they are a fun car, lots of get up and go and if serviced right very reliable.
A low mileage example is well worth your powder and shot when available.
My minor is completely standard, a lovely little car in my opinion, but then I would be biased.
The TF is for blasts down English country lanes, the Minor enjoys scenery too, but at a more relaxed pace.
For TF info take a look at "The T bar" a uk based website for F and TF owners.

Morgan are foreign owned now as well aren't they?

Ford and Vauxhall are gone? Reports said Jaguar was going to pause production and sales while they transitioned from ICE to electric but I don’t see that being done yet? I would think it will hurt the value of existing cars without factory support.