Edd’s Buyers Guide to: 1000 Traveller

Useful Info Manufactured Engine Sizes Morris Minor Owners Club 1953 to 1971 948cc, 1098cc www.mmoc.org.uk

Fuel Type Engine Type Morris Minor Owners Petrol Water-Cooled www.morrisminorowners.co.uk

Drive Configuration Charles Ware’s Morris Minor Centre Ltd RWD Brislington, Bristol, BS4 5PS T: 0117 3003 754 www.morrisminor.org.uk Background Corrosion Hotspots

Code-named ‘Project Mosquito’ and designed by the 1. Front wings around headlamps man behind the , , the Morris Minor was launched in 1948. By 1961 it had become the first 2. Rear of front wings and A-posts British car to sell 1000,000 examples and the ‘Moggie’ has remained hugely popular amongst enthusiasts ever since. The first major change was in 1956 when the 3. Front wheel arches original split front screen disappeared and the more powerful 1000 model was launched, first with a 948cc 4. Bonnet engine and from 1962 a 1098cc unit. The wood-framed Traveller had been launched in 1953 and stayed on sale 5. Sills until 1971, a year after saloon production had ended. 6. Door bottoms

The Show Car 7. Rear doors It wasn’t until Series 10 of Wheeler Dealers that we got our hands on a Morris Minor, a 1966 Traveller to be exact. Mechanically it was pretty sound, the engine just needing some oil leaks curing with new gaskets and a fresh lick of paint, but the bodywork was a different matter. Close investigation revealed woodwork that was in a very rotten state, so there was no choice but to replace the lot. It was a huge task that involved having new sections made by a specialist before putting the whole lot back together again…very carefully. Plenty of coats of varnish were needed, along with new rear wings and replacement roof guttering. And the car was treated to a complete re-spray in original Almond Green. Replacing the headlining and carpets were the icing on the cake for this characterful classic. 4 1

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5 6 The CheckList

Every inch of the bodywork, very carefully. That the steering isn’t stiff. The front trunnions/ Serious corrosion is common with the shell kingpins need greasing every 3000 miles, often rusting from the inside out. Abandoned and failure to do so will result in seizure and or bodged restorations will be a nightmare premature failure

The chassis, concentrating on the main rails; The suspension for leaking dampers, sagging front cross-member; spring hangers; jacking rear leaf springs, and corrosion around the points; and inner wings front and rear. Don’t torsion bar mountings. Some owners have forget to examine the cabin and boot floor, replaced the lever-arm dampers with more too, along with the alloy panels between the effective telescopic items wood sections The brakes pull the car up squarely. Drums all All of the woodwork, as it is structural and round, they are cheap and easy to overhaul, but an MOT failure point if it’s rotten. Look for some owners convert to front discs using MG or soft or blackened areas that signify imminent Morris Marina parts replacement; it’s a tricky job, and can cost upwards of £2500 depending on any rust that’s The brake fluid level and condition. The master discovered. It should be re-varnished every two cylinder is located in the chassis rail beneath years, so if it’s peeling it points to neglect the driver’s feet – you need to lift the carpets to check it – and it can get forgotten. A remote The condition of the A-series engine, although reservoir in the engine bay is a cheap and useful it’s easy and cheap to re-build on a DIY basis. upgrade, as is a brake servo Key issues are oil leaks; low oil pressure (check the warning light extinguishes promptly); For a tatty and neglected cabin, although it’s a rumbling big ends; worn tappets; and a rattling very simple affair. Re-trimming is straightforward timing chain. An unleaded cylinder head and fairly inexpensive thanks to the huge conversion is useful specialist support for these cars. Lift the carpets to check for corrosion, though, and ensure the What engine is fitted, as swapping to the larger few electrical items are working as aged wiring 1275cc A-series unit or a Marina engine are and connections could be causing problems common. It’s a good mod if done properly

That the gearbox doesn’t whine excessively in second or third, or jump out of gear. Bear in bear there’s no synchromesh on first, but overhauling or replacing the ‘box isn’t expensive. Changing it for a Ford Sierra 5-speed unit is a useful and accepted modification

For a rear axle that’s particularly noisy – although it rarely fails - and for clunks from worn prop and drive shaft UJs

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