Considering a Moggy for Miss Ree as I can actually get her classic car insurance on this, and only this marque via Footman James, for an 'almost' reasonable £800 fully comp with breakdown cover and unrestricted mileage.

Couple for sale on the owners forum that look half decent and wondered if anyone had got one or had one with any comments to make?

Before I start getting slated, as I was for daring to put her in a Saxo last year, yes, I appreciate they haven't got a 5 star ncap rating.

It's either this or a wasp scooter, taxii's, buses or cycling, as the cost of 'normal' car insurance has now reached eye watering stratospheric levels and won't be happening.

I had a 1960 Old English White Morris Minor for six months last year and it was a good runaround and great fun.

I should have kept it, but I sold it for a 1934 Morris 10-4. Not my best change if I am honest.

Before you buy one, buy this:

http://www.ebay.co.u...=item2c6b8f4954

It's written by the chairman of the MMOC, so he knows what he is talking about.

Condition is very important and the book tells you where to look.

Briskodian Moggytech was the font of all knowledge on Minors but I haven't heard from him or a while now.

Couple for sale on the owners forum that look half decent and wondered if anyone had got one or had one with any comments to make?

Drop MoggyTech a PM if he doesn't see this thread

Chris

My first car,a 1967 smoke grey saloon.Had great fun in it for about a year until it was hit by a Hillman Super minx and came off worse.Easy to maintain and service and loads of room under the bonnet,some people used to put V8's in them.Will not have the street cred but what fun.

I don't know as much as Moggytech, but here goes:-

1) Body condition

2) Body condition

3) Body condition - Look, it really is this important in valuing a car that's at least 43 years old.

4) Standard engine is an Austin "A series"; these are nearly bomb-proof, as long as they have an unleaded conversion in or you can trust Miss Ree to remember to add a shot of lead substitute every time she refuels.

5) You may well find some or all of the following modifications. None are undesirable except a tuned or transplant engine without telescopic dampers and front discs:-

a) Front disc convertion; these are a pretty straight bolt-on using MG Midget or Morris Marina parts.

Front telescopic dampers - These replace the original lever arm dampers, but you still need to lubricate the lever arm pivots.

c) Tuned engines; the A series is very tunable, and a 1275cc ex-Midget engine will just bolt in. A seriously tuned A-series can output over 100bhp and keep up with nonvRS Skodas.

d) Transplants - FIAT or Alfa Romeo twin cam convertions are fairly popular, and the Rover (ex-Buick) 3500cc V8 will also fit. I'm not sure you'll can get her insured on some of these, but you need to know they're out there.

e) Larger wheels and tyres are possible; 155R13 is standard, but 175/70R13 and 185/60R14 can both fit the standard arches.

I'm surprised the insurance is so high on a Minor through FJ. When I had a few classics it was really cheap providing you were a member of a Car Club and some sort of limited mileage.

Her mum had a small prang as a named driver on the policy and

now the renewal premium is sky high apparently.

Oh!

Her mum had a small prang as a named driver on the policy and

now the renewal premium is sky high apparently.

That is true, as i disclosed the info, as you are obliged to do.

Classic car insurance as a rule is NOT available until you are 25, but they've done a deal with The Royal Sun Alliance for this one and ONLY make and model for anyone up to that age....from 17 upwards.

Miss ree was initially dubious, but now she's seen a few piccies she thinks they actually look "quite cool"!.

I also suggested she could socialise and make some new friends by driving and showing it to a few classic car shows behind me in my gorgeous Mk1 Fiesta this year too!

All seems a bit odd not to include a few other models too, but hey ho, who am I to query it ey?

Edited 22 January, 201313 yr by Mr Ree

IIRC, the wood on the traveller is structural, therefore needs to be in good order to pass an MOT. So if offered a cheap Traveller with manky wood, it won't be cheap to repair. (unless you're called Chippendale or Mouseman Thomson)

IIRC, the wood on the traveller is structural, therefore needs to be in good order to pass an MOT. So if offered a cheap Traveller with manky wood, it won't be cheap to repair. (unless you're called Chippendale or Mouseman Thomson)

Wouldn't be a 'woody', just a bogo 2 or 4 door.

I think the 2/4 door saloon is a nice shape.

When I had mine it was great to own, because it just gets so much positive attention.

People who remember them just want to have a chat/look or stare at you as you go past.

I think they are cool and as a bonus the driver might start to understand a bit more about how a car works, because on a Minor is so simple to understand.

By the way, the MMOC has a special section/group for young owners. (under 25 IIRC)

i put a straight 6 mercedez engine in a morris minor a few years ago.. awesome car, a bit like a district nurse on acid...

anyway, yes they were quite good in thier day, but they lack a few of the creature comforts that you might take for granted nowdays, its finding one that isnt rotten nowadays that will be the challenge

My daughter is 21 and she would give her right arm for a Minor especially the Traveller, likes the 2 opening doors at the back for some reason so yes a few young ladies do like 'em. I can only think the best place to buy one is on a Classic forum, they are not cheap to buy but cheap to run + don't suffer depreciation, the only way is up.

As before Moggytech is your man to ask, he knows every nut, bolt and washer and the thread sizes.

My daughter is 21 and she would give her right arm for a Minor especially the Traveller, likes the 2 opening doors at the back for some reason so yes a few young ladies do like 'em. I can only think the best place to buy one is on a Classic forum, they are not cheap to buy but cheap to run + don't suffer depreciation, the only way is up.

As before Moggytech is your man to ask, he knows every nut, bolt and washer and the thread sizes.

Not hard, when the answer is almost always 5/8" AF.

RWD and skinny tires can she learn to drive well since it won't be as forgiving as a modern car?

I only ask because I'd have put it through a hedge backwards at a similar age.

My daughter is 21 and she would give her right arm for a Minor especially the Traveller, likes the 2 opening doors at the back for some reason so yes a few young ladies do like 'em. I can only think the best place to buy one is on a Classic forum, they are not cheap to buy but cheap to run + don't suffer depreciation, the only way is up.

As before Moggytech is your man to ask, he knows every nut, bolt and washer and the thread sizes.

He isn't what you'd call a Moggy geek then ey?

My daughter is 21 and she would give her right arm for a Minor especially the Traveller, likes the 2 opening doors at the back for some reason so yes a few young ladies do like 'em. I can only think the best place to buy one is on a Classic forum, they are not cheap to buy but cheap to run + don't suffer depreciation, the only way is up.

As before Moggytech is your man to ask, he knows every nut, bolt and washer and the thread sizes.

Indeed. Moggy Owners Club Forum does seem to be the best way, as they are naturally enthusiaists generally speaking I'd have thought, and wouldn't want to be seen to be selling a heap of crumbling rust dust.

Bit like in here really i suppose.

Couple in there in seemingly half decent condition but not concourse for between £2,000 and 2,500.

'Projects'...always makes me smile that word, i.e. generally scrap, from £200 upwards.

Minters are fetching £4000 upwards, and we don't even look at convertibles and tasty woodies...or vans even!.

Edited 22 January, 201313 yr by Mr Ree

On the ignition side,I'd fit some sort of electronic type ( to get rid of points). And if you keep the points, (unless the newer versions of the one piece are better than of old) ,stick to the two piece set . Mechanically most of the BL/BMC range of this period ( and some later models ) used a common range of componants .

I'd agree about electronic ignition (Luminition used to be regarded as the best, then Piranha, but I've not seen adverts for either in about 20 years).

Well, 2 weeks of searching has so far drawn a blank.

Seems the £2-3500 cars are selling like hot cakes, as every tiime I ring or email in response to an ad, I'm getting the same answer....SOLD!

Very sad day for Miss R today, as her insurance runs out at 12:30 this afternoon.

Sad day for me too..........

Taxi!! Dads Taxi!!

Mechanically simple (I changed the engine and gear box on mine in 90 minutes once) ...as already said good body condition is the one to look for....rear wheel drive isn't a problem as there is hardly enough power to spin the rear wheels ...but brakes never were good...so pay attention to those and don't forget there is no syncro on first gear...(so you have to stop before selecting first gear)...there used to be a lot of mods available to help upgrade things ...like Morris marina suspension on the front, electronic ignition. etc. etc

Mechanically simple (I changed the engine and gear box on mine in 90 minutes once) ...as already said good body condition is the one to look for....rear wheel drive isn't a problem as there is hardly enough power to spin the rear wheels ...but brakes never were good...so pay attention to those and don't forget there is no syncro on first gear...(so you have to stop before selecting first gear)...there used to be a lot of mods available to help upgrade things ...like Morris marina suspension on the front, electronic ignition. etc. etc

Marina discs already mentioned; similarly front tele dampers. I don't see why you'd bother with Marina wishbones though.