Volume 57 ORRIS Number 3 March MONTHLONTHLYY 2017
MAGAZINE OF THE MORRIS REGISTER The Club for Morris vehicles designed before 1940 www.morrisregister.co.uk 1 Volume 57 ORRIS Number 3 March ONTHLY 2017 MAGAZINEM OF THE MORRIS REGISTER
CONTENTS CHAIRMAN John Ford writes: may be speaking too soon but we appear to have missed 2/3 Chairman Ithe severe weather experienced on the continent (fingers 3 Editor crossed).We should all be looking forward to getting our cars ready for the coming season and what better way to 4 Secretary's Spot start than the NEC Classic and Restoration Show at the end of Bulletin Board March. We are in Hall 9 and look forward to your support for this first Membership Meanderings real event of the year. Earlier in the year three of the management team attended the opening of 5 Warm Welcome the new MMOC headquarters in Derby. We were all suitably impressed, What’s it Worth? not with just the offices but the storage and garage facilities they have in 6 Federation Feedback place. We, along with representatives of the other MVA clubs, sat in the boardroom for the meeting followed by a very nice lunch provided by the 8/9 Forum Files MMOC. We will be holding our club national committee meeting there 10-15 Exactly Eighty in April and although space is somewhat limited to around 30 members, I am sure we will cope. Much discussion took place about the events 16/17 Minor Musings of the year with the main focus on our National Rally in August. All the clubs plan to give us their full support for this the 3rd MVA inclusive rally, 18/19 Pictures from the Past and after the success of last time, it is not to be missed. More details later. 20/21 Trip to Malta (Part 3) Tony Nathan from East Anglia has volunteered his services to the MVA to help coordinate the other MVA clubs in future events so we can support 22/23 Jemina got to Mametz! our fellow enthusiasts, I am sure this is the way forward. 24-38 Regional Round Up The Beamish weekend on the 10/11th of June organised by Roy Pidgeon and co seems to have gained significant interest from members. We can 39 Registration Revivals now display double the amount of Morris vehicles at the site, such was 41/42 Morris Mail the interest last year, with many members dressed for the period, (I wouldn’t have a problem there then!) so I hope this becomes an annual 42/43 Morris Mart event. 44 Foto Finish We will be commencing with the design of the new website directly after
Cover picture: This photo was awarded second place in the 2016 Pre-War Network Minor photo competition with the title ‘Dorset Morris Dancing’. It was taken through the windscreen of Ken and Kate Martin’s Morris Minor saloon during the second day’s activities of the PWMN Rally in Dorset on 5th June 2016. Avril and Tim Ovenden are being overtaken by Chris and Norma Lambert who are chasing Toby and Linda Sears. [Photo: Kate 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 01225 754 981 advice on which you should rely. You must [email protected] [email protected] obtain professional or specialist advice before MEMBERSHIP SECRETARY: taking or refraining from any action based Office hours: 9 am - 5 pm, Monday to Friday on the content of this magazine. No liability Jane Nathan, 1 Fallowfield, Shoeburyness, Essex SS3 8DF is accepted for the consequences of following 0333 006 5256 [email protected] any advice provided in the magazine.
EDITOR: Rob Symonds, 49 Gorsy Road, the end of the membership year, March 31st. This will take around 6-8 Quinton, Birmingham B32 2SJ months to complete so look out for the announcements on the website [email protected] and in the mag. 0121 682 0640 We have finalised the honorary members' list and now have eight members lined up to date. They will be presented with the award at our DEADLINE National Rally in August. 14th of the month prior to publication I hope to see you at the NEC. MAGAZINE NON-ARRIVAL: EDITOR Rob Symonds writes: Please contact the Membership Secretary iven the lack of space left available for me in the last Contact details above Gcouple of magazines, I think I can be forgiven for reaching the slightly paranoid conclusion that the Chairman BACK ISSUES: may be purchased is trying to shut me up! Well, it is either that, or he is has from the Club Shop signed for creative writing classes. You be the judge! WEBSITE: www.morrisregister.co.uk I still don't have my full quota of column inches, but I suppose I should Contact: Mike Rose, Webmaster be grateful for what I get, and now I come to think of it, I don't have that [email protected] much to say! On the editorial front, there is still a slight backlog of material awaiting SMALL ADS: Post/email to: publication, but that should not (and must not) mean that members are The Editor (see above) backward in submitting items, especially now we are all just beginning to Free for members (max 1 car per month) come out of hibernation. This month's Morris Mart contains the largest Non-members: please contact for charges. collection of vehicles for sale that I can remember in a single issue and I COMPLAINTS: Any complaints hope that this has more to do with members rationalising or re-evaluating against any officer of the club, or about their Morris needs rather than giving up the marque (and the Register) the way the club is being administered altogether. It is good to see quality cars circulating within the club, and should be referred to the Secretary this month's selection all seem worthy of finding good homes, so get out your cheque books! THE PRE 1940 MORRIS REGISTER LTD DVLA Authentication Service: Members needing access to Registered Office: the Club’s scheme for registration number retention should get 70 Alderton Way, Trowbridge, in touch on 07507 264 980 or [email protected] Wiltshire BA14 0UH
©Morris Register and various authors and photographers. PRINTED BY Material published in Morris Monthly may not be published LAVENHAM PRESS elsewhere without the permission of the Editor. 01787 247 436 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 Road, 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. 33 SECRETARY Secretary’s Spot Jim Riglar
ven the best laid plans can go awry! As with last year’s renewal process, we had endorsed our Membership Secretary’s Eproposal to issue renewal reminders and forms with both the February and March issues of Morris Monthly. No doubt you will read elsewhere in Morris Monthly of the confusion that was generated last month by the failure of our magazine printer to include the first renewal form with February’s magazine. Understandably the lack of a renewal form caused confusion for many members. To rectify the omission and at its own expense, our printer then posted out the forms to all members; however without any accompanying explanatory note, this may have caused further confusion for some members! I would like both to express my thanks to and note the forbearance of our Membership Secretary, Jane Nathan, for dealing with the unexpected additional work load this has generated, and at what for her is always an extremely busy time of year dealing with the normal demands of annual renewals. With spring in the air, no doubt many of you are busy ensuring your Morrises are fit and ready for the road and a season of motoring events. One of the earlier events in the season is the Austin Morris Day at the Brooklands Museum on 12th March. I hope those of you who can attend will enjoy the day. For my part, whilst both of my cars are running, I still have some work to do on both before they need to go back into regular use in a few weeks' time. MSA CERTIFICATES OF EXEMPTION f you are organising a local, regional or national event on behalf of the Morris Register you are reminded that an MSA ICertificate of Exemption may be required and that an application should be made at least a month before your event. Further details can be found in the “notes for events organisers”, available on our website: http://morrisregister.co.uk/ notes-for-event-organisers/ If you require assistance or further guidance, and in the absence of a club MSA Officer (the post is still vacant), then contact me at [email protected] or 01225 754 981 and I will assist. Bulletin Board
NATIONAL COMMITTEE MEETING his will take place on Saturday 8th April commencing at 11 am. Venue is the MMOC Offices, Derby Conference TCentre, London Road, Alvaston, Derby, DE24 8UX. BROOKLANDS AUSTIN-MORRIS DAY (aka MORRIS-AUSTIN DAY) takes place at the Surrey museum on Sunday 12th March (see advert on page 7). Members are cordially invited to come along. The day provides an excellent opportunity to see the latest developments in the restoration of the finishing straight to its pre-1939 condition. Less atttactive might be the prospect of bumping into the club chairman and editor, making a rare appearance south of the Midlands. MEMBERSHIP SEC Membership Meanderings Jane Nathan
hank you to those who have already sent in their renewals. I am sorry about the mix up with the forms this year. They Twere sent to the printer to send out with the magazine as always, but unfortunately, they omitted to do so, resulting in them having to post them once the magazines had already started to arrive at their destinations. This was at their expense, I hasten to add. Also, the membership numbers had been omitted. You will be receiving another copy with your March edition of Morris Monthly, as is always the case. This is to remind those who forgot or lost their February renewal forms. If you have already paid, then please disregard the second form. Many members paying via direct debit have asked why they receive renewal forms. This is because it serves as a reminder to any who may have changed their bank details since the previous year. I am also making a plea: please use your membership number if you possibly can. This does save quite a bit of time and helps to make sure the records are correct. This includes members renewing via PayPal. Membership cards will arrive with May's Morris Monthly. Thank you, and please keep the renewals rolling in!
4 New and returning members Warm Welcome
NO. MEMBER LOCATION eMAIL CAR DETAILS Paul & Lesley 1948 Eight Series E Saloon 10241 Raisen Warwicks CV37 [email protected] 1948 Eight Series E 4 Door saloon 13986 Barry Sherratt Merseyside CH42 [email protected] 1934 Minor 2 Door saloon Gordon & Rosemary gordonandrosemarycox 13987 Cox Glasgow G61 @gmail.com 1933 Minor sv 2 Seater Sydney & Jacqueline 13988 Young Bristol BS39 [email protected] 1938 Eight Series 2 Tourer 13989 Graham Bunter Dorset DT [email protected] 1938 Eight Series 2 Tourer
13990 Robert Chamberlain Leics LE19 [email protected] 1932 Minor sv 2 Door saloon Timothy & Daphne 13991 Norridge Oxon OX5 [email protected] 1948 Ten Series M Tourer 13992 Darrell Lewis Carmarthens SA16 [email protected] 1935 Eight Series 1 4 Door sliding head
13993 Roger Pearce South Africa [email protected] 1934 Ten Four Saloon
13994 Paul Ralph Wiltshire BA14 [email protected]
13995 Robert Gregson Derbys DE11 [email protected] 1937 Eight Series 2 2 Seater Gary & Elizabeth 13996 Cooper Essex SS5 [email protected] 1935 Eight Series 1 Tourer 13997 Jonathan Barwick Shetland ZE2 [email protected] 1933 Minor Side Valve 2 Seater Douglas & Celia 13998 Percival Northants NN11 [email protected] 13999 Peter Smith N.Yorks. BD23 [email protected]
1935/6 Eight 4 door saloon What’s it Worth?
urrently advertised on classiccarsforsale.co.uk Cwhere the vendor states: "This is a 1935-36 Morris 8 four door saloon that a previous owner started to restore. I purchased the Morris a few years ago with all good intentions of restoring. Space, time and money have now forced the sale of this wonderful restoration project. The Morris was discovered in 2014 in a dry barn and it had not seen daylight for the last 40 or so years. I was told that the previous owner started to restore the car back in the 1970s/1980s but was abandoned at a lightly stripped stage. The Morris can be described currently as a rolling car. The axles, steering, chassis, body petrol tank and interior are in place as found. I believe the only body panels that are missing are the running boards. The car was purchased from an estate that had to be cleared and unfortunately the Morris does not have any paperwork. I have not had chance to check the body or chassis for numbers or applying for a V5 but would imagine the Morris Club could help. The Morris is currently stored in a corner of my garage but recently has become a corner of anything and everything due to loss of storage recently. I think that if you are seriously interested in the Morris please contact me and I can show you the car, as photos will not do the car justice. It would be nice to think this charming vintage vehicle will be bought back to life and ready to enjoy for the future." Answer on Page 43
5 FBHVC REP Federation Feedback Pat Farmer
FBHVC REPORT – FEBRUARY 2017 (Issue 1) DVLA here is a report in this month’s FBHVC News covering DVLA matters which are covered elsewhere in this edition of TMorris Monthly by Tom Bourne, DVLA Officer & Club Historian.
LOW EMISSION ZONES he FBHVC are aware that members are constantly concerned that the roll-out of Low Emission Zones, currently Tbeing rebranded by the Department of the Environment Farming and the Regions (DEFRA) as Clean Air Zones, as they affect more than the emissions from vehicles, will cause constraints on the use of their historic vehicles. The signs remain good that our special position as the protectors of heritage is recognised in government, of whichever political stripe. There have been two recent developments, both of these good. The first is that in its move to bring forward the implementation of the proposed Ultra Low Emissions Zone in London and to extend its boundaries, initiated by the current Mayor, Transport for London (TfL) has nevertheless been clear that vehicles in the historic registration class remain exempt. There was concern that in the interim measure, to introduce an ‘Old Vehicle Surcharge’ into the existing London Congestion Charge until the ULEZ is in place, historic vehicles were not to be excluded. This was not truly illogical as historic vehicles have of course always been liable to pay the London Congestion Charge itself. However, following their initial consultation, TfL recognised the inconsistency with ULEZ policy and their current proposals, set out in the implementing legislation, do introduce an exclusion from liability for the surcharge. The Federation, in response to a second consultation from TfL setting out these proposals, has asked that a method be found of extending the exemption to vehicles from overseas, particularly as they are aware that schemes in several neighbouring countries do offer such an exemption to visiting historic vehicles. Interestingly, their logic is that these charges are an economic encouragement for people to change their non-compliant vehicles, and that this does not apply to vehicles deliberately preserved for the purposes of historic heritage. That same argument to justify the exemption of historic vehicles has been produced in the consultation which DEFRA and DfT together issued in October to cover future Clean Air Zones, the first of which are slated to occur in Birmingham, Leeds, Nottingham, Derby and Southampton. The proposals provide a common consistent framework for local authorities to follow in setting up these Zones and make clear that departures from the framework would need to be approved centrally.
ROADWORTHINESS TESTING he FBHVC set out in their last Newsletter in some detail how they had responded to the Consultations on Roadworthiness TTesting from the Department for Transport (DfT). They have as yet had no indication of what conclusions DfT have been drawn from the responses to its consultation. So we do not know if the DfT will proceed with its preferred option, a right to exemption from MoT testing for ‘Vehicles of Historic Interest’ over 40 years old. As we explained, we were concerned that the proposal, and particularly the proposed use of the existing ‘8 point rule’ to decide upon what constituted such a vehicle, were not fully thought out, that the proposed distinction was difficult to make and indeed that the 8 point rule was not really suitable for the assessment of vehicles which had not been disassembled, as most would not have been. On the assumption that DfT will probably proceed with providing the right to exemption as they intended however, we have written to DfT directly asking that they discuss the issues with us before they are implemented. We will be seeking the support of the APPHVG a dialogue under way.
FUEL NEWS he Federation responded to the recent Department for Transport consultation on Amendments to the Renewable TTransport Fuel Obligations Order expressing our concerns about the use of fuel containing ethanol in historic vehicles. FBHVC have just received a letter from DfT which includes the following statements, which we think we should share with you. "You [FBHVC] note that the protection and requirement to make available E5 in the Motor Fuel (Composition and Contents) Regulations has not been required as E10 has not been rolled out. You also ask that all possible steps will be taken to ensure the continued widespread availability throughout the United Kingdom of a petrol fuel grade with no more than 5% ethanol, and when E10 might be introduced." "We are in regular contact with suppliers on the potential roll out of E10 and there are no immediate plans to roll out that E10 in the UK, and we aim to consult this year on proposals to amend the Motor Fuel (Composition and Content) Regulations to ensure an E5 petrol grade is made available in the event that E10 is rolled out in the UK." "This should serve to allay fears of a rapid introduction in the UK of E10 fuel and phase out of E5.”
As always, the full text of FBHVC News is available or if you would like any further information regarding FBHVC, please contact me. Pat Farmer 01536 711 620 or [email protected]
6 COME AND SEE HUNDREDS OF AUSTIN AND MORRIS VEHICLES AT BROOKLANDS MUSEUM SUNDAY 12TH MARCH 1 0A M - 5P M
AND
ASCENTS OF TEST HILL* • CLUB DISPLAYS GROUP PHOTO ON THE BANKING• CAVALCADE* CLUB ENQUIRIES: BROOKLANDS MUSEUM [email protected] BROOKLANDS ROAD, WEYBRIDGE, (APPLICATIONS IN BY 1st MARCH PLEASE) SURREY KT13 0QN PRE-BOOKING FORMS ON THE WEBSITE 01932 857381 WWW.BROOKLANDSMUSEUM.COM NORMAL MUSEUM ADMISSION *LIMITED SPACES, BOOK ON THE DAY. CHARGES APPLY
7 January on the Forum Forum Files Bob Williams
mile stone! In January the 2000th new topic post was have cleaned the old pipes. As an aside though here is a A raised on the Morris Register Forum. The first to be question for you all. Just why do car manufacturers even logged after testing was Steve’s: Brake Fluid Morris 8 now always use ordinary steel brake pipes on new cars? on 4th April 2013, 3 years and 9 months earlier. Subsequent The cost difference is minimal per car. Is it just in the hope new posts resulted in approx. 12,000 replies, an average of they will sell more cars or get them back into their main 6 replies per post. dealers for work? You only have to look at almost any MOT failure and there will be a mention of corroded brake pipes. Brake Fluid is a subject that re-occurs, as it did this month They never seem to use the better quality steel/copper/ in Bob M’s post: Butler Sidelight and Brake pipes: nickel alloy materials which will alleviate this problem.” “In my efforts to solve a problem with rusty and jammed Murray: “The way I measure brake pipes that are still brake pistons I am now at a stage where I have had to on the car is to use a length of single core copper wire replace pistons and cylinders and it seems now also that I that I run along the pipe forming the exact same shape, need to replace the copper brake pipes. I need to get pipe sometimes this has needed cable ties to keep it exact on measurements to Automec to ensure that they have the long or fiddly routes, then I cut the wire in the right place, correct replacement pipes. Before I take off the old pipes then it can then be removed and measured in a straight does anyone have advice about the best method of going line, often brake pipes have a place where a little leeway is about this? The floors are up but the body is still on the car possible and a little extra can be allowed.” as it is not a full restoration”. Bob W: “To clean my brake pipes I used meths injected Mike was first to respond: “Not exactly answering your into pipes using a syringe and then blowing through with question but I would recommend changing to Automec a compressor. I did this a number of times. You will need Silicone brake fluid at the same time. No more corrosion to put a board or something at the other end of pipe to problems after that! You will have to ensure that ALL catch the oil blown through, it can make quite a mess. rubbers are new and that all old fluid is thoroughly flushed I changed to silicone when my master cylinder failed. out of any existing brake parts. This includes the master Replaced master cylinder, all hoses and rubbers in the cylinder. Well worth the effort in my opinion.” brake cylinders. Definitely recommend silicone.” Chris: “Have to ask. What’s wrong with the old copper Grumpyjohn: “I use silicone fluid as well and don’t know brake pipes?” if it is just my imagination but the brakes seem to work Back to Bob M: “There does not appear to be anything better than with the old hydraulic fluid?” major wrong with them although my knowledge is fairly Brian: “Steel brake pipes are supposed to be safer than rudimentary and I have no idea how long they have been copper and modern cars have a double flare. If you are on the car – they look as though they have been there for removing old copper pipes and altering the bend(s) you many years. I plan to use DOT 5 fluid to get away from need to do a heat treatment job on them, as copper the rust problems. The pipes have debris/crud plus some hardens with age and bending, to soften them for bending of the DOT 4 fluid in them and it was suggested that I or relieving stress. I have been told that it is illegal to fit used compressed air to clear them out as mixing DOT 4 copper brake pipes in Australia.” and DOT 5 is not good. In asking advice about this it was Tony: “Automec made new copper brake pipes for my Z suggested that wear on the chassis fixings and flare on the van and they did an excellent job. They can provide pipes pipes might lend itself to replacing the set. As this is all new to the original bore and original size fittings. Like you I had to me and I am using knowledge gained from watching my to provide an exact specification of the pipes. Silicone fluid father skin his knuckles and advice and reading what I can, is much better but always use it in a clean system. Do not I do not want to make an error that means doing all the use any cylinder rubbers that have been in contact with work again. As enjoyable as it is, it is also time consuming non-silicone fluids. The Automec silicone fluid is excellent. and I would like to be able to stop the car with confidence When using it pour it very gently and allow any bubbles when the need arises! I have toyed with the idea that I in the reservoir to come to the surface before bleeding. think you are suggesting as it is the easiest option but I also I found it can take a couple of days (overall) to bleed a want to take the safest route that I can. What would your system because of this. Also, note that brake fluid to the preference be?” spec of 5.1 is not suitable. This can cause confusion. 5.0 is Chris replied: “I am always cautious with both safety on silicone but 5.1 is polyethylene glycol. The Automec fluid the one hand and “nit pickers” on the other. Modern brake is 5.0 which is fine. And I would stick with copper brake pipes tend to be very small bore so may not look right and pipes. They are much easier to bend and thread through so called Concourse experts might object to them. On the narrow gaps. Steel which is not pre-shaped for the job can other hand modern pipes of the right materials and size be a pig!” would be OK. Providing the old ones are not showing signs of wear through vibration on the clips I would re-use them. The Morris Register Forum can deal with international A bit of rubber under the clip would ensure this. The new issues as seen in Simon’s post: New Zealand Bans Lycra. end fittings also can be a problem in that they might not fit He asked New Zealand’s Richard: “Are you responsible for the old remaining bits unless the supplier is aware of this. the headlines in our papers today. Not quite the correct Re cleaning the old pipes out. Has anybody got a good attire for driving a Morris?” method of doing this? I have heard that meths is a possible Richard had no idea what Simon was referring to so cleaner but have never tried it. I do use Automec DOT 5 Simon attached a link in his next post that related to an silicone fluid in my 10/4 and am about to refit the brakes article in the Times newspaper: into my Eight saloon so I also need to DOT 5 that after I Lycra, beanies, high-tops: the middle-age no-nos 8 A new study claims that Brian : “Wonder what your Mamils* may be risking their son will be wearing soon? health. They are certainly Will you forbid him to ride scaring children. In April in the Morris?” last year the Plough Hotel Ronnie replied: “Young in Rangiora, New Zealand, Jamie passed the Driving decided to ban Lycra cycling Test last summer and now shorts, claiming that the regards his mum’s car as his “bumps and bulges” revealed own. He is quite smart with by the tight-fitting sports it but has not yet worked attire were inappropriate out how to re-fuel it. He and “unsightly”. To “raise is a car enthusiast but this dress standards”, Mike is more along the lines of Saunders, the co-owner, Jeremy Clarkson, which Above: Mamils Simon Mills and actor David Walliams training for put a sign outside his is not my cup of tea. He Sport Relief [Chris McAndrew for The Times] premises that read: “The feigns disinterest in the Below: Proper Morris attire - plus fours, sports jacket, flat cap and bicycle is a beautiful object Morris but never fails the mandatory tie but they should never to take friends into the have invented Lycra! garage to see it. I think I No Lycra shorts allowed can make a petrol-head please. I am not against out of him yet.” (Sounds Lycra in general,” Saunders like there might still be commented. “Just Lycra hope for him). shorts. A lot of our customers are elderly or children and *For those unaware, a they don’t need to know that Mamil or MAMIL (an much detail about the shape acronym standing for of somebody.” "middle-aged man in Richard responded by lycra") is someone who attaching a 1930’s Morris 8 rides an expensive racing advert and adding “Quite bicycle for leisure, wearing right, too. 1930's garb of professional style body- plus-fours, sports jacket, hugging jerseys and shorts. tie, and flat cap is infinitely more becoming. You could be just a few The international debate clicks away from getting then continued. Bob: “My involved in another dad was a cyclist all his life. When young he raced, we have international debate or moving the forum on towards its some medals and trophies, but then became a country 3000th posting, just long on. lane rider. When he retired he took up racing again and Bob Williams yes, wore Lycra, leaving little to the imagination.” ([email protected]) Ronnie: “Shortly after I bought my two-seater I got a tweed Norfolk jacket, check shirt and flat cap from a retro shop EDITOR’S NOTE: for going to rallies. I thought I looked quite dashing but my Any member intending to act upon advice given in the son, who was about ten at the time, refused to travel in the Forum or to use any products or services mentioned, is car with me.” strongly recommended to read the Morris Register Back to Richard: “What? No plus-fours, Ronnie? Shame disclaimer at the top of page 3 of Morris Monthly. on you.”
9 Items of interest Exactly Eighty from The Morris Owner magazine, March 1937 IF PETROL FAILS TO REACH THE CARBURETTER
SIGNS of starvation of the engine are rarely to be laid at the fuel-pump's door. These notes deal with the procedure for diagnosis and remedy in such cases
WNERS of Morris cars who have ever seen the Oinside of a petrol pump must be numerically trivial, for the S.U. pressure pump now standardised on all Morris, M.G. and Wolseley cars is so reliable Uncoupling the fuel line from the tank as scarcely ever to demand attention other than cleaning the filter occasionally. One can even go so far as to say that should the said, it is most unlikely that we shall have to carry engine show signs of a fuel shortage we can almost our investigations so far. assume that the fault is elsewhere than in the Trouble may conceivably be due to a bad earth — mechanism of the pump; either a petrol stoppage in that is to say, the wire leading back to the frame may the filter of the pump or the one to the carburetter, or have a poor connection at one end or the other. alternatively a sticking needle in the float-chamber. This can easily be settled by making contact between Therefore, our first efforts in the case of a petrol the brass body of the pump and some part of the shortage should be centred upon separating the pump chassis. We must be absolutely certain that we are from the carburetter by disconnecting the union and making metallic contact on the bare metal itself. It switching on the engine. If we hear a clicking sound— is conceivable that, for convenience, we may have to showing that the pump is functioning—and the petrol scrape an eighth of an inch of enamel away with a flows, the trouble is obviously in the carburetter. But screwdriver first. If our efforts are rewarded with a if the pump does not work as it should we must view supply of petrol our investigations are over: we only it with suspicion. For the benefit of those new drivers have to clean the connections. who might be misled by an empty tank, one should An elusive trouble, in which the pump sometimes mention that a continuous tapping usually indicates works and sometimes does not, can be attributed to that the tank is dry. the nut on the terminal on the inside of the cover Keep the Filter Clean having become loose, and it is as well, in any event, We should remove the filter under the pump, indicated to check it for tightness. in the sketch, and, if necessary, clean it. We can then We have now eliminated external causes, and if our disconnect the petrol pipe in communication with efforts have not met with success, we must assume the tank, and, to satisfy ourselves that it is clear, that there is something amiss with the mechanism blow down it with a tyre pump and connect up again. of the pump. Now if the shortage persists we can be reasonably Few Faults certain that the fault must be nailed down to the Trouble with the pump itself can be, to all intents and instrument itself — although, as we have already purposes, tied down to either too much tension on the diaphragm — and/or blackened contact points, as the latter follow as a matter of course in time on a diaphragm which is too tight — or obstructed valves. A close-up of The points can be cleaned by removing the cover and the contact passing a piece of thin cardboard moist with petrol, points or a good substitute is the side of a matchbox — the (indicated by striking portion — between them. the arrow) We now have to relieve the tension on the diaphragm. situated First of all we take out the six screws which hold the inside the bakelite diaphragm to the base of the pump. The diaphragm cover at the will now be found to be attached to the body of the end of the pump, from which we can separate it very carefully pump and gently by interposing a knife blade between it and the metal. It ought to be mentioned that the diaphragm is 10 The procedure is as follows: We screw the diaphragm inwards until the trip mechanism fails to operate. Then we unscrew it, say, two holes at a time until the trip just goes over, when the diaphragm is pushed inwards. We now unscrew it a further four holes, which is equal to two-thirds of a turn. During this process the contact blade should be moved to one side. We are now ready to reinstate the body on the base of the pump by means of the six screws already referred to. The filter in One ought to add that this trouble does not develop the base of the pump suddenly. It comes about by a gradual tensioning removed for of the diaphragm, as already explained. Therefore, cleaning should we find the pump working intermittently or taking a few seconds to begin operations after supported on a number of small rollers, and we switching on, we should be suspicious and investigate must take great care that they do not fall out in the matters immediately to avoid being held up on the process. road. We now replace the body in its base and engage the The Meaning of Noise six screws a few turns, and in order to be certain that Pumps sometimes become noisy; they operate too the diaphragm is correctly stretched, we switch on frequently for the amount of petrol delivered. Such the pump and hold the contact points together while symptoms are invariably traced to an air leak in one of tightening the screws with the other hand. the joints, including (although unlikely) that between Care Needed the body and the base. To remedy union shortcomings It is most important that we do not allow the we should go over them with a spanner, and tighten diaphragm to rotate during these operations, the screws in the latter event. Whether or not an air otherwise we shall upset its adjustment relative to leak exists on the tank side of the system may be the tripping mechanism. This adjustment is rather easily established beyond doubt by fitting a short critical. length of rubber tubing over the union and inserting If by any chance the adjustment should be upset the loose end in a can of petrol. A small quantity in accidentally (by allowing the diaphragm to rotate) a clean jam jar or bottle is sufficient. If under these it is a relatively simple matter to establish the conditions everything is in order, it is clear that there adjustment again. is a leak somewhere in the feed pipe from the tank. Thin oil on the unions should reveal it. Very occasionally, despite the fact that there is plenty of petrol in the tank, the pump may be heard working without delivering any fuel, due to the circumstance that a speck of dirt has got past the filter and lodged under one of the valves. Access can be gained to them by unscrewing the top of the delivery union, and removing the valve case complete, when they can be easily cleaned and reassembled. It will be manifest that the entire system is really very simple in construction and there is very little that can go wrong provided that ordinary clean petrol is used and the filters in the system are occasionally cleaned, just as one would with a gravity fed or any other petrol system.
THE S.U. PRESSURE PUMP IN DETAIL A Body M Magnet housing How the diaphragm B Filter O Armature may be separated C Inlet union P Bronze rod from the body of D Outlet union Q Magnet core the pump with a E Delivery valve cage S Brass rollers thin-bladed knife El Brass plate S1 Volute spring — note the roller F & G Fibre washers U & Ul Contact bearings revealed H Delivery valve breaker rockers in the process. I Spring clip V Spring blade J Light spring W Terminal K Suction valve Z Hinge pin L Diaphragm assembly 11 SOLDERING IS SO SIMPLE
A few rules to observe in order to ensure a successful joint between metals
that if working on zinc or galvanised iron, "killed" hydrochloric acid must be used. Sal ammoniac is perhaps as good as anything for iron or steel. The iron should be heated in a smokeless flame provided by a gas ring, Primus stove or blowlamp, and while it is warming up place some of the flux you have elected to use in the lid of a small tin. When Cleaning an oil-pipe with emery strip the iron is hot enough to melt the end of your stick of solder (and that is before it gets red hot, which N accomplishment which may be of considerable you must at all times endeavour to avoid) it will be Avalue to the owner who personally cares for his observed that there is a greenish tint in the flame. car is the ability to solder neatly. Many people are Now quickly clean up the tip and four faces of the accustomed to regard quite simple soldering jobs as iron while hot with a smooth file, and place its point feats only to be attempted in the last extremity, and in the compound in the lid, bringing the end of the the wisdom of their decision is only too frequently solder stick into contact with it at the same time. apparent on examination of their efforts. An untidy Some of the molten solder will adhere to the bit, and soldered joint may well prove far from efficient in the by slowly turning the latter over, all four faces may final outcome. be coated. The process of soft soldering, however, need not Preparing the Joint frighten anyone if only the one essential concession We are now ready to begin the actual job. It is always to success be religiously interpreted — absolute well worth while, wherever practicable, to tin the cleanliness. The most expert operator would fail to cleaned surfaces of the proposed joint before actually make a good joint if he disregarded this, the one vital bringing them together. If they are not very large it necessity. may suffice merely to rub the heated iron over them, Scrupulous Cleanliness assuming that the iron has been properly tinned as Surfaces to be soldered should, therefore, first of all be brought up quite bright, and a file, scraper, or emery cloth may be used for the purpose, removing any metal dust afterwards with a clean, dry rag. Tinning the end of The most convenient solder for amateur use is that the pipe before the known as "tinman's solder". It is sold in convenient cleaned and heated sized sticks and, melting at a fairly low heat, presents union is slipped on no difficulty in manipulation. Choose an iron with a good sized copper bit, because one that is too small rapidly loses heat. The next most important point to ensure success is to see that the tip of the iron is properly tinned. It is quite possible that it will be when you buy it, but it is as well to know how to tin it, because if, in your inexperience, you overheat the iron, it will want doing again. The next and last requisite is some sort of flux, the medium used to prevent oxidation of the surfaces being joined. Proprietary preparations such as Baker's Fluid, Fluxite, etc., are very convenient for general use and give good results. It is as well to mention here, however, that chloride of zinc, resin, or sal ammoniac are very generally used for soldering brass, gunmetal and copper articles, but 12 electrically heated examples as well as a neat kind which burns petrol contained in its handle, and all are equally efficient. The last mentioned, I believe, may be bought for about seven and sixpence. Electrical Connections Small electrical connections, of course, cannot be soldered in a flame where insulating material is in close proximity. For these jobs, rather smaller irons are sometimes required, and for most, the merest Showing the method spot of solder suffices to make a neat joint. Here of tinning the iron bit; again it is particularly important to remove all traces observe how a coating of flux before calling it a day and putting the job into of solder spreads over commission. the tip To conclude these notes it may be helpful to introduce the novice to a very simple just described. If they are fairly large method of joining two ends The iron prepared in extent, however, it will probably of wire or cable together with for work be found advisable to apply more solder. The ends must, of course, solder, passing iron and solder over be thoroughly cleaned where the the metal together. It only remains solder is to run — in the case of then to re-heat the iron, put a little flux on the joint faces and again apply the iron, moving it slowly to and fro over the joint. When the solder is flowing freely, make certain that the parts of the joint are making good, firm contact, and then allow the whole thing to cool and set. When sufficiently cold, carefully clean off all traces of flux to obviate corrosion; application of a petrol-soaked rag will take care of this. Painting the Some small soldering jobs can be accomplished quite work with well without using an iron. Petrol and oil pipe unions flux after can be fixed rather more conveniently by doing the it has been actual heating operations in the flame of a blowlamp, thoroughly spirit lamp or bunsen burner direct, but care must cleaned be taken that they are not allowed to become too hot. The cleanliness rule is just as applicable here, and after the pipe ends have been carefully and smoothly tinned and a spot of flux applied to both pipe and union, the latter can be warmed and slipped on to the tinned end of the pipe. Then put both together in the flame until the solder runs evenly. Finally, clean off all flux as before and the job is done. Possibly one of the factors which most commonly militate against a novice making a neat job of his initial attempts is the fact that the ordinary soldering stranded cables this is particularly important, and a iron is steadily losing heat from the moment when thorough soaking in clean petrol is advised in order it is removed from the flame. Patent self-heating to remove all traces of grease and the proposed joint irons, however, are obtainable which overcome this neatly twisted together. Obtain an old spoon with a objection, and although they are naturally more fair-sized bowl, melt some solder in it, put a spot of expensive, may be well worth the extra cost when a flux on the joint and immerse it in the solder. Lift the good deal of use is found for them. There are gas and wire out and the trick is done. H.F. IN BRIEF USSIA'S output of motorcars ELINE ROADFARERS. A WITNESS at Wood Green Rhas risen from 1000 in 1929 Fcat named Toby travelled a APolice Court stated: "I have to 97,000 in1935. distance of 300 miles, from East never owned a motorcar. I have DURING the hearing of a motoring Kent to Downderry. This beats never driven a motorcar. I have case at Wood Green police court, Mick, who recently travelled from never been driven in a motorcar, solicitor asked motorist: "Is your Erith to Brixham, a distance of and I don't want a motorcar." car of a popular make?" 250 miles. Mick died, but Toby Was this the man who drew up the Motorist: "Yes, it's been stolen recovered. Road Traffic Act? twice in the last six months." 13 Wolseleys in the Monte Carlo Rally OR the second year in succession a standard FWolseley "25" has won the Grand Prix d'Honneur, as well as first prize in the Coachwork and Comfort Competition in the Monte Carlo Rally. It was driven by FOR THE CORONATION — Miles of streets in the Mr. S. C. H. Davis of The Autocar. It is interesting to Metropolis are to be closed to traffic on Coronation observe that the new Wolseley sells for £425 and was, Day. To help motorists who have business near this of course, in competition with cars costing very much proscribed area, the R.A.C. has prepared some 10,000 more to increase safety. route signs Crystal Palace Meetings An £11,000,000 Road Scheme HE International Road Racing Club announces NATIONAL five-year road plan for the Union of Tthat three of its meetings for the current season ASouth Africa was referred to in a speech by Dr. have been given international status by various Wagener at the Morris Works at Cowley recently. controlling bodies. They are the Coronation Grand Dr. Wagener is in charge of a party of students from Prix for motorcycles on 15th May, the International the South African College on a two months' tour in Cup for cycles on 15th June, and the Imperial Europe. Trophy for cars on 9th October. Dr. Wagener said that the present £11,000,000 There is also a Coronation Trophy Race for cars to national road scheme just initiated will mean 7000 be held on the 24th April, which will be the first miles of new roads in the Union, running from meeting to be run on the new circuit. Cape Town to the Limpopo, with roads from George, Port Elizabeth and East London, connecting at Bloemfontein, and also one from Durban linking up with the main road at Johannesburg. There will also be a new coastal road from Cape Town to Durban. Dr. Wagener added that the effect of the new roads will be an even greater popularity for the type of British light car which the visitors had today seen assembled at Cowley.
ABOVE: BUSINESS AS USUAL — The recent Thames Valley floods could not hinder this 8-10 cwt. Morris van here seen carrying on through the inundated Old Windsor Road LEFT: ABYSSINIA BOUND — This Morris Eight tourer has been supplied by Bath Garages Limited to the order of the Emperor of Abyssinia for the use of his son, the Duke of Harar
FOR SERVICE IN SOUTHSEA — These extensive new premises have recently been opened in Clarendon Road, Southsea, by Messrs. Wadham Bros. Limited, who now have some fourteen Morris Service Depots at Portsmouth, Southampton, Winchester and Chichester 14 RUNNING HINTS IN PICTURES No. 69 Lubricating the distributor on the Series II Tens and Twelves
1. Spring back the securing clips and lift off the distributor head and then —
2. — withdraw the moulded rotating arm, which merely pulls off. (When replacing take care that the arm is refitted correctly, and is pushed on to its shaft as far as possible)
1
3 2
3. — Then remove the two small screws in the edges of the distributor casing as here shown. This will enable the contact breaker 4 unit to be removed —
4. — exposing the automatic timing control mechanism. Which may then have a 5. — While the contact breaker few drops of thin machine is off, the rocker-arm pivot oil on its moving parts may also be given a spot of thin oil
5 7 6 6. — The small oiler on the side of the unit must be lubricated with the same grade of oil every 1000 miles
7. — Finally, before replacing the distributor head, wipe the four collector studs with a clean rag
The complete edition of The Morris Owner for March 1937 is available as a pdf on the website Other items of interest include: • Wheel Spin Implies Bad Driving • The Latest MG Two-Litre • Forerunners of Petrol 15 Minor Musings Chris Lambert The White Minor in Competition in the Fifties erhaps the most iconic of all pre-war Minors was that driven by Barbara Skinner at various sprints and hill-climbs in Pthe period from 1934 until 1937. Known as the White Minor it won many awards with Barbara at the wheel, both car and driver gaining deserved reputations as a result. Their exploits are recorded in detail in Mike Harvey’s excellent book ‘Skinner Union – A history of the Skinner family and the S.U. company’ published by the S.U. Carburetter Company 2015 (ISBN 978 09934234 0 6) The car’s post- war history is less well documented. After Barbara Bolster’s (née Skinner) untimely death on 3rd January 1942 the car remained in the Bolster family, eventually being rebuilt by John Bolster after the war. He replaced the blown and unrepairable Morris Robert Potter driving the White Minor at Tempsford airfield – late fifties engine with that from a 10HP Ford and re-registered the car in 1952. What happened to the car after its sale in 1955 has always been somewhat sketchy but what follows will hopefully provide another missing piece to that jigsaw along with the discovery that its competition days did not end in the pre-war years. A recent conversation with the current long-term custodian of the White Minor, David Baldock, resulted in an exchange of emails with one of the cars owners from the mid-fifties. Robert Potter was an 18-year old when a friendship with near neighbour Gregor Grant (founder and editor of Autosport magazine from 1950-1969) resulted in Robert’s father, Leslie purchasing the White Minor (on behalf of his son) from John Bolster in March 1955. Robert recollects that his father paid £180 for the car which had been road registered (perhaps not for the first time*) as PKJ 274. Robert recalls that at the time the car was fitted with a Ford E93A 1172cc side valve engine and an MG J2 gearbox. Robert used the car daily for his commute from north-west London to Chelsea where he was a student attending the College of Automobile and Aeronautical Engineering. Following a move to Borg Warner in Letchworth, Herts, Robert was alerted to a forthcoming sprint event at the former S.O.E. airfield at Tempsford, Beds where upon gaining an entry, the White Minor won its class, competing against similarly engined Lotus 6s. This may well have been the car’s first competitive outing since its last appearance at Shelsley Walsh when driven by Barbara Skinner on 5th June 1937. Unfortunately, Robert doesn’t indicate precisely the date that the Tempsford event occurred. Next, a family move to Farningham, Kent, took place requiring a change to a London based job. Robert struck up a friendship with a similarly aged man (Tony Cooper) who lived immediately next door to his new home. They both shared a passion for sporting cars where, in Tony’s parents' large garage, they spent many hours fettling the ‘special’. Robert recollects that this included the fitting of Alfin brake drums, new front cycle wings and fifteen-inch wire wheels among other small modifications. Robert’s new abode was located just five miles from the Brands Hatch racing circuit and it was here that the car’s sporting history continued, only thirteen miles distant from its former home at the Bolster’s residence in Hildenborough. Robert writes that during this period he “…did a few more sprint meetings, again usually winning the class.” Shortly after this he sold the car to his neighbour, and by now close friend Tony Cooper. By February 1962, after several more changes in ownership, the car could be seen advertised for sale by the Gold Seal 16 Car Co. of Newcross, London SE 14. A panel ad appeared in that month’s edition of Motor Sport magazine alongside which was a photograph of the car, showing it fitted with very early Minor wheels and appearing ‘well-used’. The ad made much of its Bolster connection and this probably helped justify its £160 price tag. It was eventually sold by Gold Seal to two friends, John Fitzpatrick and C.H. Jockel from Heston in Middlesex, at some point passing into the sole ownership of Mr. Fitzpatrick. The car remained in his custody until 1983 although it was clear that very little, if any, restoration workhad taken place in PKJ 274 in the paddock at Tempsford the intervening period. It was then bought by the late Bev Hicks (co-founder with Roy Chasmar of this club) following a letter to the Morris Register from the then owner, advising of its current state of dilapidation and its offer of sale. Bev’s motive for buying the car was to save this historic and important Morris vehicle, which happily he succeeded in doing. In 1985 Bev sold the car to its current custodian David Baldock and the long restoration road commenced. This story is extremely well documented in the Mike Harvey book mentioned earlier. The writer visited David Baldock in September 2015 and viewed at first hand the restored vehicle. It is very close to taking to the road (or should that read track?) once again and is a fitting tribute to the memory of Barbara Skinner who drove the car with such elan throughout the mid- thirties.
(The three Robert Potter sourced images illustrating this article are the only known post-war photographs of the White Minor in competition – although there must be others)
* During the pre-war period the White Minor carried at least three differing registration plates including AOC 673, YF 15 (this registration usually seen attached to another Skinner Special – a Morris Cowley based car driven by Barbara Skinner at Shelsley Walsh in 1933) and a third registration with a six letter/numeral plate beginning with the letter ‘B’ and concluding with the figure ‘5’, the intervening letters and numerals being obscured by a competition plate. It seems that the car was driven back and forth to events on the King's highway with scant regard to the regulations concerning the licencing of vehicles. At Brands Hatch picking up another class win
Sources: David Baldock archive, Motor Sport, Robert Potter, ‘Skinner Union’ by Mike Harvey
17 Abnormal loads: Above: This picture comes from Tim Harding’s collection. Tim has generously allowed your presenter free access to his Morris photographs for use in ‘Morris Monthly’, for which we thank him heartily. As he buys mainly photographs taken by amateurs, it is unlikely that they have ever been published before. More of his photographs will be shown in the future! Nothing is known about the owner or the location here, but the car is a 1929 model 14/28hp Morris Oxford ‘Dome-Back’ saloon reg- istered in Middlesex and described in Morris literature as ‘the car to meet the requirements of every occasion’. [Tim Harding’s Collection]
Left: Here is another photograph from Tim Harding. The 1932 model Morris Minor Two-Seater is being called upon to carry a small boat named ‘Ruddy Bug’ and its happy owner’s driving position is clearly compromised as a result. The car is fitted with several non-standard items: side lights, bumpers, traficators, nautical style scuttle vents, side curtains fitted to the front mudguards, a spot- lamp and an ornament in place of a Calormeter on the radiator cap. The car was registered in Coventry. [Tim Harding’s Collection]
18 Above: This magnificent steam engine spectacle occurred in Glasgow in 1947. Ex-showmans’ road locomotives, Burrell No 4092 ‘Simplicity’, built in 1930 and Fowler No 20223 ‘Supreme’, built in 1934, are leaving the North British Locomotive Co. Ltd’s Hyde Park Works in Springburn, Glasgow, for Stobcross Crane and docks five miles away, with a 4-6-0 oil-burning locomotive for the Egyptian State Railway. These two haulage engines were owned at the time by Road Engines & Kerr of Glasgow. ‘Supreme’ and ‘Simplicity’ were originally bought by Mrs Margaret Deakin who ran the family showman’s business A Deakin & Sons Modern Amusements. ‘Supreme’ survives in excellent original form, having been saved for preservation by Jack Wharton who com- pleted a long restoration in 1971. ‘Simplicity’ was scrapped in about 1951. The North British Locomotive Company was one of Scotland’s greatest engineering enterprises, building 28,000 locomotives – 18,000 of which were for export – over a period of about 125 years until closure of its works in 1962 with the loss of 5000 jobs. [NBLW / Ken Martin’s Collection - Note: the extreme LHS of the picture has been extended using techniques in Adobe Photoshop].
Left: This photograph shows a severely over-loaded 1933 model Morris Minor Two-Seater in Rustenberg, South Africa. The picture was published in ‘The Autocar’, ‘The Motor’ and ‘Light Car’ magazines in December 1934, but no other details are known, except from a caption which claimed that the load amounted to three- quarters of a ton and the car didn’t boil. [LAT Print: The Autocar 21-12-34 Retouched in 1934]
The LAT images featured appear courtesy of LAT IMAGES. Prints can be ordered by emailing [email protected] quoting the image reference number provided and mentioning Morris Monthly. See the LAT IMAGES website for sizes and pricing at www.latimages.com. Important notice: Prints supplied may differ in appearance to those reproduced here, as images may have been cropped and subject to digital enhancement.. 19 th
MR TRIP TO MALTA Part 3, MORE CARS Bob Williams
On these pages, cars seen on the Old Motors Club run, the Mdina Concours, the Malta Classic Car Museum, Joseph Zerafa's and Ray Abela's collections
Above: 1927 Chevrolet two seat roadster
Right: Chevrolet engine - note the tie rods
Left: 1939 Ford Mercury 8 coupé
Right: 1934 Austin 10/4 Clifton two seater with dickey
Left: Ford E83W dropside
20 th
Right: 1935 Triumph Southern Cross tourer
Left: 1931 Minor 2 seater UK reg TV 4002
Above: Standard Flying 8 tourer
Left: Series E Eight Chris and Gill's ex car UK reg JLX 734
Below: Three Austin 7s in a row
Photos and information supplied by: Tom Bourne Martin Gregory Stuart King Bob Williams 21 Jemina got to Mametz! (Part 4) By Simon Moffett
Mamaetz Woods now. Thick with foliage and singing birds. Below is the view from the wood in the direction from which the Welsh attacked first on 7th June.
You can still donate to ProstateCymru at www.justgiving.com/JemimagoestoMametz Some poppies at Mametz.
The day was beautifully rounded out with a concert by the Treorci Male Voice Choir in the basilica in Albert, with great acoustics, but lots of hooting outside by French football supporters.
22 You can still donate to ProstateCymru at www.justgiving.com/JemimagoestoMametz A committee meeting to decide how to set up a group picture of the cars. This plan only managed to get three cars in.
There was some more car dancing in the car park. Finally a picture was achieved. Then everyone took pictures, even with one facing the wrong way.
You can still donate to ProstateCymru at www.justgiving.com/JemimagoestoMametz
At “Le Relais de Etretat”, Bolbec, Jemima came to a So started a long string of stop making uncomfortable noises. She was 63 miles phone calls as nothing seemed short of the ferry port. She had driven 541 miles to be happening. since leaving Haverfordwest without any problem. A taxi, set up to take us to The AA arranged a garage to come and see what catch the ferry, arrived too was wrong and the man quickly concluded “Il est late, and although the ferry mort.” I didn’t tell him Jemima is a she. was still in port, they would not let us on. We caught the next one at 11:00 pm. French security waved me through but made Stuart take his cap off. His comment was: “I don’t know why, there’s nothing there.” I told him we all knew that. To our surprise a taxi picked us up at Portsmouth and took us to a car hire place in Southampton airport where they gave us a car to get home. ...to be continued. You can still donate to ProstateCymru at www.justgiving.com/JemimagoestoMametz
23 Regional Round Up
EDITOR: Geoff Campbell, 01494 875 783, [email protected] SECRETARY: John Powell, 01895 672 706, [email protected]
EDITORIAL uring January, Jane and I paid an impromptu visit to the National Motor Museum in Beaulieu. I worked out that this Dwas the third or fourth occasion that I had been there and the first for approximately twenty years. It is an impressive place to visit and a great day out. Clearly the Museum cannot include an example of every British car ever produced and I could think of quite a few reasonably significant gaps. As I recall, the pre-war Morrises on display numbered just two: a mid thirties Eight saloon and – oh dear! – a wrecked Bullnose Cowley forming part of a diorama being attached to the crane of a break down lorry. According to the notice, the car had been hit from behind by a Lada on the return leg of a trip to Europe in the 1980s and was an insurance write off. The principal element of the diorama is Jack Tucker’s garage, a 1938 mock up of a country garage faithfully recreated with period vehicles, tools and spare parts. New to the Museum since my previous visit are the display of cars used in a variety of film sets and the ‘Top Gear’ exhibition housing many of the vehicles made famous in the programme. Geoff Campbell
Photos courtesy of National Motor Museum
BUCKINGHAM NOGGIN? ne of our Buckingham members, Nick Thorne, would like to form a Buckingham chapter Noggin & Natter of the Othe Swanbourne,Winslow area. If anyone is interested, please contact Nick on 01280 822 012. TYRES, TREADS AND TALES (PART 1) ere is a picture of my Morris ‘Y’ van during the first phase of Hthe work to return it to roadworthy condition a few years ago. It may be seen that several parts have been removed. Amongst these are the wheels; partly for the purpose of gaining access to other areas and also in readiness for painting and fitting with new tyres. This process involved not only the five wheels of my van but also some wheels that I had procured from two scrapped vans decades ago. Both of these were ex GPO vehicles, one Royal Mail van and one Telephone Engineer’s van. Not wanting these old tyres to disappear without trace, I photographed them before disposal and have only recently managed to find the pictures on the hard drive of an old personal computer long since stored away in a corner of a bedroom! These old 5.25/5.50-18 tyres tell quite an interesting story in themselves (if you like that sort of thing!). Of all the wheels in my possession from the three 24 vehicles, no two tyres were of the same manufacture and comprised several different brands and types as follows:
Above and Middle: British Bergougnan, a long forgotten manufacturer of heavy duty giant pneumatic tyres and was based close to The Angel, Islington Upper Right: Comet - I haven't been able to find any info on this brand Lower Right: Duramold, whose name still exists for heavier tyres although it is unclear whether there is any connection with the original manufacturer Left: Firestone. Originally an American brand, Firestone tyres opened their landmark Art Deco factory on the Bath Road (A4) at Brentford. The factory closed in 1979 and the Firestone brand was sold to Bridgestone Right: Homerton. Presumably these tyres were manufactured at Homerton near Hackney CHILTERNS EVENTS Sunday 12th March: Austin/Morris Day at Brooklands Saturday 25th March: Film Night - Chalfont St Giles Guide Hut (Details from Gayle Raine) Sunday 23rd April: Drive-it-Day Sunday 30th April: Spirit of Dacorum Car Tour Sunday 14th May: Oxford Noggin Spring Run (details from Steve Gant) Sat 27th–Mon 29th May (BH): Enfield Pageant of Motoring Saturday 3rd June: Letchworth G.C. Classic & Vintage Car Club Transport Picnic Sat 1st–Sun 2nd July: Chiltern Steam Rally, Prestwood Wednesday 5th July: Classics in the Walled Garden, Luton Hoo Estate. Saturday 15th July: Chorleywood Classic Car Show Sunday 16th July: Uxbridge Autoshow Wednesday 26th July: Classics on Harpenden Common Sat 29th – Sun 30th July: Dacorum Fayre & Steam Rally Thursday 10th August: RNLI Vintage & Classic Vehicle Meeting Pirton, Nr Hitchin Sunday 13th August: Ley Hill Classic Car Show Saturday 16th September: Redbourn Classics Motor Show Sat 16th–Sun 17th September: Kop Hill Climb Tuesday 26th December: Boxing Day Meet, Sarratt More event dates to follow – watch this space!
25 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]
ot much to report this month I’m afraid, but I expect 1QS. Meet around 10.00 am for a 10.30 am start on a Nthere will be much more activity to focus on in April scenic drive of twenty miles or so finishing up for lunch at now that we are approaching the last corner of winter. a pub in the Marple area. Thankfully, Chairman Martin McClarence has sent me The Anchor Noggin event is still in the planning stage with a report from our Stockport Noggin… ”There was an a number of options currently being considered, but details excellent turnout of fifteen members for our first Noggin will appear in the April edition of Red Rose. At the present of 2017. We welcomed Frank and Jill Elswood from time it seems unlikely there will be a specific event from the Chadderton who own an Isis, Paul and Davina Eddisford Chester Noggin but members may be invited to join in an from just round the corner in Marple who own a Ten/Four event being organised by a local car club. Details will also under restoration, and potential new member Brian Aldred appear in April’s Red Rose. who by now should be the new owner of an Eight Tourer. It looks like the North West Region’s visit to the Isle of Man in Numbers were boosted by Regional Secretary Neil and mid-May is now fully booked although I believe additional Christine Truslove plus Mike and Barbara Whitton from the rooms might be made available for any latecomers. Kate Chester Noggin. We almost filled the room! Thanks to all and I are not able to make this trip as we are leaving for our who attended and we look forward to seeing members at annual holiday in Greece just a few days later, but instead, one of our meetings on the third Monday of each month at and following on from our enjoyment of the Leyburn Marple Conservative club from 8 pm onwards.” 1940’s weekend last July, we have booked in for a similar Thank you for that Martin. Contributions from other event at Brougham Hall near Penrith on 6th and 7th May members certainly makes my life a bit easier. The North along with our friends from the Military Vehicle Trust of West Region AGM will have been and gone by the time which I am also a member. you are reading this and although I may be tempting Finally, I am sure the show season will give us plenty of providence, I doubt there will have been much of any scope this year, but I understand that Secretary Neil has contention to deal with. Instead, I think most members will received an invitation for North West members to take be reasonably satisfied with the way in which the North their Morris vehicles to the annual Rochdale Car Show at West Region is administered on their behalf. My only wish Hollingworth Lake Country Park on 16th July, organised by is that we could arrange for more members to join in the Rotary Club of Rochdale in aid of Prostate Cancer Care. with those events we are able to organise, although I am The invitation arises from our Morris display at EventCity mindful that we cover an enormous area from Carlisle to in September last year and I am going to ask Chairman The Potteries and arranging local events is not easy. Martin to forward details of the invitation to North West Drive-it-Day: 23rd April members in one of his occasional e-mail circulars. Another The Stockport Noggin Drive-it-Day event will start from opportunity to enjoy some Happy Morris Motoring for a Notcutts Garden Centre, Chester Road, Woodford SK7 good cause?
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 ell the Regional AGM has come and gone. There weren’t any problems, and the following is a short version of the Wproceedings. Fourteen members were at the meeting, with apologies received from a further four. The Chairman, Bob Colley, welcomed new member Harry Ayres to the meeting, and then recounted the enjoyable activities of the past year, and thanked the various Officers and Members for all their hard work. He then looked forward to 2017, suggesting some adventures new. My report echoed Bob’s, and I thanked those members who had sent in ‘stuff’ for the Welsh pages of MM. Louise Cottey, the Treasurer, presented the accounts, which were accepted by the meeting, except that one expense had yet to be claimed back from the National treasurer. Bernard Cotty, Asst. Activities Officer, recommended a more intense programme of events than last year. A year planner was to be started for this after the AGM. 26 Election of Officers & Committee: As no new nominations had been received, and as all existing Officers and Committee persons were willing to stand for re-election, all were voted in en-bloc. These are: Chair: Bob Colley Secretary: John Howells Treasurer: Louise Carter Events Officer: John Belgion Committee and Assistant Events Officer: Bernard Cotty Assistant Secretary: Judy Maloney Committee: Dave Hicks After the AGM, 18 items were put onto the regional calendar for the coming season. Obviously, with a region the size of Wales, more items are needed from ALL areas, so that all members have a chance of attending more activities. Of course, as always, members from other regions are always welcome on the fabulous Wales events /rallies.
MID-WALES LONG WEEKEND RALLY nterest has been shown in another Mid-Wales Long Weekend Rally in May. The dates would be Friday, 19th May Ito Monday, 22nd May. Further interest is sought. If you would like more information on enjoying the weekend, and the delights of Mid Wales motoring on fairly quiet roads, please ring John and Rhiannon on 01443 432 542. Leave a message with a contact number if we are not at home. We need to have numbers to book the hotel.
LETTERS/EMAILS From Bill Bennett, who, members will recall, came on our Long-Weekend Mid-Wales Rally last May: "Hi John, I hope you and Rhiannon are both well and getting your winter fettling done ready for this year’s touring. I have a 1933 MG J2 car which Liz and I use for Classic trials which we have been doing since 1993. We have developed this car over the years within the rules of the pre-war class and have managed to get quite good reliability, but occasionally we still get a failure and just recently we have had the carrier in the differential fail. We need to use the differential from a Morris 10/4 car because it is stronger albeit heavier than the standard MG diff. My reason for writing to you and telling you my woes is because I’m looking for another Morris 10/4 diff to replace my broken one and remembered our enjoyable time last year in mid-Wales with you and the Morris Owners Club and wondered if anybody in your club had a spare diff or could point me in the right direction to find one? Any help would be very much appreciated. Very best regards to both of you. Bill Bennett 01454 313 221or [email protected] " Welsh Ed: Perhaps someone has a spare diff in the garage?
Another plea for help now, from member Julian Meredith: "Hello John, I am emailing you with a request for help from my fellow Morris Register members, even though I am somewhat of a "dormant" member of the club. A family member is to be married in October this year and she has asked me if I could "do the honours" with my Morris 8. However, it is extremely unlikely that my car will be in reliable, serviceable condition by that time, added to which it is a two- door model. I was, therefore, wondering if a fellow member would be willing to come to the rescue and offer their services, plus their Morris, on that date. The wedding is to take place in Penarth and obviously the family will expect to pay for the service and would be extremely grateful if a genuine Classic Car could play an important part in their special day. I look forward to hearing from you in the near future. Julian Meredith (member) [email protected]"
Welsh Ed: Is there anyone out there who would like to help out Julian with a suitable car please? Just drop him an email, or alternatively let me know and I’ll pass a message on to him.
By the way Julian, I did a wedding in our 8 2-door saloon, and it worked out ok. The doors are nice and wide. It was quite easy for the bride to get in the back. It’s ok as long as her dress doesn’t have ‘hoops’. That makes it difficult, even in any of the larger Morrises, as the rear doors are really quite narrow.
WELSH EVENTS 5 Mar: St. David’s Day Run. Invite from the VMCC (South Wales Section) to join them in a run to Llanthony Priory. Starting at Caerphilly Mountain Snack Bar CF83 1HJ at 10.30 am. No moderns during the run please. 23 Apr: Drive-it-Day. This is the day when all Wales members can drive their Morris in a run or to a venue. Please include a short report to me on your D-i-D experience, so that others can also share in your enjoyment 1 May: Singleton Park Rally (SHVR) Publicity: Roger Gale – 01639 635 860 19-22 May: Mid-Wales Long Weekend Rally (see above). Members from all regions welcome. Contact John: 01443 432 542
More event info is needed for all parts of Wales, please, however large or small
27 "MOLLY", MY MORRIS 9 can see you questioning my heading “Morris 9?” You Iwill have heard of a Morris six, eight, ten, twelve and many others but NOT a nine” but stay with me, all will be revealed. In the past I have owned a very nice Morris eight two seater, a 10/4 with dickie seat, and a sports bodied Empire all with open bodies. I love the feeling of driving along, wind in hair enjoying the countryside and that feeling of exhilaration it brings. There is one downside however, particularly here in Wales – RAIN! Now SWMBO although very tolerant, made it known that trying to shelter under a golf umbrella was no substitute for a “tin roof ” and as both of us are well on the wrong side of seventy I was reluctantly inclined to agree. I like to keep an eye on the Pre-war car market, always looking for something different although not wanting to stray from my favourite marque, the Morris! In this vein I spotted an advertisement a year or so ago for a very interesting car that warranted further investigation. Designed in 1937 for the 1940 Car Show, this particular vehicle was an interesting mishmash of existing Morris components with a liberal sprinkling of technical advancement unheard of on the average pre-war car. True to the practice of the day, the backbone of our car is the chassis, in this case fully boxed with tubular cross members. The suspension, traditional semi-elliptical springs at the rear but on the front, fully independent with coil springs and anti-roll bar, both dampened with hydraulic shock absorbers. (The independent front suspension I understand, was intended for the Morris 10 but dropped because of cost). The steering, again strayed from the norm in that it is rack and pinion, very common today of course, but practically unheard of in the late 1930s. This super light and very positive system makes this car a joy to drive. The steering column is also adjustable for length by some three inches, a boon to anyone of ample proportions. The brakes follow the traditional Morris practice with a Lockheed hydraulic system. This operating on nine inch drums with twin leading shoes on the front and single leading shoes on the rear. The hand brake is cable operated on the rear. The engine is a modified Morris 10 over head valve unit driving through a four speed gearbox via a eight inch Borg and Beck dry clutch. This in turn drives a Hypoid rear axle to fifteen inch pressed steel wheels. The cooling system is pump assisted and incorporates a thermostat with a by-pass. As an aside, I had overheating problems with my engine and discovered that the original type thermostat that incorporated a sleeve to open up or close off the by-pass had been replaced with a “standard” waxstat type. This left the by-pass permanently open so that the coolant only circulated around the engine block and not through the radiator. I discovered that original type thermostats were as rare as hens' teeth so modified the system. I made up a blanking plate to fit between the thermostat housing and the by-pass pipe, drilling a one eighth of an inch hole through the blanking plate to allow air to bleed through the system. I also drilled a one eighth inch hole through the flange of the thermostat and fitted it with a split pin “Jiggler” to prevent air locks in the engine block. Problem solved...! The body of the car is a modified Morris 8 Series E four door sliding head saloon. The interior is leather and retains that air of luxury with the associated and unmistakable aroma of pre and early post war cars. The dash and associated interior wood trim is polished mahogany complimented with a full instrument array. A heater was an optional extra but in common with many cars of the era the cockpit is warmed by the gentle flow of hot air permeating through the many “vents” between the engine and passenger compartments. Being all steel construction the car weighs in at 20cwt. 3qr. (1054 kg) so with a relatively small one and a quarter litre 28 engine performance is not startling. It will still achieve the National speed limit - eventually, but is more comfortable around the 50 mph mark. At any speed it is a joy to drive particularly on A and B roads although it is equally at home on a duel carriageway or motorway. The independent suspension means that it sticks to the road like the proverbial and the rack and pinion steering ensures that it goes exactly where it is pointed. The electrics are 12 volt fed by a standard dynamo and controlled by a two bobbin regulator. The battery located within the engine compartment is contained in a metal box with a mica insulated lid held closed by two over centre catches. Twin Windtone horns give a very robust warning if needed and the “Cyclops” passing light that little extra illumination on dark nights. The original semaphore indicators have been fitted with flashing festoon bulbs and supplemented with modern flashing lamps via a two bulb modification in the sidelights and stand alone amber lights to the rear. The car also has the advantage of an integrated four ram hydraulic jacking system – a boon to those who, like me, find it increasingly difficult to crawl underneath. During a relatively short production run of only six years, just 8336 of these cars were produced, of these 6131 were the early production saloons, 904 were open tourers and 1301 (of which mine is one) were the later updated and final production saloons. By this point, dear reader, you will undoubtedly guessed Molly's true identity, but let me just summarise. She has a Morris 8 Series E body and a Morris 10 engine and transmission so technically she is neither a Morris 10 nor Morris 8 but something in-between, and as the only thing between 8 and ten is nine – SHE MUST BE A MORRIS 9! - unless of course, you know better...! Cyril Ridley
29 Editor: Jenny Smithson 01959 525 265, [email protected] Chairman: John Mason 01689 858 546, [email protected]
WEST SUSSEX NOGGIN n spite of the cold weather there was a good turnout of members and their Ivehicles at our West Sussex noggin. Among the cars, Doug Groves proudly displayed his latest acquisition – a 1948 Morris Series E in excellent condition. This will nicely complement his Morris Oxford, shown in last month’s issue of Morris Monthly. Another interesting exhibit was a 1937 Austin Ruby owned by Graham Skinner. When asked about the car, Graham announced that he had brought part of a Morris 8 inside the car as well. He had bought the Ruby about 30 years ago and has taken 12 years to restore it to its present condition. The Morris 8, he has owned nearly as long at 28 years, but so far has only completed the bulkhead with battery box. This must be one of the slowest restorations being undertaken in the group. Graham plans to pass the restoration on to his 8 year old grandson and to show the stages of restoration on a video. Keith and Isabel Salmon
THE MIDLANDER MORRIS REGISTER MIDLAND REGION EDITOR: June Sargeant, 01905 840 155, [email protected] SECRETARY: Barbara Farmer, 01536 711 620, [email protected]
WARKS NOGGIN espite it being Valentine’s Day (our more romantic members were missing) the Warwickshire Noggin at the Crown DInn at Claverdon formed a happy little crowd of ten and welcomed a new member, Paul Raisen. He had previously been a club member some 20 years ago and in clearing out a garage, found his Morris 8 Series E untouched for a few years. The other members were able to offer advice on re-awakening his vehicle, including freeing the hydraulic brakes and draining all liquids, some of which he had already done. Discussion around the table included bodywork repair and modification, Morris 12 clutch and gearbox work, Morris 12 window winders, discussion regarding tyre manufacturers and the use of synthetic fluids in brakes. We were delighted that Graham’s Morris 12 is progressing well and hope to see it on the road in 2017. There was discussion about the Club stand at Classic Car and Restoration Show which runs from 31st March to 1st April and the six vehicles we hope to have on the stand. We plan to work on Paul Ollis’s Minor and have a selection of other cars in various stages of restoration. At the next Noggin, 14th March 2017, arrangements will be finalised: John Ford is keen to find members to work on the stand (and help with preparation on 30th March). Drive-it-Day, Sunday 23rd April at Toddington Railway: get your pass from website (in last month’s magazine). www.gwsr. com/events Everyone agreed that we would meet for a picnic on Sunday 23rd July and a short tour to a nearby venue. John Bates was investigating Coventry Motor Museum as a venue. Next noggin 14th March – 7 pm for 7.30 at the Crown Inn, Henley Rd, Claverdon, Warwickshire, CV35 8LJ. Roz and Stephen Parkes 30 HEREFORDS AND WORCS NOGGIN e had a good turnout for our first meeting of this year. Mark O'Neill joined us from Stourbridge and talked to us Wabout two forthcoming events. The first one was the Kinver County Show which is taking place on Sunday, 18th June. This starts with a parade of classic cars through Kinver village finishing in one of the two fields used for the Fair. As this is also the 100 year celebration of the National Trust they are making their Water Works Car Park available for the assembly of the classic cars. Mark is hoping for varied periods of classic cars throughout the ages with, where possible, people dressing in period costume which adds more interest. There are many and varied activities taking place in the fields plus stalls and exhibitions. Mark left entry forms with us and if anyone would like one please contact John or June Sargeant, 01905 840 155 or [email protected]. The second event he mentioned was the Worcestershire County Border Classic Car Tour taking place on Saturday, 8th April. This tour is 150 miles in total travelling around the boundary of Worcestershire. He did say that it was possible to join for part of the route if anyone would wish to do so. Discussions took place regarding Drive-it-Day and everyone was asked to give thought to a route for this to be discussed at our next meeting. For our next meeting on 7th March it was suggested that we bring along photographs of our first car, to be put on the table to be identified, as which one belongs to whom? Just for fun - no Noddy Cars! Allan Waite will also bring along a quiz to further tax our brains. June Sargeant LEICS AND NORTHANTS NOGGIN n a cold winter’s evening, February’s noggin saw 27 people turn out, including new members, Bob Chamberlain, O1932 Morris Minor Saloon and Bob and Judy Fleming, 1935 Series I Morris 8 Tourer. We now have so many “Bobs” in our noggin, we shall have to start issuing identity badges! After the usual introductions, apologies, etc., we had to congratulate a couple of members on having “significant” birthdays in the last month and this led Bob Williams to read a humorous anecdote relating to celebrating milestone birthdays in decade stages showing the various reasons for celebrating until later years when dementia creeps in and you forget why you’re there in the first place! A discussion followed on Drive-it-Day (23rd April) and the proposal is to, once more, participate in the Stilton Cheese Run (Uppingham to Stilton – approx. 35 miles) although as an alternative we could think about organizing our own run to finish with Sunday lunch somewhere centrally to suit most noggin members. We are now taking entries for Wicksteed at War in Kettering, Saturday 10th June and Sunday 11th June, and we invite anyone with a classic car to join us. Derek Eastwood presented us with a potted history of Lord Nuffield, one of the most remarkable men of the 20th century, from his early life as a cycle repairer and dealer through to his entrepreneurial skills with cycle and car manufacturing, his charitable legacy, boardroom battles, etc and went on to remind us that his home, Nuffield Place, now belongs to the National Trust and worthy of a visit. As a group, we were keen to hear about our new members’ cars. Both Bob Chamberlain and Bob Fleming had their share of queries and had made use of the website forum but welcomed advice offered by others even though they were knowledgeable but always eager to learn of more tips and contacts through the club. Other regulars of the group were plodding along with their winter preparation of the cars in readiness for warmer months and we all offer group support wherever we can. At the end of the day, we can all listen to much advice in all aspects of life but ultimately the final decision is down to the individual. Please note our noggins are usually on the first Tuesday of the month at The Angel Hotel, Market Harborough, and will continue to do so with the exception of May when the noggin will be on TUESDAY 9th MAY – not 2nd May (the reason being that at least six regular people will be away on the 2nd May). As usual, all meals need to be pre-ordered and cancelled by 6.00 pm if you can’t make it. Pat Farmer
MIDLANDS REGION Leicestershire & Northamptonshire Area invite you to join them at WICKSTEED AT WAR Wicksteed Park, Kettering, NN15 6NJ Saturday, 10th and Sunday, 11th June
Free wristbands for car exhibitors (2 per car)
Further details from Pat Farmer [email protected] or 01536 711 620
31 nglia Re t A g s io a n E
No.469 EDITOR AND SECRETARY: Tony Nathan, 01702 589 643, [email protected]
FROM THE CHAIR have had disastrous time at home with our computer going down and you do not realise how you come to rely on it Ibeing there until it isn’t. Access to anything is all changed so as well as all our email addresses gone for the moment, until we try to rescue from old system, the nerves are a bit fraught so please bear with me! It is great that details are starting to come in for rallies for the new season and it is good to note that Colne Railway have been able to continue as at one time this looked very precarious. It would seem that we are not the only region/club having difficulty in attracting new committee members but please be aware that without support the region will fall by the wayside. Hope to catch up with some of you at our AGM in Danbury in May. Pam Lee
FROM THE EDITOR s I turn the pages of my diary looking for inspiration, nothing Morris jumps out! ALooking forward to the Nth Cambs Noggin on Wednesday 1st March ably organised by Dudley Hedge. Hopefully by the time you have read this you will have enjoyed the day. I plan to join the Chelmer Valley Car Meet for Drive-it-Day on 23rd April from Hyde Hall to the Royal Gunpowder Mills at Waltham Abbey (see www.ccvcuk.co.uk). As Pam [Lee] has mentioned, there are events trickling in, but with Jane and my current commitments I am not willing to add compiling the Events List to my “To do” list. Tony Nathan
AGM REMINDER East Anglian AGM, Sunday 14th May at Danbury Sports and Social Centre Commencing at 2:00 pm. Dawson Field, Danbury, CM3 4NQ. PLEASE Support. Diary NOW please. Cake is promised.
ROOKE’S RAMBLES eing mid-winter I do tend to wrap up my vehicles. They are garaged, but in the last couple of years I have invested Bin inside protective fabric covers which I have never used in the past. The condensation in my garage can be awful which I put down to the construction being of pre cast concrete sections with an asbestos like roof. The saloon bodywork has run with condensation during very bad damp conditions over many years and I wish I had invested in a cover earlier. The car fortunately has withstood the passage of time! Likewise I also cover the two seater which is in a brick garage. The 8 is housed in a wooden shed, keeps relatively damp free and is covered with the statutory old curtains! How I wish I had built my first garage of timber as opposed to concrete section. I still, as a matter of habit, always cover the engines and wrap the magneto if left in situ whether it be summer or winter! My more modern machines are, in my opinion, quite capable of looking after themselves in the winter months without added protection except maybe for the occasional frosty morning window cover. I was therefore quite surprised when talking to an elderly lady recently she confessed to continuing to cover the engine of her new Jaguar car during the winter months as she had to all her cars over many years. The car always stands outside the garage, as they do so often these days. She may not of course be alone in doing this but it does show how old habits die hard! I recall from past experience it was always as well to remember before the engine was started that it was covered. Newspaper, I believed to be a good insulator and used by me in the past tends to get blown to the rear of the engine if one forgot it was there! It can get decidedly hot with the engine running and that could cause problems especially under the petrol pump or the petrol tank! But also watch the blanket in the fan belt! Garages, rather like cars also evolve, and could make a rather interesting topic itself. Most large country houses had built in stables and carriage houses. Cars were becoming the 'in thing' in the early 20th century and these facilities then came into use as motor houses. These then became so called garages and a normal addition to any property. Strangely enough cart lodges are again becoming popular these days and the garage space used more for storage or conversion! It is this time of year, when I could easily hibernate. I try to find inside jobs but can easily put pen to paper if everything else fails. I am attempting to do a bit of record keeping in my dotage. Nothing special, more a record of memorabilia, writing the Ramblings and collating photographs. One of the photographs shown is of the three Morrises 32 I owned way back, taken in a local pub car park which unfortunately no longer exists. In fact the Eight was garaged in a garage at that pub for a number of years which put a slightly different slant on the suggestion I was just nipping along to the garage! The other two show our children Duncan and Nick many years ago playing, as boys do! Ivan Rooke
ESSEX NOGGIN he Essex Noggin, at The Duck, January 12th 2017, was attended by the hardy ones amongst us. However, in our Tcorner of Essex we had a significant snowfall on the day from around 4 pm. (Well, significant for us Shoeburyness weaklings!) Following the snow the sky cleared and there then followed a marked drop in temperature, making the area very slippery. Either there was less snow in Chelmsford, or the following members, Pat Colgan, Chris Healey and Laurie Cook, were tough and braved the elements, then only to find that the pub had closed and sent the staff home as they did not expect any customers to turn up! I’m told that Laurie and team headed for the comfort of Laurie’s home in Chelmsford and continued the noggin there. Tony Nathan
EAYP EDITOR AGAIN guess many of ‘us’ older members have photos of our families with the Icars, no doubt some happy and some just memories. Ivan’s mention of Nick and Duncan (now probably well in to their 40s as our daughter is) has made me look out an early photo of daughter Michaela (now 47) who was only 4 when the Morris Eight joined the family.
33 The North East Region Local News EDITOR: Ken Gosden, 01302 364 214, 07803 086 412, [email protected] SECRETARY: Roy Pidgeon, 01924 252 415, [email protected]
FROM "TEMPORARY LOCAL COMPILER" ell, hello everyone out there in the North East Region. I have firstly inform you that your normal local NE editor is Wnow living the life of luxury far around the world in the notorious hotspots of Singapore, initially, and now, I believe, as far as Australia. I think he has intentions to visit further places of ill repute on his return journey, some long weeks away. In the meantime I will try to fill this space appropriately. Roy Pidgeon FEBRUARY LUNCHEON n Thursday 9th February seven of us went to Birkenshaw, Onear Bradford, for our meal out at the Heathfield Farm. This is one of a national chain of pub/restaurants that has recently opened at this location. They serve a pretty good quality meal for a reasonable price and have a menu with decent amount of choice and a well stocked carvery. Those attending were me, Jon McCoy, Malcolm Dixon, Terry Horn, Roy Smith, Trevor Willsden, and the surprise guest of honour was Bren Jones, which was amazing as he had major surgery just ten days ago to have a break in his spine "repaired with nuts and bolts and bits of tin". But seriously, it was amazing and great to see him up and around so soon, and he didn't complain about the pain or discomfort he must still be in with still a long way to go before complete recovery. Nevertheless, he was looking good. We all had a good discussion about the plans for the coming season, which some of the information will follow, and put the world to rights a bit before wending our way home. Our next luncheon will be 12.30 on March 9th at The Hungry Horse, Roundhay Road Leeds all welcome to come and join us, contact me if you want details or directions. Roy Pidgeon THANKS FOR SHOWING US YOUR APPRECIATION had a great 2016 with my Morris Eight as well as being custodian for the club van which was taken out promoting Ithe club on a regular basis. I am especially very grateful to have received the Mary Benfield Trophy (it says on it 'for enthusiasm') from the Morris Register for initially organising and then establishing the Beamish Weekend as an annual event for the Register. As well as this, my wife Val and I received from the Morris Minor Owners Club the Charles and Irene Jones Memorial Trophy for collecting just over £288 for the charity Marie Curie Cancer Care. Apparently collecting boxes have only had as much as £60 on previous years, so it was well worth putting in that extra effort. Roy Pidgeon THE CLUB VAN s Secretary of The North East Region I took over as custodian of the club van in October 2015, collecting it from ADerby where Richard Booth of the Welsh Region had kindly brought it. At the start of the early part of the show season in 2016 we took it out to a couple of local shows and it became evident that it had some starting issues and the brakes needed a complete overhaul. The cost of this was sanctioned by the club chairman and treasurer, so the whole braking system was replaced. We also have put a brand new battery on so it now both starts and stops. This is with thanks to both Terry Horne and Trevor Willsden who spent many hours sorting it all out. So, with the van in fine fettle we've taken her to a good number of shows and events during the season all under her own steam. Three of those were the Morris Register Beamish weekend in June, the Morris Vehicles Association event at Catton Hall at The Morris Minor National Rally in July, and our own Morris Register National Rally at Thoresby in August. She's a lovely little runner and we've been proud and pleased to have her. Roy Pidgeon APRIL FOOLS' RUN, 2nd APRIL local club here in West Yorkshire organises a run of between thirty to sixty miles on the first Sunday in April, which A this year falls on the 2nd. All are welcome to come and join in. We usually stop for coffee halfway and then drive on, stopping for late lunch at some pre-arranged establishment. You then have the rest of the afternoon to travel home either alone or with others. The organisers keep both the route and the destination a secret until the day, whereupon you are given a detailed itinerary of exactly how to get there. I can really recommend this early season trip as a good fun day out, and having been on three I know that they always come up with something different. If you want to join us for this run and want to know more please contact me (details at top of page) as by next month's magazine it will have been and gone and you'll have missed it! Roy Pidgeon 34 BEAMISH WEEKEND e are currently working on our Morris Register weekend at The Beamish Living WMuseum where we will be not only exhibiting our cars but driving them on the museum's private roads with only trams and ancient buses, as well as the site's other historic vehicles, so we become part of the exhibits for the weekend and we can dress up in the period dress of the era. As Morris Monthly goes to print, with three other committee members I am due to make a site visit to get as much information to you as possible for the next edition. Please put the dates 10/11th June in your diary and come and join us for a fantastic weekend. You get chance to see for free what everyone else pays a considerable amount to enjoy and have some fun and great photo opportunities into the bargain.
NORTH EAST REGION EVENTS 9 Mar: Luncheon meeting, 12 noon at The Hungry Horse, Roundhay Road, Leeds, LS8 4AR 15 Mar: North East Region AGM at 8.30 pm at The Wheel, Wrenthorpe, Wakefield, WF2 0LY 19 Mar: Alan Marshall Humber Car Collection, Hull, contact Roy Pidgeon for details of times 2 Apr: April Fools' Run, Yorkshire, fun day out, contact Roy Pidgeon for details 9 Apr: Leyland Commercial Vehicle Museum. Contact Roy Pidgeon to join this group 23 Apr: Drive-it-Day run to Elvington Air Museum York, subject to confirmation 10/11 June: Morris Register Beamish weekend (see above) ?? July: Scarborough Fair Museum drive out visit, date to be confirmed 4-6 Aug: Morris Register National Rally and 3rd MVA Rally, Thoresby Park, Notts
PLEASE NOTE; The date for Scarborough Fair Museum will be confiremd in next month's magazine. In the meantime please look them up on the internet. Also we will be going to all our normal events, Yeadon Carnival, Newby Hall, and Otley Extravaganza to name a few and hope to also give those details next month
35 SPRING 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 ith the active classic car motoring season rapidly approaching, Wit will be a pleasure to see many of our cars out on the roads again. If you get an opportunity to come on some of the road runs we organise throughout the season across the region, then grab the chance; it is an experience not to be missed. To give you a flavour, pictured right, a gaggle of Morris 8s reflect the sunshine on a 2012 Drive-it-Day, run along the Piddle Valley in mid-Dorset. The West Region committee was due to meet in late February, and emerging from that should be a programme of events, at least for the first half of the season. Details will appear in next month’s Westwords. Winter season events, being at the mercy of the weather, have met with mixed success, but have been popular enough to consider more for next winter. Meanwhile the January event at Oakham Treasures proved very popular and I am hoping the early March visit to Bovington Tank Museum generates similar interest. The West Region Annual General Meeting is just over a month away and a 2017- 18 committee will be up for election. Can you contribute to maintaining a strong and functioning committee? Apart from the AGM, the committee only meets twice a year and the duties are not onerous; why not volunteer your services and help keep the region vibrant and active? On a personal note, my birthday was in February and as a present my daughter gave me a hand-embroidered cushion for use in my M10 S2 saloon. The message on the cushion is as follows:
Driving along a country lane, Jim hears a dodgy sound. He flicks out the indicator and puts the brake to the ground. There’s no smoke, no fuel leak, no engine problem to be seen. Until he looks back down the road, among the fields of green. The dodgy noise is getting louder, worse than when it began. Whilst Jim was tuning up the Morris he’d driven off without Anne!
What can I say, or for that matter Anne, except to wish you all a successful motoring season. Jim Riglar
NEWS FROM THE GROUPS North East Wilts: (25th Jan) The January noggin at The Roebuck, Marlborough, had a good turn-out, with twelve members enjoying a chat over lunch and a drink. The continued absence due to illness of noggin regular, Reg Wilson, was noted and the other regulars wish him a steady recovery and look forward to his return to a noggin meeting. The regulars were anticipating meeting some visiting members the following month as the noggin would be hosting one of the two February inter-noggin events. Paul & Celia James East & South Devon: (2nd Feb) Hello everybody, we had a good February Noggin with 12 people attending. Our competition for car parts fashioned in food attracted five entries; we had cars, trafficator, wiring loom, ignition switch and tools. All amazing! The April noggin will be on Thursday 6th April at 7.30 pm, at our usual venue, the Halfway Inn, Sidmouth Road, near Aylesbeare, on the junction of A3052/B3180. Paula Wood Somerset: (14th Feb) With just over 20 members attending, the February noggin was somewhat quieter than usual. Perhaps the numerous and competing attractions of Valentine’s Day candle-lit dinners for two were more tempting than those of us who did make it to the noggin had thought! The evening was spent getting feed-back from those that had ventured to the auto-jumble at the Royal Bath & West Showground at the weekend. This event now rebadged as the Great Western Classic Car Show, had attracted a few car clubs to offer car displays alongside the traditional autojumble, 36 but re-badged or not, it was as usual subject to normal February weather – rather on the cold side! With spring just around the corner, thoughts were starting to turn to events and at least three are in the early stages of development. These apart, preparations for the Hereford break in May continues, with work progressing on a detailed itinerary. Attendees were also reminded of the planned group outing to Bovington Tank Museum on the 4th March. Jim Riglar North Wilts: (15th Feb) Acting as one of the February hosts of the inter- noggin events, 15 people attended the noggin at The Prince of Wales, Royal Wootton Bassett. Apart from members of the regional committee, coming from as far afield as Lymington, Hants and Gillingham in Dorset, the noggin also attracted some new attendees from its own catchment area; Paddy Reardon from Calne, who having recently purchased a 1933 2 seater Minor has just joined the Register and long-time members Malcolm and Faye Jackson from Melksham, who having obtained the ex-Bev Marks’ M8 S2 saloon in the past year are hoping to participate in some Register activity. Paddy was brave enough to bring his 1933 Minor, along to the noggin (see picture); unfortunately it was the only Morris to feature in the car park. Paul James
FBHVC DRIVE-IT-DAY, 23 APRIL he West Region’s Somerset and New Forest noggins are organising a conjoined event. This Twill feature two road runs with their own start/finish locations in Somerset and Hampshire. Both runs will be routed to a common lunchtime meeting point on the Wiltshire/Dorset border, which will be at the Larmer Tree Gardens, Wiltshire just off of the B3081 near Tollard Royal. Further details will be provided in next month’s Westwords, but the current intention is that both runs start and finish at their respective noggin venues: from Hampshire (New Forest), the Royal Oak, North Gorley and from Somerset, the Highwayman, Canards Grave. The contacts for this event are: Somerset (Cannard’s Grave) Chris Murray, 01373 462 373 or [email protected] Hampshire (North Gorley) Toby Sears, 01590 644 269 or [email protected] Details of the Larmer Tree Gardens can be found at: http://www.larmertree.co.uk/
38th BRISTOL CLASSIC CAR SHOW, 17/18 JUNE t the Royal Bath and West Showground, Shepton Mallet, we have requested a stand for four Avehicles at the show. As ever we are keen to show vehicles from across the range we represent and in particular, to show our diversity to the visiting public, we would welcome a couple of cars that have either never been displayed or have not been displayed recently. Why not volunteer your car for display at the show? Contact Jim Riglar, 01225 754 981 or [email protected]
West Region AGM - Tuesday 11th April 2017 - 8 pm start at The Highwayman, Cannard’s Grave, Shepton Mallet, Somerset (Adjacent to A37, south of Shepton Mallet)
Nominations for all Committee positions and any Resolutions welcomed!
The Annual General Meeting will once again be held on a Somerset Noggin night. The noggin starts whenever the first attendees turn-up (about 6.30 pm) and ends between 10.15 - 11.00 pm (dependent on how much chat is going on!).
The noggin will be suspended from 8pm for the duration of the AGM (about 30-45 minutes), and resume on completion of AGM business.
If you wish to have a meal at the pub, it is suggested that you eat early to be clear of the AGM period. If you are unable to attend the AGM but wish to submit an item for discussion or nominate yourself for a committee position, please provide details to the West Region Secretary, Jeremy Matthews, e-mail: [email protected] or tel: 01458 445175
Details of the current committee and meeting agendas/minutes can be found in the members’ area of the Morris Register website at: http://morrisregister.co.uk/3-west/
37 BUNGED UP! ith a leaking rear core plug on the engine and with strange noises Wemanating from the clutch, North Dorset member, John Goodland, decided that it was time to “bite the bullet” and undertake some serious work to the engine and clutch of his M8 Series E saloon; a car he has owned for the past 12 years. Once he had removed the engine from the car, it was a relatively easy task to replace both the front and rear core plugs in the block of his engine. He then examined the clutch and having determined that the noises emanating from it was the result of a crack in the friction plate, he opted to replace the full clutch assembly. With the planned work on his engine complete and the replacement clutch fitted, John decided that he might as well make the most of ease of access to the engine before he put it back into the car. Having flushed and cleaned out all of the waterways and applying a similar technique to the radiator, John thought he might as well finish the engine work by adjusting the tappets. Having removed the cover plate, John was astounded to find the tappet recess drain holes were fitted with rubber bungs. These had obviously been in place since a previous owner had decided to work on the valves and tappets and had put temporary bungs in place to ensure collets and nuts didn’t disappear down into the sump; he or she had then forgotten to remove them after the work had been completed. With the engine now back in the car, water is flowing through the waterways at a rate of knots and oil is freely draining from the tappet recess. Quite clearly, from whatever aspect you look at it, John’s engine is no longer bunged up! OAKHAM TREASURES n 21st January, with the weather somewhat on the chilly side, none of the 26 members attending the event were Obrave enough to venture out in their Morrises. However David and Lindsay Smith did turn up in their 1960’s Hillman. Inside the venue, many were entranced by the numerous and eclectic mix of farm, motoring and retail shop items on display. Alec Jacobs was able to provide us with much of the back history of the 1934 Morris 16/6 AKP 312 which was on display in one of the halls. It was Alec who had undertaken the restoration of the car over 20 years ago and in the past it had also featured as part of the display on the Morris Register stand at the Bristol Classic Car Show. This car is not shown on the club’s vehicle register, so Alec has provided some detail to the club’s Vehicle Registrar, Mike Brears. After a few hours wandering around the numerous exhibits, some of the members took up an offer from David and Lindsay Smith, who operate the Register’s online Spares storage, packing and postage arrangements, to visit their own business premises about a mile away in Portbury village and from where they also conduct the Register’s spares operation.
WEST REGION EVENTS 11 Apr: West Region AGM: 8 pm The Highwayman, Cannard’s Grave, Shepton Mallet, Somerset, BA4 4LY “Remember - Your Region needs you!” 23 Apr: Hants/Somerset: Drive-it-Day – Somerset & Hants (New Forest) Runs to Larmer Tree Gardens Contact either Toby Sears (New Forest) or Chris Murray (Somerset) 23 Apr: Somerset: Drive-it-Day - Lions Brimar Vintage & Classic Car Run/Display – £12 per vehicle (in aid of Children’s Hospice South West). Meet 10 am at Wyevale Cadbury Garden Centre, Congresbury. Scenic Run at 12 noon, to the Salthouse Fields, Clevedon – Vehicles to stay on display until 4 pm. 1-5/8 May: Hereford 4-7 nights break at Warner’s Holme Lacy Hotel. Sponsor Anne Riglar 01225 754 981 or [email protected] 38 MR DVLA OFFICER Tom Bourne Registration Revivals
JB 8550: a 1936 Morris 8 2-seater, owners Barbara and John Beckett
ohn Beckett bought this Morris 8 as a non-runner in 1966, when Jhis wife (then girlfriend) Barbara passed her driving test at the age of seventeen. That was 51 years ago, and the intention was to fix it quickly and put it back on the road as every day transport for Barbara. As often happens, subsequent inspection showed that more work than anticipated was required, and the car was then totally stripped down to bare chassis, chassis painted, brakes rebuilt, kingpins replaced and engine reconditioned. The tax disc that was on the car when John bought it showed that car was last used on the road in July 1964. Work stopped for many years as John and Barbara got married, and bought a very dilapidated house which took many years of spare time to renovate. John explains: “Since then I have had a few serious 1 attempts to get the car back on the road, but house building, work and family have prevented completion. We have moved four times since then and I can assure you that removal companies take a very dim view of shifting a car in component form!” John went on to say “When I retired, I set myself the task of completing the rebuild by the time car was 80 years old, by which time the car would have been in our ownership 50 years”. This task included trying to get the original registration number re-issued; John had started this process with the DVLC in 1983, but as the car was then declared to be in pieces under restoration the registration could not be completed. Fortunately John has kept the letter from DVLC that recognised his interest in the number. He had also obtained a dating certificate from the British Motor Industry Heritage Trust (now the British Motor Museum) in 1983. Together with the old RF60 logbook, 2 John had all the evidence needed to get the original number re- issued. The final stages were to arrange an inspection, and then to complete forms V765 and V55/5 and send this with all the evidence to DVLA. The DVLA do occasional inspections of their own on V765 applications. These are carried out by contractors SGS at the owner’s address. John reports that the inspection consisted of checking and photographing chassis and engine number, plus general photos of the car and mileage on speedometer. A contact at the DVLA explained to John that the purpose of this was a spot check to ensure there was a car and that the car clubs were doing their job correctly. A few days later John and Barbara were delighted when the registration 3 certificate for the original number arrived in the post. “We are now looking forward to seeing the car back on the road after 50 years as a collection of bits!” they said. “However, the outstanding work is again taking longer than we estimated, and upholstery, hood, and carpets are still waiting to be done. This will run into 2017 so we will miss our target by a year!” 4 Above: The surviving tax disc from 1964 Right, from the top: 1. The Morris 8 almost complete. The old logbook shows the colour as cream and black, which was not a factory option. John has opted for blue and black 2. Excellent detailing of the engine compartment 3. “Upholstery, hood, and carpets are still waiting to be done” 4. Rear end view of the car 39 40 Letters to the Editor Morris Mail NZ ANNIVERSARY Dear Editor have heard from Hazel Askew, of the Morris Register New Zealand, Iabout their 4oth Anniversary. The first of the pictures shows Owen and Hazel (aged 92) at the celebrations. A lot of UK members will remember Hazel and Owen who came over here two or three times and took part in the Mannekin-Pis rallies. The two other photos are from the 1988 rally and show Owen talking to my late wife, Audrey, with an open top bus and two English policemen behind. On the left of this photo is Ted Smith, and Iris and John Paddock are talking to Audrey. Ray Frampton 509/5 Many thanks for this Ray. I am sure it brings back East Sussex memories for some of our longer standing members.
MORE EDITOR IGNORANCE EXPOSED Dear Editor have noticed in two recent magazines that you have labelled Morris vans as Series Y (p9, November 2016 and p7, IDecember 2016) when they were actually Morris Series 2 TWV 10 cwt, introduced in 1935, which changed into a Series Y in 1940. The history of the TWV until the Y can be found on p166 of the book "Morris Light Vans 1924-1934" by Peter Seymour. Hope you don't mind me pointing this out. Thanks for a great magazine - many other clubs I come into contact with admire your work. Ron Jarrott 5524/1 Thanks for this Ron. I suspect that my excuse about making deliberate errors to encourage more Bucks correspondence is wearing a bit thin. It's nice to be appreciated for the rest of the mag, though! MANY HAPPY RETURNS MYSTERY CARS Dear Editor Dear Editor y mother, Hazel Kelly, was 86 years old on 10th nother mystery vehicle or two! Can you identify the pedal MJanuary. Here is a photo of her as a little girl Acars in this photo of my brother and me, circa 1956? I am with her uncle and auntie, Richard and Elsie Carroll fairly certain the rear one will be a Triang. from Liverpool and Jim Phoenix from Wrexham. Can anyone help or perhaps point me in the right direction? David Kelly Thanks, David. A lovely souvenir Martin McClarence You must be joking, Martin. See above: if I 2482/9 for your mother. I am sure it 4532/7 can't manage a Morris van, then no chance Wrexham brings back lots of memories. Cheshire with these. Sure others can help, though!
41 8 HOODS AND 10/4 TIMING Dear Editor thought this article on how to fold Eight two seater Ihoods (right) might prove useful to members. I also enclose a page on 10/4 timing, something I am frequently asked about (below). Gideon Booth 991/7 Many thanks, Gideon, useful stuff! Cumbria
Members: A single private small ad, Morris Mart with/without a photo, is free. Non-members: contact the Editor
Car for Sale Car for Sale Van for Sale 1939 Wolseley 12 Series 3 1939 Morris Series E saloon Rare 1938 Morris 8 series 1 ex GPO external utility engineers van
Owned by me for 40 years, always garaged. Professionally reconditioned engine fitted less Solid condition, paintwork a little tired, interior than 1,000 miles ago, electronic ignition, new reasonable. Waxoyled regularly, stainless exhaust, wiring loom. Many spares including front wings new battery, good oil pressure, runs well. Not x3, half shafts, radiator, springs, fuel pump, track used for 2 years due to lack of time. Valuable rod ends, fan belts and many more. Paperwork reg. no. Huge quantity of spares including doors, including works manual, parts manual, sales Coachwork by Strachans Successors, she entered bonnet, wings, 2 spare engines, gearbox, rear brochure, bills, etc. £4500. service with the post office in London in March axles, dynamos, etc. Owner’s manual plus very Patrick Stacey 1939. Decommissioned in 1952. Restored in the rare original workshop manual. £4250. 0115 9335 337 (Nottingham) late 1990s and still in nice condition. £14000. Jim Paul Malin [email protected] Konstandelos 01691 650 429 (Shropshire) 07818 068 654 (S.Yorks) [email protected] Car for Sale Car for Sale 1948 Morris 8 Series E sliding head saloon Car for Sale 1937 Morris 12/4 Series 3 abandoned project Complete rusty body shell (less rear wings and 1937 Morris Eight Series 2 four door saloon Body welding done, wings in primer, body ready rear window glass). Rolling chassis with front and Fitted with reconditioned Series E engine and for primer, all brake cylinders with new stainless rear axles, springs, and road wheels. There is no matching four speed gearbox for much improved sleeves, new brake linings. Seats usable. Car engine, gearbox, prop shaft or steering box. It performance. The remainder of the car is original, complete, asking £2000 ono. New parts by will need a brave restorer, but comes with a V5 steering and brakes have all been overhauled. negotiation. Please phone for more information. and is on SORN. £450. Interior and exterior are in pretty good condition. Frank Darby Paul Raisen £7000. 01442 258 239 or 07803 635 302 (Herts) 0776 9034 411 (Warks) Brian Vincent [email protected] [email protected] 0774 308 5159 (Kent) 42 Car for Sale Car for Sale Car for Sale 1938 Morris 8 Series 2 saloon 1937 Morris 10 Series 2 Saloon 1935 Morris 8 tourer
Featured in Morris Monthly April 2015. In very good all round condition with much work done Re-commissioned last year after a long period in Red over black. New carpets and side screen. over the past few years. Genuine reason for sale. warm storage. 78,000 miles, excellent original Garaged all year and fair weather driver. £6000. condition, new tyres, good runner and large Regrettably a house move forces sale of much Michael Moxon history file. Moving to smaller house forces loved car. Looking for serious offers, £9500. 01872 274 666 (Cornwall) reluctant sale. Offers around £6750. Please call Ron Walker for more details. 01243 783 669 (W.Sussex) Chris Withington [email protected] Car for Sale 07908 115 691 (Staffs) 1929 Minor 4 seater tourer [email protected] Car for Sale OHC engine, newish body, resprayed cream, black 1933 Morris 10/6 wings, red leather, new squabs, good Dunlop Car for Sale Blue/black. Good all round condition, new sliding tyres, some spares, history. £8500 to good home. Morris Eight Series 2 two seater head, only done film work for the last 4 years Jim Sapsted after long term storage. £7000. 01273 857 455 (W.Sussex) Brian Moorcroft 01772 811 430 (Lancs) Car for Sale Parts Wanted 1930 Flatnose Cowley 4 seater tourer For Morris series Y van: pair of halfshafts (or Red/black. Good all round condition, good complete rear axle). weather equipment, interior recent refurb, on Stephen Wooder coil ignition. £11500. 0208 907 0061 (Middx) Brian Moorcroft [email protected] 01772 811 430 (Lancs) Parts for Sale Full rebuild, full rechrome, new mohair hood, Parts for Sale new ash frame, new interior red/black. Offered at around £10500. Geoff Trim 07850 324 768 (Lancs)
Car Wanted Morris 8 Pre Series or Series 1 tourer or two seater in good mechanical condition. Bernard Lawrence Members: A single private small ad, For Morris 10: 3 speed gearbox (no.114786) 31-5- 07951 308 521 (London) 35) and clutch housing (no.P11474) and gearbox Parts Wanted with/without a photo, is free. top. Money spent on bearings and engineering For Morris Eight Series 1: front pulley wheel For Morris 8: gearbox, no. on the side is Non-members: contact the Editor work on layshaft. £350 ono. Phone for more Steve Nicholls 15114, with gearbox top, £60. Phone for more information. 0115 924 5755 (Nottingham) information. MIchael Jacques MIchael Jacques 01530 222 408 (Leics) Parts for Sale 01530 222 408 (Leics) Pieces of Eight. Hoard of unwanted Series E stuff, including dynamos, starters, for restoration; cylinder head, manifold; unused head gaskets (Mowog and Payen), cannibalised radiator for Series 1 Jensen. Box of recent 12 volt electrics, DAVID MOLYNEUX Morris spare bulb sets, SU pump, sender unit, new Lucas wiper blades and arms going free; unused MORRIS PISTONS 6v led rear light set for Series 1. Heavy duty Car Spares lifting tackle, sash clamps and draw knives. Can for all models be collected in Essex or at the local noggin by arrangement. More surplus may be available. New and used Peter Sanders Morris 8 and Series E spares available 01277 218 042 (Essex) [email protected] used parts supplied Enquiries welcome Parts for Sale Job lots of M8 and E Morris 14/6 Series 2 four speed gearbox, condition not guaranteed, buyer collects, £60. parts bought Happy to assist Morris 12/4 Series 2 engine & 3 speed gearbox complete as unit, no anciliaries, requires water inlet to block, condition not guaranteed, requires M8 and E abandoned For more information, full rebuild, buyer collects, £250. Mike Brears projects/complete cars contact 01227 453 832 or 07973 384 291 (Kent) bought for breaking graham440@ [email protected] Parts Wanted 01229 584 972 or btinternet.com For Morris 12/4 Series III: set of road springs, or set of shock absorbers, full set of brake shoes, 07715 059 280 or bootlid badge. Also the whereabouts of an [email protected] 07506 309 281 exhaust sytem. Neal McClelland 07774 792 790 (Leicester)
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. What’s it Worth? (See p5): asking price is £1500 43 Please submit pictures Foto Finish of interest to the Editor COL'S CAMBOOYA COLLECTION: PART ONE uring his time in Australia our President, Malcolm Dixon, was invited to see Colin Schiller's (President M.R. DQueensland) collection of cars. The following is an extract from Col's own catalogue of his cars, reproduced with due acknowledgement to his startling achievement. The Cambooya Collection has been assembled by Colin and Jacqui Schiller over 30 years and started in 1983. Col first became interested in Morris cars after being given a Morris Major Elite by his grandfather. This was after he wrote off his first car (a HG Holden), rebuilt it and then sold it on. Being at University at the time, money was short, so the Morris became attractive. A Morris Z utility, Morris E convertible, Morris Minor, and Morris Oxford followed on, Over the years, Colin and Jacqui have lived in Brisbane, Mackay and Bundaberg before finally settling on the Darling Downs. Many cars have come and gone, too many to count. After joining the Morris Register of Queensland Inc in 1982, Col's interest in Morris and MG cars grew. As more models became apparent, the concept at collecting a range of cars in the 1930s became his focus. He acquired a 1932 Morris Cowley, a 1936 8hp roadster, a 1935 pre-series 12hp roadster, 1936 18hp 4 door tourer, a 1937 25hp Ruskin bodied Sedan, a 1937 English bodied 25hp Sedan and a 1937 Hope bodied 25hp Tourer. When he could finally afford an MG, he bought an MG SA from the Bonhams auction in Sydney. The MG bug then bit hard and a reasonable collection of MGs has evolved as well. His collection is now based on the earlier models of both Morris and MG marques, that whilst similar, are very different. The development of the Morris marque from its very early beginnings, splitting into the Morris range and the MG range and gradually evolving into a very complex company is interesting. The cars in this collection are mainly restored and registered, undergoing restoration, available for sale or awaiting restoration, He is regularly told his collecting has become an obsession! Over the next few months, as space allows, photos and details of Col's cars will be revealed in Morris Monthly.
1922 Morris GN Hillclimb Special Constructed by Morrie Monk and then purchased by Ted Hilder- 1914 Morris Oxford Smith (Victoria) and purchased by 1925 Morris Cowley Bullnose Purchased in February 2014. The car Col at the auction in Melbourne in Found after the All British Day 2005 was imported into WA in 1914 and 2013. The chassis is GN, motor and in a chook pen at Blacksoil. Rusty has remained there ever since. Many gearbox are Morris. The front axle is chassis, flatnose radiator, Chev Cowl of the spares have come from South apparently Ford 10. and no body. The all aluminium Australia. The car is running and What a ripper of a car, heaps of body is styled on a sketch by Gil awaiting bodywork. power and chain drive. Leach. This body was fabricated by John Handley’s body builders in Bundaberg. Registered in July 2015 after many years off the road.
1937 Morris 18hp 4 door Tourer 1937 Morris 25hp Series II Sedan, Several of us viewed the car during Ruskin Body the National Morris Rally held in Col bought this car in 1987. It was a 1937 Morris 12hp Roadster Caloundra. It is a four door tourer one owner car. The owners originally Series II with a body by Charles with a body built by Ruskin body ordered an American Chev, but Hope, a Brisbane body builder. builders. Two others are known to the boat was sunk by a U Boat on Col picked the car up from exist. A Series II vehicle with a side the way to Australia.The car has a Rockhampton. valve six cylinder motor. unique body built by Charles Hope, Brisbane, being possibly the only “25” with a drop down boot lid. 44