Volume 59 ORRIS Number 7 July MONTHLONTHLYY 2019

MAGAZINE OF THE MORRIS REGISTER The Club for Morris vehicles designed before 1940 www.morrisregister.co.uk NATIONAL RALLY 9/10/11 August, Thoresby Park, Notts NG22 9EP ENTRIES DUE NOW! 1 Volume 59 ORRIS Number 6 July ONTHLY 2019 MAGAZINEM OF THE MORRIS REGISTER

CONTENTS CHAIRMAN John writes:

2 Chairman ell, so much for the so called English summer, I hope 3 Editor Wthat many of you have managed to get out in your cars between showers! Let's hope for better weather ahead. 4 Secretary's Spot I recently met up with Chris Lambert of the Pre War Minor Thoresby Thoughts Network to look at the prototype early Minor mentioned in a previous issue of Morris Monthly. The aim was to try and salvage the car for the 6 Warm Welcome club and perhaps attempt a restoration. Sadly, (and I am sure this is What's it Worth? the opinion of others who have seen the vehicle), a restoration attempt would be very brave indeed. The car has been standing where it is for 7 Younger Members Initiative over thirty five years and any attempt to move it would probably end up with a pile of rust left behind! My initial thoughts were to try and 8/9 Forum Files keep it as is, on display somewhere for all to see. The owners, who are 10-15 Exactly Eighty extremely nice people, have, I think, other ideas and somehow seem to think that the car could be worth tens of thousands! As Chris pointed 16/17 Pictures from the Past out to them, £20-£30 thousand pounds would be the minimum cost of repairs if we are lucky! It's back to the drawing board I think! 18-20 Minor Musings I hope the Beamish weekend went well. Over the last few years members 21-23 Eight Diff Rebuild (Pt 5) have enjoyed this well organised event with numbers increasing year on year, so well done to the organisers. Bristol Classic Car Show was also 24/25 John's Jottings on the agenda for later in June, I hope this has all gone to plan. All these events take a lot of organising and planning so I hope a lot of members 36-45 Regional Round Up showed their appreciation by attending. I am off to the MMOC national 46 Morris Mail rally at Kelmarsh Hall on Saturday 22nd. Let's hope the weather holds up for them. We will have a good number of Register vehicles attending 46/47 Morris Mart again this year. Our editor will probably be reminding you all that the deadline day for 48 Foto Finish inserting articles and photographs in the magazine is still 14th of the month! Anything after that date will be included in the next month's copy. You have been warned! Most of us try to adhere to this deadline but I have myself been a bit remiss on occasions, must do better!

Cover picture: Anne and Jim Riglar in their 1939 Morris Eight Series E tourer near Laycock Abbey in April last year. [Photo: Ken Martin] The Morris Register Spares Service he Register’s Spares Service aims to provide a basic service that will help members keep their Morris Tin good fettle and suitable for safe and enjoyable motoring. We stock a range of spares needed for the maintenance and overhaul of the most popular models.These stock items mainly comprise engine, transmission, electrical and brake parts for the Morris 8, 10 and Minor models with a limited stock of similar parts for other Morris models. ON-LINE SHOP (www.morrisregisterspares.co.uk) The new on-line mail order shop enables members to shop for Morris Spares in a secure on-line environment. The Shop includes a full description, a photo, and details of which Morris models each part will fit. Each product in the shop has a unique “part number” with 2 letters and 3 numbers, and is a unique reference system for our Spares Service. The shop is linked to a secure PayPal payment system; you don’t have to have a PayPal account to use this, you can use your credit or debit card. Please go to the Club’s web site and click on Services/Benefits – Spares Service. The information given in the descriptions in the on-line shop should be sufficient to identify the parts you need. We cannot answer questions from members as to which is the correct part for their car, or about parts suitability or application. 2 MORRIS REGISTER INFORMATION CENTRE: The views and opinions expressed by the Pat and Barbara Farmer  0333 006 5255 Editor and contributors to this magazine are (10 am to 7 pm UK time) [email protected] theirs alone and do not necessarily reflect the views of The Pre 1940 Morris Register Limited. CHAIRMAN: SECRETARY: Any advice provided is not intended to be John Ford  01386 832 447 Jim Riglar  0333 006 5521 advice on which you should rely. You must [email protected] [email protected] obtain professional or specialist advice before taking or refraining from any action based MEMBERSHIP SECRETARY: on the content of this magazine. No liability Office hours: 9 am - 5 pm, Monday to Friday is accepted for the consequences of following Christine Haigh  0333 006 5256 [email protected] any advice provided in the magazine.

EDITOR: Rob Symonds, Advertising in the magazine: will members please note that if you are 21 Swallow Drive, Bingham selling goods for profit or reward other than your own personal items these Notts NG13 8QA will be classed as trade goods and you will be charged for advertising. This [email protected] is to be fair to those paying traders who advertise on a regular basis in the  0333 006 5498 magazine. Please leave a message and The members' directory will be available to download from the new I will get back to to you website shortly. A hard copy can be obtained from the Membership Secretary. This gives you a list of National committee officers, regional DEADLINE officers and regional information of noggin meets, etc. Publication of a full 14th of the month prior to publication list of members has had to go on the back burner because of the GDPR MAGAZINE NON-ARRIVAL: laws regarding personal information, as not enough members have opted Please contact the Membership Secretary in as yet. Contact details above New website:this has now gone 'live', please be patient as we try to get BACK ISSUES: may be purchased used to using it! from the Club Shop EDITOR Rob Symonds writes: WEBSITE: www.morrisregister.co.uk t is often quite difficult to get the Chairman to shut up, as his Contact: Mike Rose, Webmaster Ibig piece this month demonstrates! However, this month [email protected] he genuinely had a lot he needed to say. SMALL ADS: Post/email to: In particular, his reference to the mag's deadline is a valid one. The Editor (see above) There has been a lot of slippage in recent months. It used to be ok if the Free for members (max 1 car per month) odd contributor was a couple of days late, but this has become four or Non-members: please contact for charges. five days late from any number of folk, which makes it almost impossible COMPLAINTS: Any complaints for copy to reach the printers as early as I would like. This was particularly against any officer of the club, or about true this month, so I suspect your mag was late arriving. the way the club is being administered So, for the foreseeable future, if it ain't here by the 14th, it will have to should be referred to the Secretary wait, I am afraid! THE PRE 1940 DVLA V765 Service: The Club can now take a limited number MORRIS REGISTER LTD of new applications. For advice on registration number retention Registered Office: contact the DVLA Officer at [email protected] 70 Alderton Way, Trowbridge, Wiltshire BA14 0UH ©Morris Register and various authors and photographers. PRINTED BY Material published in Morris Monthly may not be published CAMBRIAN PRINTERS elsewhere without the permission of the Editor.  01970 627 111 The Morris Register Spares Service POSTAL SALES If you know the part number of the parts you need, but don’t want to use the on-line shop, please get in touch with David and Lindsay Smith, email: [email protected] or by post at Morris Spares, Units 5 & 6 Priory Farm Industrial Estate, Station , Portbury, BRISTOL, BS20 7TN. We cannot take orders by phone. • Please state clearly the part number (the unique 2-letter, 3-number code as shown in the on- line shop), the description of the item you need, and the quantity • Please quote the model and chassis number of your car – take the chassis number from the brass plate under the bonnet, and include the letters as well as the numbers • Please quote your name, address and membership number in all communications • We can accept payments by cheque, but prefer payments by card using PayPal. Instructions for payment will be given when you order • Please remember the Service is run by members for the benefit of other members in their own time amidst many other family and personal priorities • If you are not sure what the correct part is, please put a request for help onto the Forum. There will always be members “on line” who will be able to share their knowledge with you. 3 SECRETARY Secretary’s Spot Jim Riglar

WEBSITE ince my report last month, there have been two very productive meetings with the developer of our new website and SI am hopeful that finally we should be able to go live with our new website in the next few weeks.

NATIONAL RALLY rompted by my own failings, I must take this opportunity to remind those of you planning to go to Thoresby for our PNational Rally in August, if you have not already do so, to get your applications in to Ben Gadsby. You have until the 20th July to do so, if you want a programmed entry. The entry form was issued with Morris Monthly a couple of months ago. If you have mislaid your copy, you can obtain one from our website and also book on-line via the website. As for my failings, well, months ago, I booked accommodation at Warner’s Thoresby via Malcolm Dixon; I had however forgotten to send in my rally entry form, and have just corrected that oversight!

NATIONAL RALLY Thoresby Thoughts ORGANISER Ben Gadsby MORRIS REGISTER NATIONAL RALLY AND MORRIS VEHICLES ASSOCIATION RALLY 9-11 AUGUST ntry forms for this year’s rally have been steadily falling through my letterbox but there is always space for more cars, Eparticularly Eights. There are only a few days to go before the 20th July deadline for applications to be received for entry in to this year’s National Rally programme. Applications received after this date will still be very welcome and will be eligible to be judged but will not appear in the programme. You will notice on the entry form a tick box for the road run and for the gymkhana. I have added these to help us to print the right amount of route plans and instructions. If you have not tried these in previous years, give them a go. They are great fun and you get to see some of the beautiful countryside around Thoresby. Don’t forget the bulletin board in the marquee where you can place notices for those elusive parts you are missing or want to get rid of to make space for others. If you are able to bring a raffle prize or two we are raising money for this year’s charity Macmillan Cancer Care. Events like this rely on volunteers to help make it run smoothly from start to finish. There is a very small band of us that organise and set the rally up but we need your help to run it over the weekend. If you are able to spare a little of your time to help particularly with marshalling on Sunday please come and see me in Rally Control. Your help is always greatly appreciated, even more so this year with the other clubs attending. A REMINDER TO LAST YEAR’S PRIZEWINNERS: Please arrange to return your trophy to me either before by post or at the event. Trophies should be engraved with your name and in a clean condition ready for presentation. Keep the receipt and I will make sure you get reimbursed. Thank you. The final touches to this year’s event are now being put in place and we are looking forward to welcoming you to Thoresby. We are making every effort to make sure this weekend is as enjoyable as it possibly can be, but it will be nothing without you so please return your entries as soon as possible and let’s make sure the Morris Register put on a really good show for this MVA year. I look forward to meeting as many of you as possible over the course of the weekend. Happy Morris motoring. Ben Gadsby 01623 835 771 or 07999 869 572 [email protected]

4

Morris Register & Morris Vehicle Association Rally Thoresby Park, Nottinghamshire NG22 9EP 9th – 11th August 2019

Please join us at the beautiful Thoresby Hall in the heart of Sherwood Forest for our national rally . Entry from Friday 9th August . Plenty of space for camping, caravans and motorhomes. . Camping available through to Monday morning . Craft beer available at the bar . Catering available all weekend . Free rally programme for pre-booked entries . Autojumble Stalls open Saturday and Sunday . Club Shop, Spares and Membership in the marquee . Raffles in aid of Macmillan Cancer Care . Saturday Gymkhana and Treasure hunt road run . Live music from the very talented Andy McKay. . Thoresby Colliery Band Sunday afternoon . Concours judging Sunday afternoon . Prize presentation 3pm Sunday afternoon . £6 per person entry for the entire weekend . £7 per night per tent/caravan/motorhome

5 Warm Welcome New and returning members

NO. MEMBER LOCATION eMAIL CAR DETAILS

14546 Rodney Traylor Hampshire PO16 1937 Eight Series 1 2 Seater

14547 Roger Hurt Dorset BH6 [email protected] Peter & 14548 Margaret Duffus Aberdeenshire AB15 [email protected] 1938 Eight Series 2 Tourer Northumberland 14549 Alistair Snowden NE24 [email protected] 1946 Eight Series E 2 Door saloon Kevin Morton & 14550 Kathryn Gazzard N.Yorks YO41 [email protected] 1946 Eight Series E 2 Door saloon Toni & 14551 Elena Jung 8153 Switzerland [email protected] 1937 Eight Series 1 Mail Terry Corcoran & Lancashire L39 14552 Kath Wildman [email protected] 1935 Eight Series 1 Tourer Wendy & 14553 Kevin Cage N.Yorks DL8 [email protected] 1939 Eight Series E 4 Door sliding head 14554 Martin Aldridge Devon EX5 [email protected] 1934 10/4 Pre Series 4 Door sliding head

14555 Alexander Edwards Antrim BT27 [email protected] 1948 Eight Series E 2 Door sliding head Commercial 14556 Roger Vinton Kent DA2 [email protected] 1927 T Type Box Vvan 14558 Stewart Webb Angus DD8 [email protected] 1935 Eight Series 1 2 Door sliding head Lloyd & 14559 Megan Bestwick Leicestershire LE12 [email protected] 14560 John Rudd Norfolk IP20 [email protected] 1939 Eight Series E Tourer

Andrew & 1936 Eight Series 1 2 Door sliding head 14561 Joan Blackledge Lancashire PR7 [email protected] 1934 10/4 Pre Series Special coupé

14562 Gavin Harrison Tasmania 7053 [email protected]

14563 Pardeep Chahall Warwickshire CV6 [email protected]

14564 Geoffrey Reiss W.Yorks LS6 [email protected] Kenneth & 14565 Paul Allies Staffordshire WS11 [email protected] 1946 Eight Series E 4 Door sliding head 14566 Brian Sparrow Dorset DT5 [email protected] 1937 Eight Series 1 Tourer Debbie & 14567 Colin Reid Notts NG10 [email protected] 1935 Eight Series 1 Saloon 14568 Hans Peter Hviid BDK 7080 Denmark [email protected] 1935 Eight Pre Series 2 Seater

14569 David Lucas W.Sussex BN12 [email protected] 1935 12/4 Pre Series Tourer

14570 George Crowe Co. Down BT22 [email protected] 1935 Eight Pre Series 2 Seater special

14571 Robert Upton Hertfordshire AL3 1935 Eight Pre Series 2 Seater

1935 MORRIS EIGHT What’s it Worth? Vintage Special

dvertised at www.classiccarsforsale.co.uk, the vendor states: A"Vintage Sports Special, Lea Francis evocation. Built to the highest professional standards on a stengthened Morris Eight chassis, road legal and registered in UK. Ideal for track days, trials, rallying, hill climbing or just general nostalgic pottering about. Rebuilt 948cc Healey Sprite engine fitted, with twin SUs and trumpets, mated to a meticulously made, polished, external exhaust system. Matching 4 speed gearbox. To professionally replicate the design and construction of a similar historic sportscar would today, I think, cost in excess of £40,000!" Answer on Page 46

6 Younger Members Initiative he last month has gone really well, I managed to clean and polish and Tnow the body panels have a deep shine. I have been really impressed with the lack of coolant and oils the car has used. Over the last few weeks I have got out to a couple of shows and have used the car when the weather has permitted. Sunday 19th May Weather was forecasted to be dry in the morning, turning to scattered showers early afternoon. So we set of at 7 am for our first rally in the Morris loan car at the Chiltern Hills Vintage Vehicle Rally (Classic Car) near Aylesbury. The weather was not in our favour as it was thick fog, so I was also glad to get the wiper to work last weekend, as with the moisture in the air, it came in handy. However, my father had to keep leaning out to wipe the exterior of the screen as this model only had a wiper on the driver's side. Making our way though the Hertfordshire, Bedfordshire and Buckinghamshire countryside we arrived around 9 am and made our way to the Morris Register club stand where fellow members welcomed us (see top photo). There were around 1000 vehicles on show ranging from commercials, modern day classic cars, down to vehicles from the early 1900s. The weather improved throughout the day with the sun eventually coming out, so for the journey home we decided to lower the roof. However, this didn’t last for long as after 10 minutes of driving we had to stop to raise the roof! If you are looking for a packed show with plenty of vehicles from all periods to see, the Chiltern Hills Vintage Vehicle Rally should be on your list to attend next year. Monday 27th May After a hectic couple of days over the weekend it was nice to have another Bank Holiday Monday off, so we headed out for a drive into the countryside but ended up eventually in the village of Bassingbourn which was a former RAF base and home to the Memphis Belle during World War 2. Sunday 2nd June We attended the Cambridgeshire County Show at the National Trust Estate of Wimpole. This was in conjunction with my place of work, EMG Motor Group Mitsubishi Duxford. We combined the modern technology of plug-in hybrid vehicles and 4x4 pick ups with the tradition of the Morris. The Morris was a great crowd puller to the stand with many of the younger generations looking around the car and taking photos (see photo 2nd from the top). Sunday 9th June Had to do some shopping today, so as the sun was shining, I lowered the roof to head over to B&Q Stevenage and Tesco (see 3rd photo down). Sunday 16th June The day started out wet but with drier weather forecast for the day I took my father out for a drive for Father's Day, so once again headed over to Sutton, Bedfordshire for another photo opportunity outside the 13th century church. Once back, it was time for another clean before parking up for the evening (see bottom photo). Monday 17th June Headed over to the Bucks Head, Little Wymondley for the monthly noggin. As the weather was dry for a change I decided to take the Morris for an evening drive. With the daylight fading we decided to head back home before it got too dark, as it was my first drive with the headlights on. Having been used to modern high intensity headlamps I was glad to be back before it got fully dark! Hopefully the rainy weather will stop soon so I can enjoy the car fully as the weekdays seem to be drier then the weekends and being a younger driver work does get in the way of playing. Remember if you are a follower of Facebook please like http://www.facebook.com/morrisreg if not, don’t worry, as there will be regular updates in the Morris Monthly. Thank you all once again for this opportunity and I look forward to seeing as many people as possible at Thoresby in August or over the 2019 summer. Loan Car Insurance kindly donated by 7 May on the Forum Forum Files Bob Williams

n May the 25,000 individual post was posted on the Forum, these relating to well over 3,300 topics. In addition there Ihave been over 3,000 posts in the adverts section and 74 posts on 22 topics in the Technical Section. Many of our members are being helped on the Forum, have you still to benefit? It is always nice to see new members starting new posts, I have included 2 this month. In each case their cars are a long way from where they were originally manufactured. Harris posted: Hi from a tiny scottish island. “Just joined the Register. Picked up a 1938 Morris 8 on the island here for the princely sum of £450 the other week. A literal barn find…“ (See photos). “Was amazed to find something so old cheaply locally. Right place right time really and we were quick off the mark getting there with the cash before everyone else. My wife spotted it online on a local selling page and we seized the opportunity. She had been looking for a classic car project for me last year for my 40th birthday to no luck at all. Getting A project in Harris anything unusual here is really hard. Incomplete as you can see, but fairly solid. Bottom sills and areas hidden by mudguards will need remade. Bottom couple inches of every door. Mountain of badly done filler and fibreglass patchwork to keep it on the road it seems. Rest of bodyshell above that is all thick good metal really. A few repairs round rain gutters on sides and underneath back window rubber seals, etc. Overall though, pretty solid. Just time and effort. Engine turns over smoothly with a couple fingers on pulley with plugs out. Couple fingers on a spanner with plugs in so some compression there. 7 out of 8 valves opening and closing as normal (1 sticky lifter/valve by looks of it). Pretty confident the engine is saveable with full rebuild. Interior mostly missing, chassis all complete just rusty, but solid. Freewheels with one hand easily on level ground. Clutch works, gears select fine, etc. I imagine a lot of my friends think I am mad for taking on such a large restoration, but I’d like to see it saved and back on the road rather than scrapped. Prepared to spend whatever hours and money it needs over time. Can put at least an hour or two every evening after work into it and all my weekends. Sitting wrapped up in a tarpaulin outside for a few weeks till extend my garage and then it’s being brought inside and full stripdown commencing. Feel a bit guilty of it being outside, but then it’s been outside or barely covered for several decades by the looks of it so no harm done. Be a nut and bolt thorough rebuild over as many years as it takes. I have zero experience of classic cars(apart from beetles) but I’m fairly well known in motorcycle circles as spend my spare time building custom motorcycles and trikes with turbos/superchargers, etc. and a whole host of hand made parts from scratch. No idea how many bikes I’ve built from literally nothing for myself and others. Have a reasonable skillset and can fix or make just about anything. Welding gear, lathe, etc., etc. A lot of engineer friends who can cnc, or make just about anything if I get stuck along the way. I paint and airbrush motorcycles, etc. for a living so can do the paintwork, etc. too. A media blasting and powdercoating business opened up on the island last year which will save a lot of hard slog removing the rust. I would like to ask for the registers help in sorting out the paperwork for the car or pointing me in the right direction. No numberplates with the car. Car still has original vin plate on the bulkhead which is perfectly legible. Had a friend with access look at dvla records and it seems number plate is not on the dvla systems which apparently is fairly common for such early cars. Needing to fill in paperwork and apply for age related plate and V5 in my name, etc. Done a bit of research on the subject and was pointed in the Register's direction to take it further. Advised that applying for a production certificate from the British motoring museum would be a good route also. Really want to have the no. plate and V5 here in my name before I “A Tiny Scottish Island". Notice the that connects this sink far too much time and money into it… Any help island, Scalpay, to Harris main island 8 appreciated.” Richard:“Looks like you’ve taken on quite a challenge there and I wish you good luck! Is Harris your, or the island’s name? (Or both perhaps?) If the island, the wife and I will be up that way in the middle of June, would love to drop by and see the car.” David: “Looks like you’ve taken on quite a challenge! We holidayed on Scalpay a few years ago, but didn’t manage to spot this one. Good luck!” Dave: “Good find... Looks in a similar state to my 4 door in 1999 Lots of learning done at time. Mine’s shown here so good luck. http:// www.morris8cars.co.uk". Grumpyjohn: “Great stuff. You seem to have the skill set and experience to rebuild the car. A big project but will be worth it in the long run. Welcome to the Morris Register and the forum. Don’t hesitate to ask questions if you are not sure of anything during your rebuild.” Back to Harris: “Richard – yes, it is indeed Harris. Gabriele's car then and now in Rome Well spotted. Coincidentally I do own a 1980’s Harris motorcycle. I work from home anyway so you could stop by, yes. Cars not much to look at for the moment, but it’s got potential. David - aar was actually up the other end of the island. Just blind luck I found it and got there with the cash first. Meant to be I’d like to think. Dave - I’ve been through your website already gaining info. Got a long road ahead of me but I’m kind of obsessive with projects so keen to get going. Grumpyjohn – I’m certainly no expert when it comes to cars but tbh this Morris really appeals to me and has that certain mechanical simplistic nature to it in much the same way as an older motorcycle. I’ll be asking a whole load of questions and be the online shops best customer over the next few years.” Harris continued the post with questions on DVLA paperwork, etc. I wonder if the tourist visitor numbers to the isle of Harris will now be increasing? Gabriele is the next new member, from even further afield. He posted: Morris from Italy. “Hi! My name is Gabriele, I write from Italy, Rome. I’m new in the forum, I’m the owner of a ’33 Cowley 2 seater, it has a particular history, I enclose some picture. I write also to know if it is easy to find spare parts.” Gabriele was welcomed and given advice on where to obtain spares by David, Paul, Richard, Bob and Simon who posted: “Welcome and what a beautiful looking car; bellissimo.” Gabriele concluded: “thanks everyone I love this site! it’s very complete!” With Gabriele’s post and photos there was an article by Lejcko Jean Francois that explained a little of the history of the car. The Morris Cowley 11.9 hp two-seater with dickey, original registration no. DG7526, was bought new in 1933 from Wicliffe Motor Company, Cheltenham by Winifred Howard. She wanted to travel to Basrah, Iraq in the Middle East and decided to travel on her own from London. The car was equipped with an additional spare wheel, a tank to hold 2.5 gallons of water and an extra 5 gallon petrol tank installed in the dickey seat area, all clamped under the seat. She also carried some spares. Seat cushions were removed to make way for suitcase and clothing. The Forum is primarily used to seek advice on service or restoration problems but also includes references to the history or adventures with our cars which can be fascinating. Log on and tell us your storey, we find it interesting. Bob Williams ([email protected]) EDITOR’S NOTE: Any member intending to act upon advice given in the Forum or to use any products or services mentioned, is strongly recommended to read the Morris Register disclaimer at the top of page 3 of Morris Monthly. The intrepid Winifred Howard with a group of Turkish citizens 9 Items of interest Exactly Eighty from The Morris Owner magazine, July 1939 THE BIGGEST MORRIS

An interesting demonstration of its efficiency

By THE EARL OF CARDIGAN

FIND that it is always interesting, before I take a car on to a level stretch of road and allowing it to Icar out for a road test, to spend a few minutes with "idle" along in top gear. With the throttle fully closed, a catalogue studying its specification. From the book a very low level of speed was soon reached — plainly of words one can generally get an idea of what the well below the 5 or 6 mph of the average car. manufacturer had in mind when the car in question Smooth at 3 mph was designed — and the road test becomes the more Now when a car is made to run in top gear as interesting as one observes the success or otherwise slowly as this — let us say at 3 or 4 mph — there with which this theoretical conception has been Is usually some "snatching" or other irregularity by worked out in practice. way of protest. The Morris Twenty-five, on the other In the case of the Morris Twenty-five the catalogue hand, gave a wonderful exhibition of smoothness. provides quite a number of pointers. We see, first of The engine appeared perfectly content to turn over all, that it is by far the biggest of Morris cars, having indefinitely at this absurdly low rate of revolutions. an engine capacity nearly twice as great as that of any To verify the speed at which this slow-running test other model. Its coachwork is of very comfortable, took place, I actually opened the door and stepped but not enormous, dimensions: therefore its power/ out, walking alongside the car for some considerable weight ratio must be uncommonly good. distance and merely keeping one hand on the steering Good Top-gear Performance wheel. I can honestly state that I did not have to walk Then we note that the gearbox is a three-speed unit. particularly fast. Had I stepped out at my best pace Why is this? It is clearly not for reasons of economy, — probably 4 mph — I could have walked away and since other and cheaper Morris models are given left the car behind! four speeds. We can only conclude that the top-gear Finally, I applied the most severe test of all : stepping performance of the Twenty-five is intended to be of back into the car I put my foot down firmly on the so excellent a character that the other ratios will only accelerator. Please note that I did not coax the engine rarely be called into play. In other words this is to to accelerate I deliberately avoided using any skill or be a top-gear car, in which the driver can sit back subtlety whatever. comfortably, put his foot down on the accelerator, The result was very remarkable, for the engine picked and leave it to his big, smooth-running engine to do up rapidly, and without any trace of the blocking or the rest. pinking which one might have expected. It seemed to With all this in mind my road test of this Morris was treat the task of accelerating from 3} m.p.h. as quite of a special and severe type. I began by taking the a simple, everyday affair! 10 drivers — is that the steering column of the Twenty- five is now adjustable for length, and can be instantly adapted to the position of the driving seat. Brakes and Jacks The hydraulic brakes, in my opinion, are quite excellent — as such brakes almost invariably are. The beauty of hydraulic braking is that certain factors, such as the even application of power in all four brake-drums, progressive action in direct proportion to the amount of pedal pressure, etc., are inherent and may be expected as a matter of course. A jerky or uneven hydraulic brake would be something "agin' Nature". At any rate, in a fairly long experience of brakes good, bad and indifferent, I have yet to find a poor example of the hydraulic type. Talking of hydraulics, it should not be forgotten that the Twenty-five Morris is fitted with built-in Jackall The rear luggage compartment is easy hydraulic jacks. Modem tyres are so good that such of access and ample jacks may not be required for very frequent use, but when they are wanted, the fortunate possessor of Striking as this demonstration was, it must not be them will have good cause to be thankful. (I speak thought that it is only at ultra low speeds that this with feeling, for I once had to use an ordinary jack at Morris excels. On the contrary, the engine — which, 4 am, in several inches of snow, while wearing a tail of course, is a six-cylinder overhead-valve unit — coat and a white tie). behaves excellently also when it is running fast. The saloon coachwork of this model is, of course, Acceleration is consistently good up to a maximum extremely comfortable. It seats five large people in excess of 70 mph, and anything round about 60 with ease, and is more than ordinarily generous mph can be regarded as a comfortable cruising pace. in the matter of head room. There is good luggage Hill Climbing accommodation, also, and this is now — a valuable Even in hilly districts it is a fact that the lower improvement — accessible from outside the car. gears are very seldom required — so that, except on If I am to suggest a coachwork improvement I can abnormal occasions, the three speeds do everything only propose that an expert in aerodynamics should that can reasonably be asked of them. It is possible examine the guttering which leads the rain off the to exceed 50 mph in second gear, which, incidentally, roof. I suspect this of creating some little noise at the has synchromesh engagement — and this ensures higher speeds. a really good response if ever a change down is Altogether, the man or woman who appreciates a big required. car will assuredly appreciate and like this Morris. One point which I particularly like about the As to its price, if I was writing for any journal other Twenty-five gearbox is that it does not locate "first" than The MORRIS Owner, I should expatiate upon and "reverse" opposite to each other, as is the the amazingly low figure — £320 with sliding head normal practice with other gearboxes. This means — at which it is listed. Those who are familiar with that one can never accidentally touch reverse gear Morris products, however, will perhaps take such when making a change-up through the gate — an exceptional value for money as a matter of course! embarrassing error to which beginners are extremely prone, and which even old hands have been known to commit in a hasty moment! When driving fast one is able to appreciate that this Morris holds the road really well. Large cars can always be driven harder than small ones without creating the sensation of excessively high speed — but in this case there is a very definite feeling of steadiness and controllability. The springing tends to be firm rather than soft, and even at speeds in excess of 70 mph there is no need for the driver to "hang on" to his wheel, The steering must certainly be given some credit for this. It is definite in action, and centres itself well. There is no doubt, I think, that this castor effect, by which the front wheels centre themselves automatically after a corner has been taken, is liked and preferred by the great majority of motorists even though a few cars continue to be built otherwise. A further good point — and a boon to long-legged A handsome facia board and roomy cockpit with comfortably grouped controls are noticeable features

11 Brakes by the Million A tour of the Lockheed Works by F.L.M.Harris

FEW months ago Automotive Products Company Ltd. Adelivered their millionth set of British-made Lockheed hydraulic brakes. This huge production has been accomplished in little over ten The inertia test machine years, because the present giant factory for making Lockheed brakes in Leamington was not opened until 1931. Previously they had been made in quite small numbers in an earlier factory, and prior to that they had been imported from the United States, where they were originally invented by a Mr. Loughead. The spelling Lockheed was adopted because the American sponsors feared that Loughead might be awkward for people to pronounce. were the first customers for Lockheed brakes entirely produced in England, and they are, of course, fitted to all models in the Morris range, also to' all Wolseleys and MGs. The factory is a most surprising place on the outskirts of Leamington, and many readers no doubt will have passed it on their way into the town from Banbury. It has a frontage of 700 ft. on the main road and covers some fourteen acres. It is growing all the time, and on the occasion of a recent visit the Fitting the metal ends on brake hoses latest addition was a boo-ton chimney, 135 ft. high, to carry the smoke away from the boiler which is to warm the shops and offices next Winter. Borg and Beck clutches, Thompson tie-rods, aircraft components, oil filters, and marine and industrial hydraulic controls are made in shops adjacent to the main factory where the brakes are produced. Great Responsibility The making of brakes is a worrying job because of their vital nature. The all-important thing is that they must not go wrong, and in consequence one finds almost as many people testing and inspecting as there are producing. A tour of the Works can logically begin in the laboratory where all materials are analysed. Metals are tested for hardness and toughness, and rubber for its strength and durability. There are rubber cup washers in the master cylinder and in the wheel cylinders, whilst the flexible hydraulic connections are Pressure-testing the master cylinder also, of course, of rubber. All these rubber parts must be proof against the action of the Lockheed orange fluid, and they are all specially made for their respective duties. The principal lesson learnt by the visitor to laboratory is to avoid filling the container of his braking system with anything except the recommended orange fluid. When people do so and complain later to a garage that their brakes are defective, the laboratory at Leamington obtains a sample of the fluid which was in use. One such sample, which appeared to be largely engine oil, showed under test in the laboratory that rubber parts soaked in it swelled to three times their normal size in six weeks! Moving on from the laboratory to the research department, the visitor encounters a number of impressive machines which almost exactly reproduce the conditions under which car brakes have to work. Here they test complete assemblies for retarding power and wear. A general view of the brake factory 12 Pressure Tests In other parts of the factory you see components undergoing pressure tests. When a man treads heavily on his brake pedal in an emergency he exercises a pressure of about 200 lb. This loads the hydraulic pipes and cylinders to the extent of about 800 lb. per sq. in., and all components in production are tested to at least double this pressure. The rubber hoses are all tested to withstand a pressure of 3000 lb. per sq. in. and some are subjected to 4000 lb. for twenty-four hours. Approximately one per cent. are given a destruction test, the usual bursting pressure being something over 7000 lb. per sq. in. To make sure that the rubber hoses will not deteriorate on account of vibration, samples are taken and are flexed violently through ninety degrees in an electrically-driven machine for days on end. They must not expand at all or they would make the brake pedal feel spongy. So while they are under pressure Soldering fluid tanks on master cylinders their lineal and diametrical dimensions are very closely watched. If a hose ever develops a defect (perhaps in a crash) it must be replaced entirely, because the hollow bosses of the metal ends are shrunk over the rubber in a machine which exerts great pressure. Leaving the inspection and testing departments of the Lockheed factory, one finds production going ahead all in one giant shop. The shoes are rolled to their curvature from T-section steel and all the holes for the lining rivets are drilled in one operation by a machine with sixteen chucks. The linings, which are delivered from their makers moulded to shape, are pressed very firmly to the shoes while the riveting machine is at work and are then ground true so that they will bear evenly on the drum. It impresses one as being a much sounder plan than the haphazard methods of a few years ago, and the advantage of getting replacement shoes when the Multi-spindle machine drills shoes linings are worn out is very evident. Master cylinders for the larger cars are castings, but the Morris Eight model is made from steel tubing to which the fluid reservoir is soldered. Tremendous care is taken to prevent corrosion. At every stage of production iron and steel parts are continually washed in orange fluid, whilst brake-shoes, guide blocks, steady pins and hose ends are cadmium plated. All screwed parts are assembled with electric "braces" which are suspended on springs above the benches. They automatically tighten nuts and bolts exactly to the right degree. Riveting operations are also done on machines which take responsibility for the security of the job out of the operator's hands, thus ensuring that each week's output of more than 5000 sets of brakes does not contain any parts which might be incorrectly assembled owing to a mistake being made by one of the 2560 people on the pay-roll. Riveting machine in action The writer sought diligently in the Lockheed factory for any components which it might be wise for Morris owners to adjust or examine from time to time, but nowadays there are none. Your responsibility ends with ensuring that the correct orange fluid is maintained at the proper level in the reservoir. Owing to the almost perfect balance of pressure, the linings will not want renewing for about 50,000 miles. The only things which can bring their life to an earlier close are grossly excessive use of the brakes or the consistent overfilling of the back axle with oil or the front hubs with grease, causing the linings to get saturated with lubricant. So far as human ingenuity can devise, Lockheed brakes have no components which can go wrong. One leaves the factory full of contentment. As the writer's passenger remarked: "We're O.K. for stoppers." Hose undergoing pressure test 13 RECORD CARAVAN RALLY WO HUNDRED AND ONE caravans attended the TNational Rally organised by the Caravan Club at Overstone Park, near Northampton, during the Whitsun week-end. This was twenty more than last year's record in spite of the competition of rallies organised this Whitsun by other clubs. Almost every model of nearly every reputable make was represented, and this collection of , worth in all THE MILLIONTH MORRIS — Viscount Nuffield about 50,000, showed the continuous progress taking congratulating Mr. A. E. Keen, General Works place. For example, vacuum brakes are becoming Manager of Morris Motors Ltd., as the millionth noticeably more common since the Club introduced a car, a Morris 14, comes off the line on 22nd May braking competition last year. This year's competition showed that braking efficiencies of 50 and 60 per cent. FURIOUS LOITERING (on the Tapley meter) are not uncommon, while with FINE of 15s. 6d. was imposed at Middlewich vacuum brakes up to 80 per cent. can be obtained. APolice Court on a man for "obstructing the SCOTTISH RALLY by standing thereon." RS. ELSIE WISDOM, the well-known racing motorist, It was stated that the man after alighting from a Mand Mrs. Arline Needham, won the women's prize bus attempted to cross the road in front of it and for closed cars of unlimited horse-power, with a Series was knocked down by a car. "M" Morris Ten, in the Royal Scottish Automobile Club's Rally held during Whit week. Mrs. Wisdom's win is all the more notable as her Morris AN EMERGENCY AMBULANCE Ten was the smallest car driven by a woman in the Rally, Morris Eight two-door saloon has been fitted and had to compete against many cars three times as Awith stretchers and carrying gear with a novel powerful. application. The apparatus is the invention of Mr. This car is the identical Morris Ten which made the H. C. Lunt, of Oakdene, Pensby Road, Barnston, record run, for a car of this size, from Ankara, in One patient only is carried, but it is possible for Asiatic Turkey, to London, in August last year. The time a nurse or other attendant to minister to the occupied for the whole 2000 miles journey across some casualty through the sliding roof, which is in no of the worst in Europe was under one week. way interfered with by the cradle fitting.

RECORD BREAKING MG — On the 31st May, in Berlin, this MG broke 3 International Class G 1100cc records at 200 mph, driven by Major A.J.T.Gardner. The car is seen here THE MILLIONTH MORRIS — The car was presented with Mr. Cecil Kimber, Viscount Nuffield, Major Gardner to Guy's Hospital, who are organising a competition and Mr. Reid Railton, who designed the body in connection with it. Tickets are obtainable for 1s. The complete edition of The Morris Owner for July 1939 is available as a pdf on the website. Other items of interest include: • Decarbonising and Valve Grinding (Series M Ten) • From Cradle to Cockpit (bio of Major A.T.G.Gardner) • 60 mph Crash to Order (involving two Morris Tens) 14 PICTURES OF THE MONTH ITEMS OF INTEREST FROM ALL SOURCES

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1. AT BROOKLANDS. P. L. Monkhouse and H. Stuart Wilson, in MGs (8 and 9). getting off the mark in the start of the third Whitsun handicap 2. TRIAL BY ORDEAL. J. C. Kennedy (Wolseley) sailing confidently through the water at Burnbrae in the Caledonian M.C.'s half-day trial 3. PARKING TEST. R. M. Bateman parks his MG as requisite in the kerb test at Pitlochry, in the 6 Scottish Rally 4. RETURN OF A RECORD BREAKER. Major A. T. G. Gardner is greeted at the London terminus on his return from Germany by Capt.G. E. T. Eyston 5. A SUSSEX CUSTOM. At South Harting free beer is distributed to those of its menfolk who attend church in accordance with the terms of an ancient custom 6. THE SCOTTISH RALLY. Mrs. E. M. Wisdom taking her Morris Ten around one of the pylons in the figure eight test at Aberfoyle on the fourth day 15 The Morris Mirror Tom Bourne his month we will look at the October 1946 issue of the Morris Mirror. TThe worst of the war-time austerity is now beginning to wear off, and the quality of the paper used for the Morris Mirror has improved slightly. The page count for this little in-house magazine has increased from 16 to 24, and the previous all-black type now uses green for the title block and headings on every page. The price though is still one penny, surely a bargain for the austerity-weary workers at Cowley. Those workers have now been producing the Morris 8 series E and the Morris 10 series M for a year, with the production lines for tanks and aircraft now only a memory. However, this magazine is not about cars, but about the people who made them, and the cover photo this month is one of a series of camera studies by regular contributor Cyril Hodgkins. The Cowley fire brigade sent a team to the Nuffield Organisation Invitation Fire Brigade Competitions held on the Engines Branch Sports Ground, Coventry, on the 7th September. The Cowley team achieved three firsts, and one second, and this performance brought the cup back to Cowley. Engines Branch came a close second. The presence of Mr AE Keen, Works Director, and Mr Pringle, Works Engineer, supporting the Brigade’s efforts was greatly appreciated. In these days of “Dietary Requirements” it is interesting to note the introduction of “Special Diets for Gastric Cases” in the Cowley canteen. The editor goes on: “arrangements are in hand by the canteen to provide, where required, special diets for those suffering from gastric troubles. Anyone who wishes to take advantage of this service should communicate with Mr Dudley, Welfare Dept.” Claude the Canteen Cat is back with 1 his page of gossip about various people, and concludes by saying: “If the gentleman(?) who put the snail in the table salt in the Main Hall of the Canteen on Thursday 19th September, will call on Mr Eldridge he will hear something that will not be to his advantage”. The Athletic Club’s second annual Musical Festival was reported as a triumph of organisation, with no fewer than seven venues being needed. The Viscount Nuffield Challenge Shield and prize of £10 10s. 0d. for Male Voice Choirs was won by the Oxford Welsh Glee Singers, while the St Cecilia Singers from Rushden carried off the Sir Miles Thomas Challenge Cup and the same prize money for the best Mixed Voice Choir. Sir Miles and Lady Thomas were unable to be present to distribute the prizes owing to “the exigencies of air travel”. Mr JR Woodcock, the Works Manager, deputised for Sir Miles both at a lunch for the adjudicators and at the prize-giving. Freddie Morris started work twenty-two years ago (1924) in the Paint Shop, with the idea of staying for 12 months, but stayed on and now at the age of seventy-four he feels it is time for him to retire. His colleagues in the Mounting Line Stores described him as a “wonderful old man”. The reporter thought that “wonderful” was an understatement, and thought that he was incredible, “small, dapper, with immaculate white hair he looks, talks and acts like a man twenty-five years younger”. Freddie said that skipping, together with breathing exercises for his beloved singing, were responsible for his youthfulness. Also retiring this month was sixty-six-year-old Ernie Carter from Repair Shop after thirty-three years’ service. He had started work at the age of fourteen for Parkers’ Cycle Shop in their workshop in Worcester Place. Also working at Parkers at that time was a “young boy named Morris, whose rise to fame has no greater admirer than his former workmate”. The report goes on: “Ernie started work on the first famous bull-nosed models in the old Military College during 1913, at sixpence per hour, which was thought good pay in those days. His happiest memories are of his employment in the Mystery Shop, as it was then called, with Mr Keen on experimental work.” At the other end of the age scale was twenty-two-year-old Hedley Hunnisett from Drawing Office, who was the first winner of a Nuffield Engineering Scholarship. Valued at £250 per annum, this enabled Hedley to enter Birmingham University. The scholarship was open to engineering apprentices who had completed a minimum of three years with the Nuffield Organisation. The reporter spent a day in the Tool Room interviewing staff who had completed twenty-five years’ service with the firm. “The Tool Room is a place where accuracy and concentration count above all else, and here 2 one finds men who work in thousandths of an inch, craftsmen who retain a personal pride in their workmanship and who tend their Frankenstein 16 machines with a meticulous and touching devotion.” Charlie Hinton, who worked on centre lathe, said that he "first came to Cowley in 1915, at the age of fourteen, when he was employed in the old “E” Department, then turning out trench mortars and shells. His wages at that time were twopence an hour. Charlie, who helped to form the Works’ first football team, joined the Tool Room in 1919, and there he has remained, without any desire to leave.” George Crooke was the next to be interviewed. He also had joined the firm as a boy of fourteen in 1915, starting in Service Department, then called Sundries, with Jack Woodgate. His clock number then was 58, which represented the entire complement of works staff. George spoke of William Morris, or W.R.M. as he was then known, working at the bench during the night shift, after carrying out his normal duties of the day, because production had fallen into arrears. George remembered having to work overtime whenever four cars a day were required. Entering another room through a wire gate the reporter found a most impressive machine called a jig-borer being tended by Mr Bunyan, who chose not to remember much of what had happened since he joined the firm in 1916, as it was rather a long time ago! Harry Emanuel joined the firm in 1916, but could not take his mind back beyond 1923. “The subject of Gabriel Snubbers* is one which should be touched upon very lightly when 3 he is around. There were hundreds of them, stack upon stack, piled high to the roof, all having studs which were a little too long, and Harry was given the task of sawing them off. It was a job which took him many long weeks, and one that has left its mark upon an otherwise carefree disposition!” Next to be interviewed this month is Works Superintendent Richard (Dick) Couch. In 1928, at the age of 18, he had left his home, and his job at Hewens’ Garage in Reading, to come to Morris Motors Ltd. His big break came in 1934 when he devised a speedy method of fitting new valve springs to a batch of engines received from Engines Branch. His method so impressed Mr W Gowers, who was responsible for the replacements, that Dick was offered a position as rate fixer for the Tuning Department. From here he rose to become Chief Rate Fixer in 1941, a position he held until the recent retirement of Mr F Welch, when he became Works Superintendent. Dick was a keen member of the Works Fire Brigade, which he joined in 1932, and in which he rose to Third Officer. Arthur Baxter worked in the Chassis Drawing Office, and in a full- page article he recounts his lifetime ambition to track down some art masterpieces that had gone missing from his family at the end of the nineteenth century. He eventually tracked them down in 1935 to a dealer in Bath. The pictures were now hanging in his home in Brill. This story is, for us, incidental to the photo of Mr Baxter taken in 1919 at the wheel of his 1912 Morris. On the back cover this month is an advert for the Morris Motors Dramatic 4 Society October production of “Quiet Week-end”, a comedy by Esther McCracken. *the type of shock absorbers fitted to early Bullnose Morrises 5

Photos: 1. Front Cover of Morris Mirror, October 1946 2. Freddie Morris retired at age 74 3. Ernie Carter retired at age 66 4. Richard Crouch became Works Superintendent this year 5. Arthur Baxter at the wheel of his 1912 Morris Oxford Standard model, photograph taken in 1919.

Digital enhancement by Ken Martin

17 avid Yule had great success in the major Irish motor races and hill climbs held in 1935-39, with his 970cc supercharged DMorris Eight ‘CMY Special’. The car was the joint product of R D Cox and Yule and the initials came from Cox-Morris-Yule. It is seen here on the left starting the 154-mile Leinster Trophy Handicap Race on a road circuit at Tallaght Village, Dublin, on 16th July 1938. The Irish Motor Racing Club’s handicapping system allowed distinctly different cars to take part in its races so that for example in the 1937 Leinster Trophy Race, Yule’s Morris won with the famous Thai prince - ‘B Bira’ - second in a Maseratti. The car’s performance was increased dramatically as shown by the average speeds at the 100-mile Phoenix Park races of 1936 and 37 when the Morris’s average speeds rose from 61 to 78mph. The CMY Morris Eight Special became famous during its brief period as a frontrunner in Irish handicap races. It would be good to find out more about this car. [Motor Sport Images - Autocar Print: 22nd July 38]

ouring Western Scotland in a beautiful new Jaguar 3.5 litre ‘100’ in 1938. Perfect! The wonderful view is across Loch TLinnhe to Corran lighthouse, which was built in 1857. [Motor Sport Images: Autocar Print 26th Aug 38]

18 busy summer’s day in The Market Place, A Pickering, Yorkshire. A c1928 Morris Cowley ‘Three-Quarters Fixed Head Coupé’ is parked amongst the foreground gathering. [Ken Martin’s Collection]

The name of this car in the 1929 Morris Motors brochure is ‘The 17.7hp Morris Six Club Coupé’ - no mention being made of the contractor responsible for the coachwork - Gordon England Ltd. whose works were at the Palace of Industry in Wembley, NW London. The bodies were special insofar as they had a ridged structure, but flexible rubber mountings at three points; the aim being to reduce rattles and other noise. The 6-cylinder ohc 2468cc engine and the chassis of this car were the same as the standard saloon and the price was just £9 more. This example is with its owner Mrs M Weeks in the concours d’elegance section of the Brighton Motor Rally on 5th July 1929 in which it came first in Class 7 – ‘Any Car Under £400 owned and driven by a lady’. Note that the car cost £399! Mrs Weeks did not feature in the rally’s road section results. [Motor Sport Images Plate B2280]

Some photographs appear with thanks to MOTOR SPORT IMAGES. For further information concerning copies or the reproduction of any images thus attributed, please send an email enquiry to [email protected] mentioning Morris Monthly with the image reference number. Important notice: Images may have been cropped and subject to digital enhancement here and hence differ from those supplied by Motor Sport Images. 19 85 not out! n 9th June 1934 at Shelsley OWalsh, Worcs, Barbara Skinner competed in the 'White Minor' Skinner Special for the very first time and embarked on a short but highly successful motor sporting career. To mark this important 85th anniversary, current long-term custodian David Baldock has returned the car to its original colour and placed his daughter Kate behind the wheel for this evocative photograph. All that is missing from this photo is the black beret Barbara wore for that well known first publicity shot. (Part two of Glamour, Danger and Fast Females will appear in August as the 2019 PWMN Rally Report has used the available space this month). [Photo: David Baldock] The 2019 PWMN Moonrakers' Rally, 7th-9th June une 2019 saw the 10th PWMN rally and this year we returned to the old market town of Marlborough, Wilts, on the Jnorth edge of Salisbury Plain, with Marlborough resident and long-term Minor owner Ken Martin and his wife Kate stepping up as hosts. The customary Friday evening welcome and the Sunday evening farewell were held at the Castle and Ball Inn on the High . On the Friday the rather nice glossy rally handbooks, packed full of information about the following two days of tours around surrounding , were handed out - along with the all-important picnic lunch and cream tea vouchers - as old friendships were re-kindled and new ones made. The rally was named "moonrakers" after an 18th century legend about Wiltshire smugglers who avoided arrest by passing excisemen as they were retrieving barrels of brandy they'd hidden in a lake by pretending they were simpletons who were raking the reflection of the moon on the water because they thought it was cheese. Whilst that may or may not be true, the Moonrakers' rally certainly looks set to achieve legendary status in the PWMN annals thanks to the impressive line-up of 21 Minors, plus several Wolseley Hornets, three MGs and an Austin, with models ranging from a rare special coupe to tourers, two-seaters, semi-sports and saloons (both overhead cam and sidevalve), spanning 1929 to 1934. The Minor, of course, gave birth to the MG Midget and Wolseley Hornet, both close relatives to the . Saturday morning saw all 27 pre-war cars and four moderns, crewed by around 60 eager rallyists, assembling at St George's Church in Manton before heading off on the day's 82-mile drive around central and southern Wiltshire. Young enthusiast Dan Brockway had been burning a lot of Rallyists begin assembling at Marlborough Golf Club before the start of Sunday's tour midnight oil to rebuild 20 the engine of his unrestored, oily rag, 1932 saloon and was looking forward to clocking up some miles to run it in but sadly suffered a leaking carburettor float, which made him and dad Derek non- starters (although happily they were able to swap to a modern to still take part in the drive). The rest of us shaked, rattled and rolled our way to a coffee stop in Amesbury via chocolate-box villages, B roads and leafy lanes dodging another young club member Andrew Miles along the way who had to pull over just around a blind bend to tighten some pesky self-loosening A colourful collection of Minors taking a short break en-route wheel nuts on his special coupe! Fortunately he was soon on his way again and although a clutch of rallyists sailed past the entrance to the coffee stop after forgetting the golden rule of 'do whatever the instructions say rather than blindly following the car in front', it wasn't long before everyone was back on track and tucking in to tea, coffee and biscuits. Once back on the road, the route took us through sunshine and showers almost to Salisbury via the beautiful Woodford Valley, and then across to the Prince Leopold Inn at Upton Lovell for lunch, where, between polishing off pre-ordered picnics or a la carte dishes, rallyist Trevor Wilkinson served up the day's tastiest treat - a working float from the stash of spares beneath his Minor seat to get Dan Brockway's car back on the road for Sunday. Appetites satisfied, Wiltshire's winding lanes beckoned again, taking us back north past white chalk horses on hillsides, fields of poppies and mock village Copehill Down (where our soldiers practice urban warfare) on Salisbury Plain and through the odd sharp shower. After stopping for fuel, Roger and Inka Burnett were the second to suffer a breakdown but fortunately it proved to be temporary after no less than three fellow rallyists vied for the honour of offering up a spare coil. Camaraderie at its best. Last stop of the day was in the remote Millstream pub at Marden for a delicious cream tea before heading back to Marlborough. The route was designed to be 82 miles although some may have Dan Brockway receives the 'Weekend Break' award from Toby Sears done more! It certainly whetted our appetites for the dinner and awards presentation at Marlborough Golf Club that evening. The dinner is an informal affair and this year a hot buffet worked very well. The Gregory Award for furthest travelled by a pre-war car (not including sea or trailered mileage) was won by Arie Roest who came over from Holland in his Hornet, while his wife Tineke also won the LAT Plate awarded to the independently-judged winner of the PWMN photo of the year competition which also provides images for the club calendar. The Harry Edwards Memorial Trophy for advancing the marque went to Tony Gamble who has saved and restored many, many Minors over five decades. The Brian Maeers Claret Jug for enthusiasm for Morris Minors went to Avril Ovendon and her 1931 two-seater, Final award was The Weekend Break trophy. Usually awarded to the first terminal breakdown at the rally in order to cheer up the owners, picking a 'winner' was difficult in 2019 as generosity of spirit and spare parts saw both Dan Brockway and Roger Burnett back on the road for Sunday (with no terminal breakdowns over the whole weekend for possibly the first time). However, as Dan broke down first, he gets to show off the trophy on his mantlepiece A winding procession through a delightful river valley 21 for a year. Last, but by no means least, Ken Martin was thanked for the considerable time and effort he put in to planning such a well Dan Brockway had been burning a lot of midnight oil to rebuild the engine of his unrestored, oily rag, 1932 saloon and was looking forward to clocking up some miles to run it in but sadly suffered a leaking carburettor float, which made him and dad Derek non-starters (although happily they were able to swap to a modern to still take part in the drive). The rest of us shaked, rattled and rolled our way to a coffee stop in Amesbury via chocolate-box villages, B roads and leafy lanes dodging another young club member Andrew Miles along the way who had to pull over just around a blind bend to tighten some Two 1929 Minor Tourers high in the downs pesky self-loosening wheel nuts on his special coupe! Fortunately he was soon on his way again and although a clutch of rallyists sailed past the entrance to the coffee stop after forgetting the golden rule of 'do whatever the instructions say rather than blindly following the car in front', it wasn't long before everyone was back on track and tucking in to tea, coffee and biscuits. Once back on the road, the route took us through sunshine and showers almost to Salisbury via the beautiful Woodford Valley, and then across to the Prince Leopold Inn at Upton Lovell for lunch, where, between polishing off pre-ordered picnics or a la carte dishes, rallyist Trevor Wilkinson served up the day's tastiest treat - a working float from the stash of spares beneath his Minor seat to get Dan Brockway's car back on the road for Sunday. Appetites satisfied, Wiltshire's winding lanes beckoned again, taking us back north past white chalk horses on hillsides, fields of poppies and mock village Copehill Down (where our soldiers practice urban warfare) on Salisbury Plain and through the odd sharp shower. After stopping for fuel, Roger and Inka Burnett were the second to suffer a breakdown but fortunately it proved to be temporary after no less than three fellow rallyists vied for the honour of offering up a spare coil. Camaraderie at its best. Last stop of the day was in the remote Millstream pub at Marden for a delicious cream tea before heading back to Marlborough. The route was designed to be 82 miles although some may have done more! It certainly whetted our appetites for the dinner and awards presentation at Marlborough Golf Club that evening. The dinner is an informal affair and this year a hot buffet worked very well. The Gregory Award for furthest travelled by a pre-war car (not including sea or trailered mileage) was won by Arie Roest who came over from Holland in his Hornet, while his wife Tineke also won the LAT Plate awarded to the independently-judged winner of the PWMN photo of the year competition which also provides images for the club calendar. The Harry Edwards Memorial Trophy for advancing the marque went to Tony Gamble who has saved and restored many, many Minors over five decades. The Brian Maeers Claret Jug for enthusiasm for Morris Minors went to Avril Ovendon and her 1931 two-seater, Final award was The Weekend Break trophy. Usually awarded to the first terminal breakdown at the rally in order to cheer up the owners, picking a 'winner' was difficult in 2019 as generosity of spirit and spare parts saw both Dan Brockway and Roger Burnett back on the road for Sunday (with no terminal breakdowns over the whole weekend for possibly the first time). However, as Dan broke down first, he gets to show off the trophy on his mantlepiece for a year. Last, but by no means least, Ken Martin was thanked for the considerable time and effort he put in to planning such a well fellowship. Thank you, Ken and Kate for making it happen and to all the rallyists for making it such fun. The Sears arrive at Marlborough Golf Club, Sunday am Toby and Linda Sears 22 Morris Eight Differential Rebuild (Part 5) Simon Hadley Editor's Note: This article originally appeared on the Forum in the Technical Articles section, but given that only about a quarter of members access the Forum, it seemed sensible to feature it, in episodes, in Morris Monthly

6. Assembling the Crown Wheel and Differential Gears It's important to note two points when reassembling the halves of the differential gear housing and its bearings. First, you will notice that the housing halves are slightly different thicknesses, but more importantly that one half has semi- circular cut outs round each of the six bolt holes (top right image). These allow clearance for a socket or ring spanner on the six respective nuts. Secondly, while the two bearings are the same they both have a slightly raised inner race on one side, the other side being flush with the bearing's outer race. The raised side is called the ‘thrust side’ and will need to be fitted correctly, as described later. You can see the raised centre section of the bearing in the bottom left image.

As mentioned when stripping down the diff, one of these bearings is a slide fit, the other is a press fit. On the crown wheel side, having had to remove it with a puller it will need fitting with a press, or to be drifted on firmly with a drift and copper mallet. Placing the crown wheel half, which does not have the machined socket cut outs, on the press, we pressed the first bearing on with the raised thrust centre side down — see right.

23 N.B.: The bearings should be given a squirt of WD40 so that they’re not running dry; but NOT diff oil at this stage which could affect setting the backlash later on. Once pressed on it is important to check that there are no burrs and no oil or grease on the machined face. Use a fine file to gently remove any burrs. Next, smear a drop of oil over all the following parts and inside the differential gear housings, then drop the two larger sun gears into each half housing. Having slid the two planet gears back onto their planet gear shaft, drop these in as shown right.

You may need to tap home the pin of the planet gear shaft into its locating hole in the housing, using a brass drift only. Check that the second half of the differential gear housing has no burrs, as with the first half, and use a fine file to remove any. Lower the two housing halves together. When offering these two halves together make sure to align the markings made when dismantling. Grip the crown wheel in a vice with soft jaw guards, noting the small indent on the crown wheel and corresponding lug on the differential gear housing. Obviously these need to be lined up. Once together, insert each of the six bolts with their heads on the crown wheel side, and fit the nuts on the side with the socket cut outs. These bolts had to be gently tapped through as they are a very good tight fit. Tighten the nuts equally in a cross sequence. Once tight, fit split pins to all six as in the bottom right image below.

Now that the differential gears and crown wheel are assembled you will need to check that all is working correctly and runs freely in both directions. Using a half shaft gripped in the vice, slide the assembly onto the half shaft and spin it, then remove and check that it spins on the opposite side. If it feels slightly harder to spin on one side don’t worry, as once running with proper diff oil it will free up. This check is purely precautionary to prevent having to dismantle later if there were a problem.

24 Drop the second (loose fit) bearing onto the differential gear housing side with the raised thrust side facing inwards towards the housing. If rotating freely the crown wheel and differential gear are now fully assembled; see bottom right image above.

to be continued

25 John's Jottings John Nagle How to stop the hydraulic fluid falling out of the braking system on Minors and Eights! (1932 Family Eights excluded) recently had a problem with Ihydraulic fluid loss from the master cylinder on my Minor, and so I decided to fit a new set of seals. I stripped the unit down, cleaned it and fitted the new set. I re-installed the unit and lo and behold it still leaked. After much gnashing of teeth and tantrums I went through the process again and at the same time consulted the printed word on the subject, "The Complete Morris Minor" (I am glad I wrote it!) to make sure I had not installed the seals incorrectly. A closer inspection at this stage revealed that a copper washer was stuck inside the outlet union (part E54 in the diagram above). This is not shown in the exploded diagram and is only revealed in the other diagram if you enlarge it. I am still considering whether to complain to myself or to Morris Motors for publishing incomplete information! I have highlighted the washer in red in the enlarged version shown. On removal I found it to be not in good order, but as it is a strange size I carefully cleaned both it and the inside of the union before reassembling and fitting it to the car. This time the fluid stayed put and all is now well. It strikes me that it would be a good idea if this washer was included in the rubber seal replacement kit, as it may well be causing grief to other owners. Or is it yet another example of the ingress of treacle into my car!

Frank’s interpretation of my leaky washer is not exactly what I had in mind!

26 Going Places and Doing Things in your Car here has been an on going discussion for some time about the National Rally, and in recent years of the dwindling Tattendance. Well, in the last three months I have attended three well organised and well attended events that involved driving my car and having two mini holidays included. These were a day out and lunch organised by Toby Sears for Drive-it-Day and a five day event staying in Hampshire touring and visiting interesting places organised by Jim and Anne Riglar.

Then at the beginning of June, the Pre-War Minor Network, run by Chris Lambert, (the Register associated Club) held its annual rally based in Marlborough, organised this year by Ken and Kate Martin. The Rally took in some of England's most picturesque and unheralded villages. This unnamed gem above appeared around a bend in the road and gave those taking part a very pleasant surprise. Here Chris and Sue Hipwood in their fully renovated 1934 Saloon follow the Morris Eight of Gary and Anne Keys (Register members from the Alsace region of France) along the village's deserted main street. What a splendid three days, blessed with a fine window of weather. Above all lots of opportunities to navigate our cars through delightful countryside and to spend time with like minded people doing what we like best. Eating and drinking and yarning about our beloved cars and of course proposing a few toasts to cement the relationships! If Register members are willing to travel from France with their Morris Eight to the events I describe when only three Eights entered Thoresby Rally last year it must prove something. So don't agonise over the same old static events. Get out and use your car in driving events, and more power to the elbows of the members who organise them.

27 Regional Round Up THE RED R SE North West Region inc. N. Ireland and Isle of Man EDITOR: Tom Taylor, 01772 316 598, [email protected] SECRETARY: Neil Truslove, 01204 598 526, [email protected]

try to avoid mixing up my other club interests and activities with Imaterial for Red Rose, but I will make an exception on this occasion since there is a Register theme in there somewhere. Kate and I spent a lovely five days on the Isle of Man last month with colleagues from the Preston Vintage Car Club, having done something similar six years ago. Amongst our party were Stuart and Wendy Cooke who were once involved with North West Region administration back in the 1980s. They re-joined the Register last year and were in their 1923 Bullnose Oxford two seater, the actual car that in 1963 featured in a famous BP promotional silent film ‘The Home Made Car’. If you like reminiscing about wandering around scrap yards, four star petrol at 3/- a gallon, spray painting with a cylinder Hoover and the rag and bone man with a horse and cart, then I recommend you take a look at this delightful film on YouTube. Incidentally, in addition to running the Bullnose Oxford, Stuart is involved with a club for Morris Specials and is restoring a significant McEvoy Minor, (does anyone have a Zoller for it?). Also staying at our hotel whilst filming on the island were Henry Cole and Sam Lovegrove of Shed and Buried, Find it-Fix it-Drive it, and The Motorbike Show fame. They were really good company in the evenings and autographed our Rally plate for us. Despite a busy schedule on the island, we still managed to spend a lovely day with Register members Derek and Verena Russell (of Thoresby organising fame), now resident on the island. We had a nice lunch in their sunny garden before driving up the TT Mountain Course from Ramsey but turned off at The Bungalow to drive through Sulby Glen, a lovely sylvan spot, but best driven South to North in an 83 year old car. We ended up at Peel for a delicious early evening meal before we drove back to Douglas, and Derek and Verena back to Ramsey. Sunday 9th June was our Annual Gathering, this year at the Hundred End Festival of Transport near Southport. This two day show was beset with wet weather on Saturday, but Sunday was sunny and fine for our get-together. Underfoot was surprisingly firm and we had seventeen vehicles on show with several non-exhibiting members dropping by to say hello. It turned out to be The Dave and Margaret Molyneux Day, since not only did their 75 mile journey from Ulverston earn them the Long Distance award, but members also voted their Oxford Coupé ‘Car of the Day’, whilst the North West committee had earlier voted to award them the Dave Harris Memorial Trophy for services to the North West over many years. Some of us are off to Beamish to join up with North East members this weekend with the Burnley and Leighton Hall Car Shows coming up during the following weekends. I hope to see many of you out and about this summer enjoying your Happy Morris Motoring.

Photos (from the top): 1923 Oxford film car Autographed Rally Plate The Molyneux Oxford Sunday Morris trio 28 WELSH REGION NEWSLETTER CYLCHLYTHYR RHANBARTH CYMRU EDITOR AND SECRETARY: John Howells, “Bronllys”, Vicarage Road, Penygraig, Rhondda,CF40 1HR 01443 432 542 [email protected]

SECRETARY'S SPOT West Wales News: From the postbag: This letter and pics came in from member Simon Moffett: "John, Jemima had a run up to Aberystwyth show yesterday in support of Prostate Cymru. There were loads of tractors, but only 10 cars probably, because in the wind it was freezing, much colder than our outing to Singleton Park. There was a threat of rain too. Of the 10 cars there were 5 Morrises! 3 Oxfords, one of which was a Farina, a 1926 Bullnose and Jemima. Jemima didn’t park with the others and went to try to attract attention to the Prostate Cymru stand. At times the wind was too strong for her daffodils. So Jemima did 130 there and back up the coast road. On the way home the hills seemed steeper and there was lots more , but there was no point in letting it pass me as if anything the horseboxes were going slower than me. That’s my excuse anyway. Simon" Yes, I know that road Simon. It’s a killer for an Eight with a 3 speed gearbox like mine. Great to see that Jemima is sporting her brand new D-i-D plaque.

South Wales News: From the postbag: This letter came in from Ian and Jane Dunkley: "Dear John My wife Jane and I were very sad to read the piece by Phil Howard in this month’s Morris Monthly about the death of Graham Williams. Jane and I joined the Morris Register in 1973 and moved to South Wales in 1974 where we were made very welcome by both Graham and Jill Williams and Phil and Kay Howard and have fond memories of attending and helping to organise Register events in S.Wales, back then with our Series 2 Morris Ten DNN155. In 1978 we moved back to Kent having reluctantly sold the Morris although we kept in touch with Tom Bourne who Jane had worked with at the Welsh Development Agency. Five years ago Tom advised us that our Ten had turned up in the club after a long absence and was now residing in Essex. About a year later we found out it was again for sale and we immediately rushed over and brought it home. Sadly, although running, it was in need of some serious tlc, and after a year I took it off the road for what turned out to be a substantial re-restoration including an engine rebuild. I hope to have it back on the road in the next few weeks. Anyway, please pass on our sincere condolences to Jill and also Phil and Kay; we had a very happy time living in Llantwit Fardre and made many friends in the Register and the old car movement in general. Unfortunately as time passed we lost touch and haven’t returned to S.Wales for over 40 years. Maybe we will try and venture down in DNN 155 once I have proved everything is working satisfactorily. The Welsh region seems very active and I enjoy reading your column. Kind Regards Ian and Jane Dunkley" Thanks both for this lovely letter. I’m sure that Jill will appreciate it greatly. John Howells 29 WHERE IS IT NOW? ast month's item: "An interested spectator at the Singleton Park Rally this week approached me to look at ‘The Morris’. LDuring the conversation he asked if there was any way that he could trace the whereabouts of his late father’s Eight, Reg no: JPO 138. He thinks it was last seen in the Kent area. So if any member can help, just give me a ring and I’ll put you in touch." It isn’t on my (not in date) version of the Register, and an enquiry to DVLA resulted in the advice that, even though it is unknown to them, since registrations were computerised in the early eighties, the car could still be standing in somebody’s garage awaiting restoration from before that time. So scratch your heads everyone, and see if you can come up with an answer. Remember that chap who knew of someone with an old car in a shed? I have a distinct feeling that this car is still around somewhere. (Of course, the car may not be in the Kent area at all, but somewhere else entirely!) John

SINGLETON PARK RALLY e cheated really! No, we didn’t trailer 'The Morris' to the show, but in Worder to arrive early, we stayed overnight in Mumbles. But it was still a struggle in the morning. It’s funny, but however long one has to get ready, one fills the time with all of the ‘important’ things that were not done the night before, and we had just as well have driven the 30 odd miles from home on the day. We had almost got settled when Jemima turned up, driven by Simon Moffett with navigator daughter Eleri. Our two Eights were lined up side by side. Then 1 out came Jemima’s daffodils. She looked very pretty in those. After that, as the visitors started to arrive, they all passed by ‘The Morris’, to see the pretty Eight next door. Simon thought that Jemima was the most photographed car in the whole show. One elderly man in a wheelchair looked longingly at the 8s. He used to work on them as a mechanic in his younger days, and accepted a photo 2 3 opportunity with great enthusiasm. Well, Rhiannon and I enjoyed the rally, there were nice walks for our labrador, and a good autojumble. The weather was fine, but not sunny most of the time unfortunately, and there was a cool breeze which made us wear our coats, especially later in the day. After this rally we usually go to for a meal at Verdi’s in Mumbles, but this time the Mermaid Restaurant was the 4 5 venue, as Christa the lab could come in too. Then homeward bound in 'The Morris', happy after another enjoyable day, with great cars to view and good company. John Photos: 1. Here’s someone else who likes them 2. Posing for a photo 3. A wide variety of cars 4. Who’s holding the camera? 5. What position does Simon play? 6. Just one corner of the field THIS MONTH'S NAUGHTY PIC 6

gain sent in by last month’s Naughty Pic Morris owner. AHow is the spindle sealing on your Morris’s windscreen wiper motor? If it looks like this there could be trouble ahead. Worth having a look perhaps.

30 WALES EVENTS 13/14 Jul: Vintage For Victory, Library Gardens, Park Rd, Whitchurch CF14 7XA. Mainly a music and fashion event, with some old cars, people in period costume, a Lancaster fly past, etc., etc. Contact: 02920 312 611 or 07967 818 355 Vintage For Victory, Library Gardens, Park Rd, Whitchurch CF14 7XA Contact: 02920 312 611 Cheshire Steam Fair Mrs J Webster, 01565 633 346 3 Aug: Porthcawl Lions Charity Show & Jumble 11 Aug: Three Cocks Vintage Show, Hay-on-Wye. Entry Forms awaited by post from Mrs Young, Secretary 01497 847 567 10-11 Aug: Astle Park Traction Engine Rally Mrs J Webster, 01565 633 346 25 Aug: Blaenavon and Pontypool Railway heritage vehicle show Ponthir Music & Classic Car Festival 25-26 Aug: County of Salop Steam Show, Shrewsbury Tim Hilditch, 01938 570 420 26 Aug–1 Sep: Llangollen Rally. One not to be missed. John & Rhiannon on 01443 432 542 for more details

The North East Region Local News EDITOR: Roy Smith, 01937 581 793, [email protected] SECRETARY: Roy Pidgeon [email protected] CHAIRMAN'S CHATTERINGS was very fortunate and pleased to be part of the club tour of Holland (19th-27th May) superbly organised by Roy IPidgeon, N E Regional Secretary. A further 23 club members driving 14 classic cars spent 7 days based in Gouda. Roy had prepared a full programme of events so firstly I would like to thank him and his willing assistant, Val, on behalf of those who attended for all their hard work and effort over a considerable amount of time dealing with letters, e mails, phone calls to members, ferries, hotels, museums, etc., to ensure we had an enjoyable, trouble free break. I am sure other members will be writing their reports for the magazine which hopefully will include: 1) Visit to Louwman National Automobile Museum (reportedly the best in the world of its kind) 2) Tour of the Daf and Phillips Museums in Eindhoven 3) Coach tour to Volendam, boat trip to Marken and then on to the Zaanse Schans windmills 4) Visit to cheese and clogs makers in Gouda 5) A special invitation to participate in Culemborg car show which included over 300 cars 6) Sight-seeing In Delft Before setting sail from Hull to Rotterdam, a number of members visited Alan Marshall’s collection of Humber cars. Over 30 cars are on display including the 1936 limousine owned by the Duke and Duchess of Windsor along with numerous Pullmans, Super Snipes and Hawks. Alan is very knowledgeable on Humber cars and claims to have the largest collection in the world. In addition to what is on display in the museum, he has plenty more which is wife is not aware of – or so he says. Alan has decided to sell his complete collection for £250,000, so if any member is interested, just let him know. Malcolm Dixon NE EVENTS 21 Jul: Newby Hall, near Ripon Classic 5 Jul: "Fleur de Lys" classic meeting Thornes show(ticket only) Park, Wakefield 28 Jul: Ripon Old Cars classic show, Racecourse, 6 Jul: Yeadon Leeds Carnival. 10 club cars Ripon entered. 10 am to 4.30 pm 3 Aug: St Gemma's Classic Car Show, Temple 7 Jul: Heath Common Classic Meeting, Newsome Park, Leeds Wakefield WF1 5SL 8 Sep: Otley Extravaganza Pool Rd Otley Leeds. (ticket entry only) 31 nglia Re t A g s io a n E

No.497 EDITOR: [email protected]

FROM THE CHAIR hank you very much to all who attended the regional AGM on June 9th. It was delightful to see so many familiar Tfriendly faces, although it would have been even better to see some unfamiliar ones! Also, thank you to all who provided refreshments, possibly the most popular part of the afternoon. Curiously there were no changes to the current committee… Adrian Mitchell once again received the trophy for best Noggin attendance in an appropriate vehicle (see photo left). Peter Sanders and Brian Gilders were runners up this year. Dudley Hedge was awarded the David Robinson Trophy for his work in organising the North Cambs Noggin. Here he is being presented the trophy by Peter Brown (photo middle). As usual there were a sprinkling of Morris cars attending, here is Peter Sanders standing between Tony’s 8 saloon and one of the prettiest tourers in the world (I may be a little biased!) Mike Adams

BATTLESBRIDGE AUTOJUMBLE, 12th MAY any of us have in the past attended the very successful Battlesbridge Classic Car Shows which included a large Mand genuine autojumble. The field used for the car display area has been sold, and what is left is not enough to contain the many vehicles that used to attend. Jim Gallie the proprietor of the Battlesbridge Antiques Centre made the decision to hold purely autojumbles on the dates that use to be the Classic Car Show. I arrived early (8 am) and was the second car in the carpark (the first being Gordon Henderson). The gates opened at 9 am a charge of £3 was applied. We were presented with 109 stands to view, most worth a look with some interesting items, which in the main were not exorbitantly priced. Although nowadays I tend to by consumables and not greasy bits – I have enough (so I’m told!). The car park for modern vehicles filled rapidly to the extent an overflow had to be opened. I had a very pleasant morning, then venturing into the extensive antiques centre. I give a thumbs up to this autojumble, just a shame that, like a number of classic cars shows, Battlesbridge Classic Car Show it is another one to close for cars. Incidentally there were several acceptable food outlets. There have been added ‘Monthly Breakfast Clubs’ on the third Sunday of each month from 9 am, interesting classic cars by invitation. I guess that you can go along for a cup of tea or a walk round the extensive centre and a chat - this yet to be experienced. Tony Nathan

Event organizer and museum owner Wider view of the autojumble A few classic cars in the main carpark – Jim Gallie and with his permission and just after it opened perhaps one or two still expected a classic agreed caption “Eating the profits!” car show 32 ROOKE’S RAMBLES egrettably, the Drive-it-Day for me became a non-event. It came, it went and no action with the car. Shame really Rbecause I know one or two local cars were visiting the coast. For the first time in many years I have managed to grease all of the nipples on the Cowley in the same day. A task which I have not achieved in one attempt for several years. It was helped by the fact that I came across a box of modern nipples in a local agricultural merchants which I could screw in temporarily because all the nipples on the car are the old version and they do not take kindly to my more modern type grease gun. I say modern it was given to me as a present by Olive some fifty odd years ago! Of course I put the original nipples back after the greasing, as of course one would! Herewith a photograph of both old and new. I enjoy the Ipswich to Felixstowe Run and this year was no exception however I felt slightly deflated after the event! The start in Christchurch Park is a superb setting and I did speak to several participators, friends, relatives and fellow Register members including Dave Sawtell and Nick Macey from The Netherlands who have an 8 saloon and four seater tourer respectively. During the hour and a half at the park I barely moved a couple of paces from our cars! The run started with the usual hard drive in other traffic with other competitors. The crowds were out in force along the route and much flag waving and cheering occurred. The inevitable queuing started again nearer Felixstowe with road works and more traffic lights. Eventually we parked up on the promenade. The public were most interested in the cars and both Duncan and myself were kept extremely busy talking to 'promenades' during the afternoon. We did manage to speak to the owner of one very rare Vauxhall parked next to us but got no further to see other cars. It was good to see Bill and Claudia Bond long time members who found us, and they hope their 8 saloon might be well for the year 2020! At home I had the opportunity of looking through the entry list. Several club members had entered but I regret I did not see most of them. Several friends had also entered and I did not see those either. Such is the vastness of this event and the public intensity of interest which kept us busy on the spot so to speak. The cars did however perform well. I only took only a couple of photographs and to avoid overexposure of the Rooke family picnicking on the beach herewith a picture of what is now I assume a fairly rare Morris Oxford estate. Next year I hope to be there again for the 50th anniversary of this event! Ivan Rooke

ENFIELD PAGEANT ony Nathan went in his M1000 to the Enfield Pageant Sunday 26th May 2109. The Tweather remained overcast, although the temperature was just right for an amble round the numerous stalls, motor exhibits, and plenty more. He searched in vain for Morris Register eligible vehicles and found just one, a solitary Series E for sale by one of the traders. He finds the Pageant a useful source for little bits – washers, screws and the like (Which he admits he will probably put away and when I need them forget where I put them!). He alternate the Morris 8 and Morris 1000 for Enfield and it was the M1000’s turn! Fewer and fewer pre-1940 cars seem to attend events nowadays.

EA REGION EVENTS 11 Jul: Essex Noggin at The Duck, Newney Green, Chelmsford, CM1 3SF 10th “Classics on the Green”, 3pm onwards, Friston, Saxmundham, Suffolk, IP17 1NP. 13/14 Jul: Cambridgeshire Steam & Vintage Vehicle Rally, Quy Park, Quy, Cambs, CB25 9AF Please contact Rally Secretary on 07990 947 510 or www.cambridgesteamrally.co.uk 14 Jul: Orsett Classic & Vintage Show, Orsett Showground, Rectory Road, Orsett, RM16 3JN. Please book: https://www.orsettfestival.com/classic-vehicles Haverhill Historic Vehicle Rally and Road Run, to enter please contact David Evans on 01473 328 055 during the evenings only please 21 Jul: Ingatestone Hall Classic Car Show, Ingatestone Hall, Hall , Ingatestone, CM4 9NR Please book: https://www.ingatestoneclassic.co.uk/regvehiclesingle.php Classic Vehicle Show at The Museum of Power, 10 am-4 pm, Hatfield Road, Langford, Maldon, CM9 6QA 28 Jul: Coffee & Cars at The Museum of Power, 9 am-1 pm, Hatfield Road, Langford, Maldon, CM9 6QA

33 EDITOR: Geoff Campbell, 01494 875 783, [email protected] SECRETARY: John Powell, 01895 672 706, [email protected]

EDITORIAL ow we’re well into the Nrally and show season, there’s plenty going on out there and it’s sometimes difficult to decide between two or more events which clash in the diary! This month, I am grateful to Steve Gant for the account of his trip to Holland in his Series ‘E’ and to Den Jarrott for his contribution about Classics on the Cricket Field in Naphill. It was interesting to read about the London ULEZ exemption for historic vehicles in Stuart King’s Federation Feedback in the May edition of Morris Monthly and I have since heard it suggested that the value of reliable classics may increase due to an increased demand for cars in which to drive in the Capital and escaping the emissions charge! On 11th May, the annual Hyde Heath village fete took place along with its vintage and classic car show which was well attended as usual. After a couple of early showers, the sun came out and we were treated to a flypast from a Spitfire along with the regular attractions of this event.

The Sherbucks noggin in May took the form of a ‘Bring your car night’ and the cars on show comprised three Morrises, an MG and an Austin.

34 Over the Spring Bank Holiday weekend, the Enfield District Veteran Vehicle Trust held their annual Enfield Pageant of Motoring. For anyone who’s interested in autojumble, it’s difficult to find the time to look at the cars on show unless you attend on more than one day!

During the first weekend in June, there was a Bus Running Day in Didcot, Oxfordshire. This event which was organised by the Thames Valley and Great CHILTERNS EVENTS Western Omnibus Trust was supported by a small car rally. 6/7 Jul: Chiltern Steam Rally, Prestwood - contact Den Jarrott 14 Jul: Chorleywood Classic & Supercar Show 21 Jul: Uxbridge Autoshow www.uxbridgeautoshow.com 27/28 Jul: Dacorum Steam & Country Fayre 27/28 Jul: Chiltern Open Air Museum Car Show 4 Aug: Ashlyns Classic Car Show, Berkhamsted 7 Aug: Classics on Croxley Green 11 Aug: Classics on Ley Hill Common 14 Aug: Gerrards Cross Classic Car Show* 17 Aug: Chalfont Lodge Open Day & Car Show – contact Geoff Campbell * Note insurance indemnity

35 CLASSICS ON THE CRICK, NAPHILL his year’s Classics on the Crick in Naphill, for the air ambulances, was our first Touting out this year. I wanted to express that this show had great support and it was great to see the new gullwing BMW, the three McLarens as well as all the makes from Ford Model T onwards. They said there were over five hundred cars on display. There was also a great show of motor bikes and mini scooters plus good food and entertainment. When the judging started I was pleased when they awarded "Matilda", my Morris Eight Series E in the "Cars and Commercials up to 1945" class with a gold rosette. We also met two Morris men who were restoring a Y type van and a Z van, both being local men whom we should soon meet at our noggins! Article and photo: Den Jarrott

MORRISES IN HOLLAND, Part 1 he North East Region had been working for about a year to arrange a Morris outing Tto Holland and started sounding out support at Thoresby last year. I decided that my Morris needed a bit of a leg stretch so I signed up. In all fourteen cars participated, although only thirteen were Morrises because Roy Pidgeon’s Eight was poorly and he wanted to travel in style in his newly acquired Austin Sixteen shooting brake. The Morrises ranged in age from a 1927 Oxford Bullnose to a 60s fintailed Farina. The majority of participants were from the north of England so they took a ferry from Hull to Rotterdam. I live further south so I elected to sail from Harwich to the Hook of Holland. Nevertheless, it is a long way from Oxford to Harwich. I did not want to drive through towns so I took a slightly longer route to the A14 in Northamptonshire and then on to Harwich. The advantage of this route is that most of it is on so I did not slow down the traffic too much and it is also quite flat and avoids built up areas. Even with a stop in Kettering to visit my mother, it is about 120 miles from there to Harwich and I was rather tired by the time I reached Harwich about four hours later. I was not paying attention on the A14 and did not notice that it turned left so suddenly I found myself on the M11. Not good in a Morris Eight and so I left it as soon as possible and had the pleasure of driving through Cambridge after all. Monday morning, and my ferry docked an hour earlier than the Hull ferry so I had plenty of time to get to the agreed meeting point in Maassluis. It was a cold, grey misty morning and I hoped that the weather would improve for the rest of the week. A group of Dutch Triumphs was returning from a UK tour (pictured rightt). One owner approached me in the car park and said he once owned a Series E tourer. This was to repeat itself many times over as people were both charmed to see our cars and amazed that we had dared to drive them from England. Who mentioned Mad Dogs and Englishmen? I had to admit that I was a bit apprehensive about meeting up with the others and so off I trundled towards Maassluis and soon had my first experience of Dutch motorways. I think this can be summed up as “fast and furious” because Dutch drivers do not hang about. Looking into the mirror gets unnerving at first as both cars and very large lorries approach at an alarmingly fast speed only to pull out and overtake at the last moment. Anyway I got to the agreed meeting point and waited for the others to turn up. It was worth the wait to see a line of Morrises approach the garage where I was waiting. There was not much parking so I just joined the back of the column and off we went in the general direction of Delft. I think the intention was to use quiet roads, but we got lost and so headed back to the motorway. We had a stop at a service station because Roy’s Austin was not running very well. It turned out that petrol was leaking onto the manifold because a speck of dirt prevented the needle valve in the carburettor from closing properly. Once Dave Molyneux had sorted that out it ran a lot better, albeit somewhat lumpily on idle. 36 So we set off towards Delft. We had been directed to an underground car park in Delft, but to get to it meant braving the in the city centre. All traffic stopped along a narrow canal . It was a Heinekin beer lorry unloading. Everything stops for beer! We successfully found the car park and left to explore the town. By this time it was getting towards mid-day so the search was really to find somewhere to eat and to warm up because it was quite cold outside. Suitably fed and watered, we headed back towards the car park with a view to continuing to Gouda which was to be our base for the week. On entering the car park we were issued with a ticket. Unfortunately, when it came to paying the ticket machine had an aversion to foreign credit cards and refused to accept payment. A call to the control centre directed us to another machine near the exit. That did not like either the ticket or credit card so another call was made. I think the control centre got tired of us because suddenly the barrier was raised and we could drive out without paying. By this time most of the other cars had left and they were in the middle of Delft and somewhat clueless as to which road to take. Thank goodness for modern technology because one car had a sat nav and we were able to follow it out of town towards the motorway. Another white knuckle ride to Gouda on the motorway. We could see the hotel from the motorway but once we had turned off into an industrial estate we got lost. There was a group of young Dutch schoolgirls on bikes who spoke good English (as do most Dutch people). They got out their mobile phones and soon located the hotel. They told us to follow them and off they rode, pedalling hard followed by a line of Morrises. I don’t think a headline of “Old men in old cars chase young girls on bikes” would have improved the image of the Morris Register. Fortunately nobody seemed to notice what had happened. We all checked in, unpacked and waited over a cold beer for a briefing of events for the rest of the week. (To be continued) Article and photos: Steve Gant

37 Editor: Jenny Smithson 01959 525 265, [email protected] Secretary: Phil Butland 01323 843 080, [email protected]

MORRIS AT 58th HCVS LONDON TO BRIGHTON here were 182 entrants for this year's 12th May run assembling at the start point at Crystal Palace before heading off Tto sunny Brighton. This year the date was a week later and the route had been altered to avoid Pease Pottage on a bank holiday which in 2018 had been utter chaos and hours of jams. Twenty-two entrants were of Morris origin. These made up seven of the sixtenn vehicles in Class A, small vans and pick-ups built before 1/1/50, together with ten of the twenty-three vehicles in Class B, large vans and pick-ups built after 31/1/49. There were 4four Morris vehicles in Class C, large vans and lorries built before 1940, out of a total of twenty-one. The weather on the day was superb and it was great to chat to friends old and new. Article: Mike Adams Photos: Mike Adams and Ray Frampton

Top left: ETW 749, 1937 Morris L2 15cwt van owned by Laurie Cook

Below left: Top right: 706 DTR, 1963 Morris J2 Van UD 419, 1926 Morris 1 Ton Lorry

Middle: Below right: HGW 866, 1946 Morris Z Type XV 5701, 1928 Morris Commercial GPO Van 1 Ton Lorry More pictures on the back page

MORRIS REGISTER CAR SHOW AT COOLINGS GARDEN CENTRE Saturday 13th July at Coolings Garden Centre Rushmore Hill Knockholt Sevenoaks TN14 7NN There are still places available if you wish to enter your Morris or other classic car CONTACT FOR ENTRIES: John Mason, 01689 858 546 or [email protected] PLEASE COME ALONG AND SUPPORT YOUR LOCAL SOUTH EAST REGION EVENT!

38 THE MIDLANDER MORRIS REGISTER MIDLAND REGION EDITOR: June Sargeant, 01905 840 155, [email protected] SECRETARY: Barbara Farmer, 01536 711 620, [email protected]

HEREFORDS & WORCS NOGGIN eneral discussions took place regarding cars and other matters. David and Brenda Henthorn mentioned that they Ghad gone to the Ludlow Spring Festival in their Morris 8 Tourer (see photo). This was taken in Leominster prior to the Leominster to Ludlow run which is part of the Spring Festival. June and John went to the Little Comberton Car Show and Street Market on 25th May. A very enjoyable small village event near to Pershore. There was around 50 classic cars, plus a 1951 Army lorry, which following a conversation with John, the owner has agreed to bring this along to the Peopleton Autumn Show on 31st August. The following day they went to Ragley Hall Classic Car Show where there were about 500 classic cars and were fortunate to win their class with their Morris 8 Tourer and were presented with a plaque (see photo). Lord Hertford presented some of the awards before looking around the show. Next month Brenda Henthorn has kindly agreed to do a gardening quiz as we were all mentioning getting our gardens up to scratch, the second priority to our cars! June Sargeant

LICHFIELD SHENSTONE NOGGIN am writing this as I watch the rain bouncing off the pond. Welcome to flaming June, not the best weather for a gentle Iamble along the lanes of Staffordshire. However, our May meeting was a lot warmer and welcoming affair with a visit from a young gentleman of 96 who had heard our our group from a friend. He had owned a 2 Series 2 door saloon with a sliding roof when he got married and he entertained us with his memories of holiday trips and strange occurrences over his time as a Morris owner along with several pictures of the car and his late wife. This included a breakdown in the middle of Dartmoor with a lift to a local garage, a seven hour train journey home and six weeks with two return visits to get the car repaired and ready for him to collect. But on balance over the years the overwhelming pleasure that the Morris had given them shone with a warm glow through his smiles as he shared his thoughts with like minded folk. Stephen Parkes and I then gave our guest a tour as Stephen was in his his flatnose doctor's coupé and I in my Morris Series E. His interest growing steadily as Steven explained that they still tour Europe in their Morris. The next items included Bob having problems with his tourer which he traced to a faulty condenser with an open circuit. This led to a discussion regarding the voltage sensitivity of condensers as the 6 volt one in his 12 volt system had quite happily given good service for as long as he could remember. The second item on the agenda was my investment in a pair of LED headlight bulbs which although brighter than the originals did seem to have a flicker in them regardless of engine RPM. Feedback ranged from the bulbs having to settle in to poor connections or interference from other electrical items. On the positive side the amp meter still showed a charge with the headlights switched on. The beam pattern was not the best but again an improvement on the original. I will keep you updated with my progress. Any other business then followed with the usual wide spread of topics, Morris related or otherwise with the general hub- hub of banter and a good evening was had by all thanks to our special guest and his Morris tales. See you all next month. Mick and Sue Roden Meetings are held at the Bull's Head Public House, Shenstone, WS14 0JR, 7.30 for 8 on the third Tuesday of each month. 39 LEICS AND NORTHANTS NOGGIN hat a splendid day out we had with Russell in mid-May – it was a story of cars, boats and buses! After completing Wa run through the countryside, we met up at Ringstead Marina and after a look round, we came across our first two Ford Model Ts. Lunch was taken at the Watermill nearby in an idyllic setting and from there the group travelled on to Blackthorn Marina and our group of seven Morrises, two MGB and two moderns. We even picked up an early model Buick en route! Our final stop was at Russell’s premises, where a variety of vehicles were available for inspection. Model T Fords in various guises, as well as lorries, vans, single and double decker buses – several of our group experienced a ride in a Model T having only two gears, meaning you travelled either fast or slow, there being no speedo you couldn’t tell which! Not to be outdone, we also met the four-legged transport – some horses in their stables! Russell had kindly provided tea/coffee and biscuits to round off the day and we thank him for his hospitality. At this point in our monthly noggin, Bob Williams illustrated the day with a collection of photos showing the various aspects of the trip.

(see also panorama at bottom of the page)

Once again, our noggin proved a lively affair and after giving reminders of the forthcoming events, we were joined by Mark Tedder who had come along to our meeting as a guest. He was representing the owners of a 1928 Cowley Flatnose which, having been restored and garaged locally, was now for sale. The owner had sadly passed away and his widow felt reluctantly it was now time to sell the car on. He gave us full details of the car and showed photographs and was seeking advice on how and where to go about this. He left with a copy of Morris Monthly and said he had enjoyed a very informative evening. Turning to the main purpose of the evening – our cars. Bob Fleming asked about the benefits of electronic ignition and, after debate, it was concluded that they were not suitable for cars of our era – several people having experienced expensive failings and that the good old-fashioned points system was preferred! Although not a Morris, Stuart King had had a dynamo problem on his Rover P4. Having removed the dynamo, a loose washer fell out of it – the dynamo had been replaced 26 years ago but the washer must have lodged itself in a pocket and had not caused any trouble until now! Bob Chamberlain was having new leaf springs made and was also fitting new king pins on his Oxford. Mark Webster was impressed with the efficiency of the service from Vintage Supplies having needed to acquire a replacement door lock system for his Morris 8. Mel Gale had fitted a new rotor having established that Lucas view the direction from underneath when determining whether it is a clockwise or anti-clockwise function. Mick Cooper was delighted to report that the knocking problem on his Series E had been sorted – this had simply been down to excessive wear in the distributor causing wild variations with the timing. Chris Benford came along to report he had sold his Minor and came to thank the club for the support having advertised it on the PWMN forum. Sadly, he later found out that the buyer had been from a garage and subsequently sold the car on for an additional £5,000! The day after the noggin, we were contacted by the organisers of Harborough at War being held at the Market Harborough showground over the weekend of 3rd-4th August. They invited us to put on a display of vehicles over the weekend and having sent out a request to our members, we are hopeful we can accommodate their request. Pat Farmer

40 WARWICKSHIRE NOGGIN adly our fish and chip run last month had to be cancelled due to bad weather. However, we hope next month's noggin Swill be ok. We welcomed a prospective new member from Warwick who has recently bought a Morris 8 saloon which looks a pretty good car having been in the same family for over thirty years. e hopes to join us on the run next month. I managed to attend the 6/80 & MO Oxford & Cowley club National Rally held at Hatton Country World, near Warwick. Although a low attendance due to the awful weather, over twenty cars went on the mystery run. Whilst there I checked out the venue for a possible Midlands rally next year to help celebrate the club's sixty years. I have forwarded the idea to Midlands Secretary, Barbara Farmer, and she reckons it to be a great idea. It's been at least ten years since the last Midlands Rally. I mentioned a date at the end of next June, so plenty of time to get stuff organised! I am off to the MMOC Rally at Kelmarsh Hall, so I hope the weather is better there! This month we hope to have our Sunday picnic (weather permitting) at Burton Dassett Hills Country Park, Temple Herdwyke, CV47 2AB, on the B4100, Warks. Last year we had a great turnout despite a heavy breeze. We will have coffee, etc., on site, with our Midland marquee for shelter of it rains. Do try and make it: Sunday July 21st, arriving after about 11 o'clock. See you at our next noggin, Tuesday 9th July. 7 pm for fish and chip run. John Ford Morris 8 Tourer Series 1 & 2 ash frames 2 or 4 seater Complete frame(less doors) or parts thereof Door frames available as an addition Rear View Motor Cars Call 07519 930 318 email: [email protected] Morris Register Member

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41 SUMMER MOTORING WESTWORDS THE NEWSLETTER OF THE MORRIS REGISTER WEST REGION EDITOR: Jim Riglar, 01225 754 981, [email protected] SEC: Jeremy Matthews, 01458 445 175, [email protected] EDITORIAL ell, in terms of the weather, much of June turned into a damp squib, with a number of local shows being cancelled Wdue to waterlogged fields. However, come rain or shine members across the region have been out and about at various gatherings or on road runs and in general avoiding the worst of the weather. This month’s Westwords features a sample from those events. Jim Riglar WEST REGION BREAK, 6th-11th MAY his year’s break at Chilworth Manor in southern THampshire, attracted a group of 47 people. Originally planned as a break centred on Winchester, difficulty in finding hotel accommodation with suitable car parking close to the city, resulted in booking Chilworth Manor Hotel near Romsey as an alternative. As usual an eclectic selection of attractions was offered for over the course of the week. A flavour of these can be seen in the Southeastern Newsletter section of June’s Morris Monthly. Tuesday 7th featured a run organised by Cath Knight which was routed eastwards via a stop at Bishop’s Waltham then to the top of Portsdown Hill, with stunning views across Portsmouth to the Isle of White, before a return via the Royal Armouries Museum at Fort Nelson. Wednesday 8th featured a trip to Bursledon Brickworks, where the steam driven making machinery was put into operation for us (you would be surprised how interesting it is to take a lump of clay and a bit of sand and manufacture the odd brick or two (or was that a few millions of !). The route back to the hotel included a trip down to the shores of the Solent and a visit to Royal Victoria Country Park, previously the site of the Royal Victoria Hospital, Netley. Thursday 9th offered a trip to Milestones Museum, Basingstoke, which features a selection of products from Hampshire manufacturers, including Wallis & Stevens and Taskers (both steam traction engines and rollers), Thorneycroft (a wide range of vehicles), Dennis (commercial vehicles), as well as recreations of numerous industrial and commercial premises from the region. Some of us took the opportunity to sample in pint in the recreated Gales Ales pub (see John’s Jottings in June’s Morris Monthly). The route back to the hotel offered the opportunity to pop into Winchester for those who wanted a look around the city. Friday 10th provided a visit to Hinton Ampner house and gardens (now in the custodianship of the National Trust), with those in Morrises able to park in front of the house rather than the normal car park. The photograph shows all of those from the group who went on that trip and two of the cars that were parked in front of the house. On the way home on Saturday 11th some of the group intended to visit Nuffield House as they headed back north through Oxfordshire. A number of others opted to visit Hillier Gardens, a couple of miles away from the hotel at Ampfield. Some more detailed articles may appear in Westwords over the course of the next few months. As for next year, the possibility of a Cotswolds based break is being considered and is in the very earliest stages of planning. NEWS FROM THE GROUPS Somerset (11th June): Over the course of the evening, 30 members put in an appearance at the noggin. As usual there were plenty of discussions taking place. A number of noggin regulars had participated in the S&E Devon/Somerset Inter-noggin meeting on the 6th June, and were full of praise for the venue, Hornsbury Mill just north of Chard. Some had travelled direct to the venue, whilst three cars had travelled in convoy from Shepton Mallet. John Goodland has completed arrangements for the Three Counties run on the 19th June, whilst Jeremy Matthews was finalising lunch bookings for the South Somerset run on 12th July. Jim Riglar was finalising set-up arrangements for those showing their cars on the Register stand at the Bristol Classic Car Show. On the vehicle front, Steve Knight, having caught the restoration bug with his recent restoration of his M8 tourer (see the front cover of June 2019 Morris Monthly), has now started on another M8 project; if for no other reason, then this must be to make best use of the excess parts he acquired during his first restoration challenge. Roy Bowden continues to make steady progress with the body work for his M8 special. Derek Brockway had just sampled a weekend of Minor travel at the Pre War Minor Network Rally, Marlborough in his son, Dan’s, 1932 saloon, with its newly re-built engine. Pete Cannard is hoping that the gearbox for his M10 Pre-Series saloon will be ready for collection from the gearbox specialist with a week or so, following a very testing 19 month wait! Jim Riglar 42 North & West Devon (13th June): Mid-June and our Morris cars have already put a lot of miles on their clocks, with car shows and country garden events from Lynton and Lynmouth in the north, to a very English country mansion, Coombe Trenchard, to the far south-west; with of course also our visit to view the Morris Special near Higher Clovelly. With apologies received from John Garrod, Roger Courtier, Andy and Sarah, Tony and Mo, there were 15 members for our meeting. The accompanying photo was taken at a recent club outing, I am pleased to confirm that all members have now been reclaimed from the station’s Left Luggage office. We’ve been at the “Pig on the Hill” since February and felt it was time for a change, we have enjoyed our five visits there and have always been made most welcome. Please note: Our next noggin meeting will be: Thursday 11th July from 1 1am at: The Hunters Inn, Newton Tracey, nr Barnstaple EX31 3PL, 01271 858 339. The Hunters Inn have a very good lunch menu, with we hope something for everyone, and of course most importantly an excellent car park. For further information please contact 01805 804 094 or [email protected] Ian Rayment East & South Devon, Phil's Midweek Meander, 6th June: With the weather forecast for the 1st week of June very unsettled, it turned out that our meander through the Devon and Somerset countryside was bathed in fabulous blue skies and sunshine. We all assembled at the Blue Ball Coaching House at Sidford, a pretty thatched building. Sadly it burnt down a few years ago, but has now been completely rebuilt just as it used to be. David Palmer drove his 1939 Morris 8 Series E tourer up from Teignmouth, Nick and Lynne Ashford arrived in their 1950 M.G. VA. Edward and Margaret Coleman pottered in with their 1927 Morris Cowley with Dicky seat. We then went continental with newcomers Waiting for petrol Lawrence and Teresa in their 1953 Citroen Traction Avant, all ready for our 10 am start to the Hamlet of Colyford, via the small town of Colyton, which houses a tannery, a small foundry and a paper mill, onto Colyford for our coffee stop at the old Petrol Filling Station and Garage with its five Avery filling pumps, two of which are the originals from the 1960s. Shell became the main supplier of petrol here until the petrol station ceased to operate in 2001. 2003 saw the building become a Motor Museum. After coffee we were joined by Bob and Christine Brock and Alan and Shirley Dolman Phillips with their 1938 MG VA. We all then meandered over the Devon/Somerset border taking in super countryside, wooded lanes, through small villages with their thatched cottages. En Trouble at Mill? route we came across a roadside scarecrow (he didn't have much to say, or even a wave – funny that). A few miles on we arrived at Hornsbury Mill, now a four star hotel and restaurant just north of Chard. It is a beautiful example of an early 19th century corn mill built in local flint stone, the water mill can still be seen working to this day. We were then joined by six classic cars from the Somerset region, with Jeremy and Amanda Matthews in their 10 Series 3, Simon and Robbie Colledge in their Eight two seater, Jim and Anne Riglar with their 10 Series 2, Allan and Shirley Hawkins with the Pre Series 10, and also Roy Bowden and Shirley Martin with their 8Eighttwo seater. Also attending was Chris Hipwood from Chard in his newly restored Minor saloon (pictured right). At 1 pm we all sat down to a super two course lunch in the Hotel Orangery, overlooking the lake and our cars, not forgetting the 43 ducks. During lunch we had a surprise and blind raffle, great fun, with Jim and Anne getting a bottle of Pina Colada – enjoy! I would also like to give a big thanks to my good friends Dave and Sharon Bruce, for all their help during the day. Mid- afternoon we all said our goodbyes, but, hey folks, let’s look forward to the next one. Phil Armour

Our Noggins are at 12.30 on the first Thursday of every month at the Blue Ball at Sidford, Nr Sidmouth. Please check on venue by contacting David Palmer on 07770 235 518 or [email protected] Marlborough (22nd May): As noggins go, the May meeting was a fairly normal event with members from north and west Wiltshire and north-west Hampshire attending. Ken Martin was still working on his Minor, in an effort to ensure it was useable for the Pre-War Minor Network Rally the following weekend and had to dash off promptly from the noggin to carry on working on it. If he had been able to hang around to the bitter end, he would have had a surprise, as a lady (non-member) just happened to be passing and pulled up in her stunning looking pale blue painted 1931 Minor 2 seater. She was advised that the noggin is a monthly meeting and she would be welcome! New Forest (18th June): June’s noggin here in the forest was an unusual outing and somewhat different to the norm! Not to be defeated by the floods and rain we are enduring just before mid-summer’s eve I decided to proof test the Minor saloon ready for John and Celia’s Three Counties drive the following day. I say prove, because after winning another club's navigation rally a few weeks before (in the oldest, possibly only pre-war) attending, I found a rear brake cylinder sticking which meant two more new cylinders, for the rear this time, and a different car for the PWMN rally the weekend after. It does explain the drop in performance on slopes when hot! On top of this, starting issues had worsened, whereby it took a while for all four mighty cylinders to cut in! This was traced to new reproduction KLG 18mm long reach plugs in use for a couple of thousand miles only, changed for Denso iridium tipped 14mm plugs in reducers (these sort of tips for us Minor owners easily justify joining the free to MR members PWMN forum and help our cars keep up with modern traffic!) All went well, best braking ever and much improved running, again best ever I think, plus on the button starting hot or cold. Even the rain nearly stopped for our trip across the forest. On arrival we saw a Jenny and her foal, sweet and very young but they kept moving around making a good picture hard (picture right). The usual hard core of me and Linda, Geoff and Christine, John and Vera plus a visit from Gerald made for a jolly crowd and much to our delight 2 separate newcomers joined us. Malcolm Hayes has re-joined after deciding to renovate his 8 tourer, which has a fascinating past, plus Martin Grange came over to check us out and ask for some advice with his 8 saloon. It looked very nice and featured in the Classics Monthly small pre-war car comparison with the similar Singer and Ford offerings. This all made for an interesting and lively meeting and we hope they return as we enjoyed their company. On the way home in the dark on the outskirts of Ringwood the Minor died, shortly after I had been musing on how she was flying with the 21st century plug upgrade! A slow tick from the pump with no flooding made me suspect an air leak on the union from the tank but I checked the float, then the points and threw in my spare gallon first as passing pedestrians and my wife were suggesting these after I tightened the nut on the pump. I carry a spare pump and distributor parts but not 44 a hacksaw and an olive or PTFE! I eventually retightened the nut again with nothing to lose as a call to the AA was next and it worked! We arrived home safely and rather than fix it I chucked in a hacksaw, olives, spare nut and PTFE for the next day just in case! Oh, and I changed the wiper blade as all the rubber was tearing off it. I hope your vintage summer motoring has been less exciting! Toby Sears

VISIT TO MINOR PROTOTYPE, JO 764 ollowing on from the Minor Musings article in the April edition Fof Morris Monthly and on discovering that the Morris Minor ( JO 764 ) was situated in North Devon and in fact only six miles from where we hold our noggin, I decided to pay a visit to the theme park in the hope that a Morris club visit could be arranged. In early May I met Mr Trevor Stanbury the owner of The Milky Way theme park and of JO 764, and enquired if such a visit would be possible and I have to say Mr Stanbury could not have been more accommodating and we agreed on a date of 6th June. With sixteen members present we met at 11.30 for a 12.00 tour and were greeted by Mr Stanbury who told us some history of the park and how his dairy farm was decimated by the Common Market milk quotas in the early seventies. We were then escorted through the park to a railway station where on the platform sat JO 764 looking in a sorry state with a similar looking 1936 Austin Ruby. After a long question and answer/photography session, we were escorted to the restaurant where we adjourned for lunch. We were then invited to look at a display of all the relevant documents and correspondence relating to the car, with some letters from Harry Edwards (dated August 1989) who discovered the car whilst visiting the park with his grandchildren, and gave advice on the history and significance of the car. It was amazing to see the car, albeit in a dilapidated state, that has major significance, not only to Morris Register members, but to the British motor industry in general, and hopefully will one day will be restored and preserved for posterity. We rounded off our visit at 15.30 thanking Mr Stanbury for, not only his time, but also his patience in answering our many questions, not to mention his hospitality. I was asked if a copy of the April edition of Morris Monthly with the article in it could be obtained and thanks to Jim Riglar I revisited the park and thanking him once again I presented him with a copy. Jim Callachan JO 764 outside Wells Cathedral The car as it is today in January 1931

WEST REGION EVENTS 12 Jul: West Region:“South Somerset” run (Walton - Haslebury Mill - Pitney) Contact Jeremy Matthews, 01458 445 175 or [email protected] 13 Jul: Hants: Dogmersfield Flower Show & Fete, Pilcot Farm Dogmersfield. Hants. RG27 8ST For more details. contact Brian Leversha, 01252 615 534 or [email protected] 19-21 Jul: Somerset: Somerset Steam & Country Show - Low Ham, near Langport TA10 9DR Contact Roy Bowden, 01275 858 340 or [email protected] 5 Sep: West Region: Autumn Amble (Windwhistle – Hambridge - Curry Rivel - Chard) Contact Simon Colledge, 01460 75815

45 Morris Mail Letters to the Editor

ELECTRIC CARS Dear Editor n his article headed ‘environmental thoughts’ in MM of June 2019 Tony Nathan talks about electric and hybrid cars. IAs the owner of a hybrid car for 15 years and an electric car for 3 years, I claim some experience and would like to mention one or two matters. Tony says that the expected life of a battery is 10 years. The batteries on my hybrid (Toyota Prius) were fine when the car was sold after 15 years and 160,000 miles. I knew two other Prius owners who had similar experiences but I am aware that those three owners’ findings may not be typical. "Cold batteries are less efficient". True, but what is his point? "Many people with hybrid cars just drive them and let the engine do the charging". True and inefficient, but only true of plug-in hybrids that are company cars. Other hybrids, the vast majority, are not plug-in so with these cars there is no alternative to letting the engine do the charging. It does it when the car is slowing and extra charge is available when the driver operates the "electric brake". The result is a much improved fuel consumption. My Prius, a medium-sized car, averaged (year round) 61 mpg whereas a similar sized normal car would probably average around 40 mpg. "The thought of a connection point on every lamppost must be a joke". Yes, it is. I charge my car at home and because I have solar panels on my roof, I did not notice any increased electricity consumption, even in winter, as the car was mostly charged during daylight. (I am retired!) There are already more electric/plug-in hybrid car charge points than petrol stations in Britain. An electric car’s sat-nav will direct you to the nearest charge point and tell you if it is engaged. The difficulty is with paying for it. Is it too obvious that a debit/credit card would be ideal? Well, that’s too simple for most of the companies involved in selling electricity to car owners! "Someone late at night with insulated cutters could go along and cut the charging cables". Yes, they probably could, with strong enough cutters, but are they more likely to do that than cut a car’s fuel pipe, puncture tyres or put sugar or other stuff in your tank? (Incidentally, sugar does not dissolve in petrol. Ask our editor. He’s a chemist.) I believe the main problem with all electric car transport in the foreseeable future is the number of owners with no off- road parking. So I think the problems are slightly different from the ones raised by Tony but I think that’s enough. I won’t go into other aspects of the environment mentioned in the article. John Bates 11487/2 HOW LONG HAVE YOU HAD YOURS? Worcs Dear Editor Thanks, John. I guessed that Tony's letter would was interested by Chris Lambert's Minor Musings in May and produce a robust response from someone, and Ithe reference to Tony Gamble and his being one of about five you haven't let me down! Electric cars are coming, members who have owned their current cars since the Sixties. I so we should all get used to the idea, even if we wonder how many, like me, have owned their current car since the might not be around. If all our gas boilers are to be Fifties? Thanks, Hamish. Let's hear rom anyone who can replaced by 2050 as well as petrol cars, someone is Hamish Wilson match you, hopefully with now and then pictures! going to make a lot of money out of it! 13203/2 Worcs Members: A single private small ad, with/without a photo, is free. Morris Mart Non-members: contact the Editor

Car for Sale Car for Sale Car for Sale Morris Minor Family Eight sliding head 1937 Morris Eight two seater 1936 Morris Eight tourer

First registered November 1932. Chassis- up rebuild completed in 2009. Including upholstery, carpets headlinings, etc. 3 My late Register pal Jeremy’s. Nice all round owners from new, original logbook. Original condition and very presentable. Needs a bit Mobility issues mean I can no longer drive registration. Full renovation records available. of tidying after little use in last two years, ‘Horace’. Rewired to 12 volt electrics, newish Multi award winner. Luggage box, spare engine but nothing a sunny afternoon would not fix. hood and side screens, engine refurbished two and 4-speed gearbox, spare wheels and tyres £10950 ovno. years ago. Usable condition but needs some included in price. Re-advertised with corrected Tom Taylor tlc. £8250 ono. email address at reduced price, £12500 ono. 07790 379 573 (Preston) Ralph Winstanley Sandy Mess [email protected] 07783 121 628 (Wigan) 01356 650 345 or 07747 496 699 (Brechin) [email protected] 46 What’s it Worth? (See p6): Asking price is £23995 Car for Sale Car for Sale Car for Sale 1936 Morris 8 1946 Morris Ten Series M 1938 Morris Eight Ser.2 4 dr fixed head saloon

Very sound and original car 73 years old this year. Owned for 41 years and it has Excellent mechanical running order with solid been garaged and MoT all of the time. Due body work, with interior in a used condition. to lack of use over the last few years I have A very good run around investment project at Original reg.no. RC 3889, current reg. 947 XUL; reluctantly decided to sell. In working order only £4000. engine number 88782; ch. no. S1.E89298. (except for the clock) and runs as well William Costello Original log book will be passed on. Mods as would be expected. Very original and Phone/text 07984 721 324 (Wilts) include all lighting. inc. flashing trafficators genuine car that’s been well cared for and [email protected] (12v LED) modified starter motor, 6 volt maintained. Included within the sale is a but has 12 volt power (all electrical mods spare engine, front wing, rear wing, back Carcoon Veloce For Sale courtesy of Auto units B'ham. Other features axle and a box of bits. Priced to sell £6000 include sun roof (manual) vanity rear window no offers. (driver operated), budgie tell tell mirrors for Tony White indicators and luggage rack and spare wheel. 01935 424 441 (Dorset) £9000. [email protected] Roy Lowe Car for Sale 0121 7645 395 or 07944 788 653 (W.Mids) 1933 Morris Minor 2 door saloon [email protected] Car for Sale 1948 Morris Eight Series E saloon

2 years old in good condition and working order. Dimensions 433 x 230 x 172cm (Indoor storage unit) Full description can be found on the Carcoon Veloce website. £280. 847cc sv engine, 4 speed gearbox. In good Full running order, no rust, excellent paintwork Richard Prior condition both interior and exterior. Good original modification, brakes cylinders & shoes 07710 394 442 (Lincs) replaced a year or two ago (got the receipt) runing order. £6500 ono. Roger Pantling Part for Sale although I took her on the first good outing Morris Z type roof ladder, wooden and green, a couple of weeks ago and brakes were down 07764 975 008 (Warks) [email protected] length 103", 2600 mm taper 14"-13" wide, steps a bit, so maybe a couple of cylinders are underwired support. Condition worn, some sticking. I have quite a bit of correspondence Literature for Sale Collection of Club Journals and Monthly news paint missing reasonable and useable, can be and club info going back few years. £4950. restored, any reasonable offer excepted Tony Hughes (ex-member) letters from when the Morris Eight Tourer Club was formed together with a large run of South Phil Hamm (non-member) 0121 354 7192 (W.Mids) 01993 704 032 (Oxon) [email protected] East Region Newsletters. A few of the early journals are copies. Offers invited for the lot [email protected] as a whole with collection from Orpington Kent Information Manual Morris Eight (Club Publ. dated 1975),£10. The Morris Eight Series E DAVID MOLYNEUX Morris Illustrated list of Spare parts dated May 1939, £25. Please contact me for further details/ information. MORRIS PISTONS Car Spares Dave Pulham for all models 01689 874 054 (Kent) [email protected] Morris 8 and Series E New and used Parts Wanted spares available For Morris Minor Two Seater 1934: For engine, used parts supplied 4x valve collets, x2x valve caps. For 4 speed gearbox: top cover, change speed lever, gear Job lots of M8 and E Enquiries welcome knob. Also, front springs, left and right, brake pedal, fuse cover, prop shaft, 2x fabric discs. parts bought Happy to assist Brackets to the steering-column, part nr 38155 (from The Complete Morris Minor Page 173,174 M8 and E abandoned pos B39 my car has ch.no. 4O629). Bracket projects/complete cars For more information, to ignition control and horn button and dip switch, oil suction pipe, oil cap engine, dip bought for contact stick. Camshaft front ball bearing 36749, retainer ring 36556, rear roller bearing 36557, spares or repair graham440@ retainer plate 36559. retainer ring 3656O. btinternet.com Housing and securing ring to rear crankshaft 01229 584 972 or bearing 36941 and 36545 (parts nos. from The 07715 059 280 or or Complete Morris Minor, page 139 and 14O). 07506 309 281 Anders Ahlkvist [email protected] +46 709 730 318 (Sweden) [email protected] Acceptance of advertisements in Morris Monthly does not imply recommendation of advertisers or their products or services by the Morris Register. When purchasing cars or spare parts from private sellers, purchasers must satisfy themselves as to the condition and value. 47 Please submit pictures Foto Finish of interest to the Editor HCVS 58th LONDON TO BRIGHTON RUN, 12th MAY More photos from Mike Adams and Ray Frampton

Left: KR 1765, 1930 Morris Light Van

Above: GGT 657, 1941 Morris Series Y Ambulance

Left: 221 EMF, Morris J Type Van

Left: EGU 185, Above: 1937 Morris KP 8800, 19928 Commercial T Type T2 Lorry Breakdown Lorry

Right: FOP 744, 1945 Morris C Type 30cwt Van