Volume 57 ORRIS Number 5 May MONTHLONTHLYY 2017

MAGAZINE OF THE MORRIS REGISTER The Club for Morris vehicles designed before 1940 www.morrisregister.co.uk Volume 57 ORRIS Number 5 May ONTHLY 2017 MAGAZINEM OF THE MORRIS REGISTER

CONTENTS CHAIRMAN John Ford writes: hat a busy start to the season! The NEC Classic and 2/3 Chairman WRestoration Show in Birmingham attracted over 3 Editor 25000 visitors. We had almost a hundred sign the visitors 4 Bulletin Board book on our stand in Hall 9, with Barbara and Pat Farmer and the team meeting and greeting many members. Club Spares Service regalia sold well, 14 new members signed up and the cars on show 5 Warm Welcome attracted lots of attention. Bren Jones' 10/4 tourer took pride of place, 6 DVLA Delvings and the late Paul Ollis’ little Minor project car, which one day soon might take to the road again, drew much attention. We also displayed the Federation Feedback club lorry which is now being moved to the North East region. It has 8/9 Forum Files always had interest from members. A great deal of effort was put in once again from members of the Midland Region and this made the show a 10-15 Exactly Eighty great success. November's Classic Car Show, again at the NEC, will be 16/17 Minor Musings something to look forward to. 18/19 Pictures from the Past Our National Committee meeting on the 8th April at Derby followed the NEC, and 22+ committee members discussed several major issues 20-24 Regional Round Up within the club, mainly lack of volunteers. We are still looking to fill 24/25 NEC Classic and Resto Show several posts in the club: webmaster, assistant treasurer, FBHVC officer, plus posts on regional committees. Some regions are finding it a real 26-39 Regional Round Up (cont) struggle to get help, so please can some of you offer a few hours of your 40/41 Member's Morris (Isis) spare time to help the club and fellow members? Remember, without volunteers there would be no club. The rewards are your satisfaction in 42/43 Book Review doing something that helps everyone and keeps the club alive. 43 What’s it Worth? By now most regions should have there own equipment, flags, banners, 44 Living with a Petrol Head tables and chairs, etc. These are useful at regional events to advertise your region and the club. Several new members have been encouraged Registration Revivals to join us in this way and is partly why the club's membership is growing. 45/46 Morris Mail Our aim should be to try and attract the younger generation, although the age of our cars appeals to the more mature driver. 46/47 Morris Mart The MVA appears to be gathering a lot more interest, and we now have 48 Foto Finish a Riley owners' club joining the association. Last year the MG Octagon

Cover picture: Bullnose LL 4100 at the Mini plant in Oxford (see EA Yellow Pages) [Photo: Tony Nathan] 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, Club signed up. Ben Gadsby, our National Rally organiser, has now Quinton, Birmingham B32 2SJ volunteered to be the Register's MVA representative and hopes to take [email protected] an active role within the MVA. This is good news for the clubs involved.  0121 682 0640 I hope you all enjoyed your Drive-it-Day event following Easter. There are now so many rallies organised it is hard to keep up! I will perhaps see you DEADLINE at one of them. 14th of the month prior to publication I hope I have left enough space for our editor's report! MAGAZINE NON-ARRIVAL: EDITOR Rob Symonds writes: Please contact the Membership Secretary s I scramble to finalise this month's edition, I suddenly Contact details above Arealised that today is Drive-it-Day. Wasting a few vital seconds, I glimpsed out of the window and saw how bright BACK ISSUES: may be purchased and sunny it was in down town Birmingham. How I envied from the Club Shop your opportunity to get out and about in your Morrises. No WEBSITE: www.morrisregister.co.uk such chance for me - just another sacrifice on the club altar! Contact: Mike Rose, Webmaster However, I was much consoled by the safe knowledge that within a [email protected] couple of weeks I will be inundated with reports and photographs of your Drive-it-Day adventures, whether undertaken as solo efforts or as part of SMALL ADS: Post/email to: a club event. Do not let me down! It is your magazine and you should The Editor (see above) feature in it! Free for members (max 1 car per month) So far there has been little response to last month's offer to feature your Non-members: please contact for charges. car's part in a family celebration on the front cover, so I will repeat it COMPLAINTS: Any complaints here. On a similar theme, following the success of our MR Christmas cards against any officer of the club, or about last year, we would like to expand the collection by featuring some with the way the club is being administered a Morris car in a winter scene, so if you have anything that might be should be referred to the Secretary suitable, preferably with snow or frost evident, then please do send them in for consideration. We look forward to seeing them. 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 Bulletin Board

WARNERS HOTEL AT NATIONAL RALLY, THORESBY PARK 2017 The following notification of the discounted prices for 3 nights 4/5/6 August 2017 has been received: Standard room: £224 per person Signature room: £254 per person Historic room: £262 per person Some single Standard rooms with no added single occupancy charge are available @ £224 per person. The price includes Warners holiday insurance cover for all rooms. A deposit of £35.00 per person is required when booking with the balance due by 31st May 2017. This can be either by cheque payable to M. R. Dixon or by bank transfer (details on application). Please contact Malcolm Dixon on 01132 670 424 or [email protected]. NEW LINCS NOGGIN? This from Lee Smith (and Brian Bloomfield): Lincoln is only 10 miles from the Nottinghamshire border, so I would like to invite local members within a reasonable distance to help me set up a monthly meeting. Any suggestions for a location, please contact me on morris10man@live. co.uk (you will know that I am a sad case from my email address). Remember, it is not compulsory to come in a classic car, you would be welcome in a modern. A friend already organises a general classic gathering at Woodcocks, Burton Waters, just outside Lincoln, so that could be a start. This is held on a Thursday evening, once a month, during the summer months, and is well worth attending. Please get in touch if you are interested. We only need 5 or 6 of us to make it worth while. We look forward to meeting you.

SPARES SECRETARY Spares Service Dave Lawton

irstly we are having our annual sale, this will run until the end of May, Fquite a few bargains; for example axle set brake linings complete with rivets are available for most models at £16.66 +vat (see pic right, top). Back in stock are 6v coils. We spent some time identifying a reliable source for these, also back in stock are complete clutch kits for the M8, these are good value £54.16 + vat. Currently, due to the weight and associated shipping costs, we are only supplying these to UK members. We are looking for economical ways to ship outside the UK, but in the meantime, if any non UK member wants one, email me we can provide a price (see pic, right middle). We have extended the range of SU spares: these now cover carburettor and fuel pump parts including rebuild kits (see pic right, bottom). New SU 6v fuel pumps listed at £70.50 + vat, there is however a 15 week lead time from the manufacturers, the club is expecting 5 pumps in towards the end of June, these can be purchased on back order through the spares online shop. At the time of writing, one pump has been reserved, and as we get more orders we will place more orders with the manufacturer (see pic, left top). You will find new ignition components stocked: most of these are purchased via the Distributor Doctor, this gives us confidence that members won’t suffer some of the problems with rotor arms and condensers that have plagued new ignition components in recent times. At the request of members we are now selling wheel bearing kits, so you will no longer have to search for the individual bearings seals and gaskets etc, simply just select the kit for your car (see pic, left bottom). We are planning to do the same thing with wheel cylinder kits to include the seals, spring and washers. Talking of wheel cylinder washers, I’m hoping that we will have new wheel cylinder crown washers available soon. These are often in a poor state and I don’t think they have been available new for some time. Look for them in the “New Products” section of the website (see pic). Our UK gasket manufacturer is making us a larger range of gaskets, the “paper” gaskets are now made from a tear resistant non shrink material, they are also making us head gaskets for the side valve Minor: these will be 1.5mm annealed solid copper, by all accounts as good if not better than the composite gasket. Being a solid gasket means no tooling set up costs, so the club can order them in smaller quantities. 4 In manufacture and possibly available by the time you read this, are the rear axle U bolts for the Series E and the later 10s, like the U bolts we stock for the 8s these are supplied with the correct BSF thread, nuts and locking half nuts (see pic right). I have been looking for a manufacturer to make us metal/rubber bonded components such as engine/gearbox mounts bump stops and suspension bushes. Unfortunately the volumes we require don’t make it viable for any UK company, so I have had some initial discussions with an Indian company who do have the patterns for the products we need. The pricing is looking very good, but we have the challenge of dealing with an organisation on the other side of the world, ensuring things like quality is maintained. If any member has experience in the manufacture of metal rubber bonded products or has experience in dealing with Indian companies, your guidance would be most welcome.

New and returning members Warm Welcome

NO. MEMBER LOCATION eMAIL CAR DETAILS Robert & Phillip 14018 Heeley W.Midlands WV14 [email protected] 1935 Eight Pre Series 4 Door saloon Sue & Mark 14019 Palmer W.Sussex RH10 [email protected] 1934 Eight Series 1 4 Door saloon Richard Harradine & 14020 Elizabeth Young Herts SG8 [email protected] 1946 Ten Series M Sliding head Chris & Neil 14021 Hennessy Merseyside L16 [email protected] 1932 Major MJ Sliding head David & 14022 Beryl Coombs Leics LE16 [email protected] 1936 Eight Series 1 2 Door saloon Washington USA 14023 David Salmon 98249 [email protected] 1936 Eight Series 1 4 Door saloon 14024 David Shaw N.Yorks DL8 [email protected] 1937 Eight Series 2 2 Door sliding head

14025 Peter Lund Cheshire CH4 [email protected] 1938 Eight Series 2 Saloon

14026 Paul Walsh Herts EN6 [email protected] 1934 10/4 Pre Series Special coupé

14027 Bob Barrass Kent CT11 1937 Eight Series 2 4 Door saloon

14028 Ted Nichols Cornwall TR4 [email protected] 1938 Eight Series 2 Saloon Peter Riches & 14029 Sandra Ellis Norfolk NR15 [email protected] 1935 Twelve Series 2 Special coupé 14030 Ed Mooney Co Fermanagh BT74 [email protected] 1948 Ten Series M Saloon Clackmannanshire 14031 Derek Fish FK10 [email protected] 1936 Eight Series 1 2 Door sliding head Paul & June 14032 Pleasants Notts S80 [email protected] 1924 Bullnose Tourer Philip & 14033 Jennifer Gamble Bucks HP14 [email protected] Clayton Mutton & 14034 John Penn Cornwall PL25 [email protected] 1936 Eight Series 1 2 Door sliding head Ken & 14035 Angie Oram Merseyside CH43 [email protected] 1938 Eight Series 2 2 Door saloon 14036 Patrick O'Kane Merseyside L35 [email protected]

14037 John Willis Conwy LL32 [email protected] Colin & 14038 Michelle Baxter Hants SO16 [email protected] 1936 Ten Series 2 4 Door saloon 1931 Major 4 Door saloon 14039 Peter Avis Suffolk IP6 [email protected] 1927 Oxford Flatnose 2 Seater with dickey Alan & 14040 Barbara Foxon Kent TN25 [email protected] 1937 Eight Series 1 4 Door saloon Jonathon & 14041 Pauline Creak Leics LE9 [email protected] 1936 Eight Series 1 4 Door sliding head 14042 Andrew Axnix W.Yorks BD5 [email protected] 1948 Eight Series E 4 Door saloon

14043 Martin Hawkins Beds MK17 [email protected] 1934 10/4 Pre Series Saloon James & jim.morris@helical-technology. 14044 Anne Morris Lancs FY8 co.uk 1931 Minor 2 Seater 14045 Klaus Wassermann Vienna Austria 1170 [email protected] 1934 Ten / Six 2 Seater with dickey Liz & Chris 14046 Reed Hants SO18 [email protected] 1937 Eight Series 1 Tourer Correction: Richard & Sheila 14000 Lewis Bucks HP22 [email protected] 1936 Eight Series 1 4 Door sliding head 5 MR DVLA OFFICER DVLA Delvings Tom Bourne

Accuracy of V5C registration documents n last month’s article we covered the importance of making sure that the entry for “Make” on the V5C registration Idocument is correct, i.e. just the word “Morris”, to enable the vehicle details to be found using the “Vehicle Enquiry System”. The FBHVC now report: “The DVLA have decided, probably for reasons unconnected with our concerns, that from the end of March the Vehicle Enquiry Service (VES) will require entry of only the registration to enable a search. This will mean that the ongoing issue of erroneous Makes in the DVLA database will become irrelevant. This is clearly an improvement and it does mean that from the DVLA point of view a real problem has been solved.” It is also important to make sure that all the other details on the V5C are correct; in fact the DVLA require that any changes or mistakes be notified to them (except for “Model” name, see last month). For those with Internet access see https://www.gov.uk/change-vehicle-details-registration-certificate for how to go about this. It is probable that most of the errors on the V5C for our Morrises will date from when the old RF60 logbooks were transcribed onto the DVLA computer in the 1970s – 1980s. A standard formula was then used to convert horsepower to cc, and the entry for cylinder capacity will very often be wrong. If a replacement engine has been fitted, the new engine number should also be notified. To get this detail changed you should enter the correct detail in Section 7 of the V5C, sign Section 8, and post it to DVLA, Swansea SA99 1BA. It is particularly important that changes to the body type, VIN, or chassis number are notified to DVLA, as complications can otherwise sometimes occur. The DVLA will often put in their own inspectors to verify such changes. The inspection will take place at the owner’s premises and at no cost. In view of the potential complications I will be happy to guide members through this process. Errors in VIN or chassis number are most commonly due to the transcription of the old logbook onto the computer system, and typically letters will have been transcribed as numbers, for example the letter “S” will be a “5”. In other cases a “tourer” has sometimes been recorded on the V5C as a “saloon”. However some errors have also been found on the original RF60 logbooks. The complications will kick in when the V5C is lost, or is not handed over to the new owner when the car is sold, and we will cover a few examples of this in the “Registration Revivals” pages. If the V5C has been lost, the current owner can apply for a replacement using form V62, and, providing their address is the same as that shown on the V5C it will be straightforward to get a replacement. The new owner can also use form V62 to get a replacement V5C, but will have to provide evidence of the chassis number and VIN plate. If there is any discrepancy between the numbers he provides and those shown on the V5C, he risks loss of the registration number. This is primarily a fraud prevention measure, so the rules are very rigid. Members are encouraged to: • Check for errors on the V5C and get them corrected • Keep a photocopy of the V5C in a safe place • Make sure that they get the V5C when buying a “new” Morris, and that the details are correct. If the seller has genuinely lost the V5C insist that he obtains a replacement V5C from DVLA before the sale is completed. • Make sure that your vehicle details are recorded in the club's Register of Vehicles.

FBHVC REP Federation Feedback Pat Farmer

here is little of relevance to us in this month’s FBHVC News, apart from the ongoing DVLA issues covered in last Tmonth’s and this month’s Morris Monthly by Tom Bourne. Vehicle Excise Duty Members may be interested to learn that, from 1 April 2017, the ability to be registered in the historic class and thus to be eligible for nil rate VED rolls forward to vehicles built up to 31 December 1976. Because of a change all those years ago in DVLA procedures, it is possible that there might be issues with vehicles built before 31 December 1976 but first registered during 1977, in respect of which in previous years there was a clear procedure whereby manufacturers’ records or approved equivalents were accepted and the date of manufacture was corrected. The FBHVC have queried the position with DVLA and they are examining the situation. If any member experiences problems with this circumstance please let FBHVC know.

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], or if you need to contact FBHVC directly, their number is 01865 400 845 or email [email protected].

6 INVITATION TO THE BEAMISH WEEKEND 10/11 JUNE

This is an open invitation to all Morris Register members from all regions to come and have a fantastic weekend at The Beamish Country Living Museum. It is only the second year of this now annual event where we can bring our cars, dress in period costumes if desired, and actually be part of the museum itself, allowing us to drive on private roads with only buses, trams, horses and carts and the site's other period vehicles. The site covers a vast area with many buildings brought from local towns and rebuilt brick by brick exactly as they were in their former high street locations. For example, the fully stocked Cooperative store from the town of Stanley and the railway station from Rowley. You can watch and later sample boiled sweets being made in a little cottage industry, and purchase more in the shop if required. There is a garage repair workshop plus many other business premises including an old fashioned good quality working tea rooms. There are a good number of houses to explore with all fixtures, fittings and furniture from a bygone era that most of us will remember. Also, a park with a bandstand in its grounds, and there is a farm, a school and a church plus a traditional fish and chip shop (with wrapping in period newspaper). I mustn't forget the colliery pit village, the chapel and so much more to see. So do come and join us and live in the past for this great weekend. I have managed to get accommodation at a quality hotel and have booked ten rooms at a discounted price with The Beamish Park Hotel down from £148 to £69 per night. This is for two persons including breakfast, which is less than half the normal price. At the time of writing I still have five rooms available at this price for the Friday and Saturday nights and can arrange the same deal for the Sunday night if anyone requires it. I can also supply information on local camping facilities should anyone require that. For entry forms or any other information regarding this event please contact me.

Roy Pidgeon. 01924 252 415 or 07932 928 966. [email protected] March on the Forum Forum Files Bob Williams

Simon’s post was: Gearbox Gasket? “Are the attached identical (apart from leather strip rather than the correct available? - 3 speed gearbox gaskets.” He included a red fibre) and are described as Pytchley sliding roof parts.” drawing of the required gasket. Dave: “I don’t believe anyone currently makes them, I had to include Simon’s post, for the title if nothing else: however if we have a dxf file of the gasket there are laser Buttock Transplants Needed – My Ass Aches! “Well, cutting companies who will make us small batches at a it’s been a few weeks since I waffled, so today I’m back with reasonable cost.” a general moan and observation about my mistress. I have Grumpyjohn: “I recently made my own from manila had the pleasure of taking Dorothy, my 37M8T for four 2 using the gearbox top to get a pattern. In fact (being a tight hour straight runs recently. The driving is a pleasure, and wad) I make just about all my paper/card gaskets!” comments in the recent past from Chris or Jeff (I think), Brian: “I make my paper gaskets from brown wrapping that, “you have to bolt the b*©ger down properly”, were paper and proper gaskets from sheets of gasket material absolutely correct with regards to clutch judder; no longer available in a range of thicknesses from places like a problem; (new engine and gearbox mounts). What Halfords.” I need to moan about is how bloody uncomfortable my John: “For the benefit of peeps without this issue: it seat is. After 2 hours, maybe some stress looking at ‘worry shouldn’t be necessary but connecting an SE block to a S1 gauges’ as Richard would say; (checking oil pressure on box it suddenly was – paper worked fine – all about getting my new rebuild); but at the end of each drive I could the right alignment for the spindle… gearbox into engine.” barely walk straight when getting home. I looked like John Bob: “There are several Wayne in oversized chaps sources for gasket material with piles. My seat is 80 on eBay. However I have years old, original, a little found that thin card lop-sided, and probably e.g. from stationery buff has some broken springs, folders, etc., to work well. and has to be sorted some My method for a cast steel time. But upholstery is item such as a gearbox a long long way away. case is to lay the card over I’ll need a solution till and hold it in place whilst then, any suggestions? tapping around the whole Nitrous oxide gas? perimeter with a ball pein Thiamylal or Ketamine? hammer. You end up with Buttock transplants? P.S. a ‘perforated’ item and I have learnt that it is simply push out the gasket possible to lock up all 4 shape. Very satisfying.” wheels with drums all Ronnie: “I use a similar Dave’s homemade 8 Series E gearbox gaskets round, something I method Bob but a few had thought all but weeks ago I bought a set of hole punches from Lidl for less impossible. I ended up sideways half way through a set of that £5. These make a much neater job of the holes. I do red lights! Must have been the extra leg exercises I’ve been agree, very satisfying when everything lines up!” doing recently. I did adjust all the brakes afterwards to try Dave again: “I have made a few from scratch again using and achieve a straight line skid next time.” a similar approach to Bob, but I place a ball bearing over Pete commented on the braking: “Braking in an 80 year the stud holes and tap with a hammer, this allows the hole old unmodified car is a mind game... braking is OK but to be pressed out, then I add a stud and do the same with if your passenger suddenly states your £20 note has just a diagonally opposite hole, once 2 studs are in place all the blown out the window the brakes are fantastic.” other holes can be punched through, then tapping round Quentin also on braking: “I had similar uneven braking in the perimeter provides guide lines.” He had attached my MGTC, which has similar braking system. After much photo of gaskets for a 4 speed SE box. fiddling, adjusting and replacing of shoes and cylinders, it was corrected only when I changed the flexible hoses. Nidge posted Morris 8 S2 sliding head: “I am looking They looked fine on the outside, but one front had started for a couple of pictures of people's sliding heads from the to break down internally. If you work on the brakes, I would inside showing where the screw/locking fixture is located change the hoses as they aren’t that expensive, and it may and how it is fitted. Also am I missing anything on the one save you days of fiddling around.” I have just acquired?” He attached a photo with his post. Charlie on seats: “You should get a pair of cycling shorts Chris advised: “Yes, it appears the clamp washer is missing” with gel implants in the buttocks.” Bob: “I have attached a photo of the sliding head clamp, Grumyjohn also on seats: “Had a good chuckle at these showing the position on the car and the complete clamp posts! But on a serious note regarding the seat squabs. The assembly” M8 my pal and I are attempting to get back on the road Peter: “This might be what you’re looking for.” He attached had the same problem with the driver’s seat that you are a link to Woolies Trim and a dimensioned drawing of the getting with yours. We removed the squab cover (held clamp. with a draw string underneath) and found three broken Bob again: “A company called Small Ford sell these new springs at the rear of the seat. One we repaired the broken for about £37, aimed at the Ford 8 and 10 I think, but look ends with an electrical connecting block over each end, 8 and the other two by wiring something I am definitely them on to good springs. planning on purchasing The mesh that covers them after, as I’ll be allowed to we replaced with plastic start putting money into the coated chicken wire over Morris and my old Kawasaki. the top of the original mesh The plan is to fix anything and wired it round the edge that can be fixed and figure to the frame and then to the out what needs replacing springs. The padding was when money is a thing I can then replaced with foam spend again!” rubber about 1½ inches Chris replied: “Been there. thick. Then we compressed Done that. Don’t hold your the two frames together a bit breath. It took me 40 years at a time in a Workmate and to get a permit to play with tied them to each other with the toys again. Good luck.” stout cord. The cover was Bob’s sliding head clamp then replaced with a new If you want to read more on drawstring and the front cord between the frames severed. seat solutions to alleviate the need for Simon to have a Not pretty but my pal reckons it is a great improvement on Buttock Transplant or want the link to the Sliding Head his posterior!” Clamp, just log on. More posts followed with Richard referring to the car Bob Williams “breaking in” the driver, Pete recommending sheepskin ([email protected]) and Andy, foam. I usually like to include photos to highlight posts but I think EDITOR’S NOTE: we had better pass on Simon’s Buttocks. Any member intending to act upon advice given in the Forum or to use any products or services mentioned, Matt posted Wiring Help: “Can anyone help me here? is strongly recommended to read the Morris Register (Silly question, probably.)” He then went on to explain his disclaimer at the top of page 3 of Morris Monthly. problem with the aid of a couple of photos. What I liked were the final two posts, the first a reply from Matt who thanked everyone for their assistance and concluded “Money's a bit tight at the moment with every last penny going into our wedding in six months but the manual is

9 Items of interest Exactly Eighty from The Morris Owner magazine, May 1937 What the King has done for Motoring

How our Sovereign has aided the industry by ... ROY HOPKINS

The royal family en route for Sandringham to spend Christmas, 1936

OTORISTS and the motoring industry have a the present King's delight and absorption in motors, Mstaunch and understanding friend in the person and in 1920 he owned two cars, both of which he of King George VI. No member of the Royal Family drove himself. has had such a long and practical acquaintance with In those days American and other foreign cars motorcycles and cars. His interest began when he dominated the British market, a fact which perplexed was a mere boy. He has competed at Brooklands, he the King as it did many others. Shortly afterwards has bought and driven cars ever since he was twenty, the then Duke of York began that intensive study of and he has quite forgotten how many national and British industry and trade, a subject in which he is local motor shows he has visited. He is familiar with the mechanism of nearly every make of British car and many American and European ones. Interest in the Industry All his life he has been mechanically minded and motorcars to him are what horses are to Lord Lonsdale! To one so deeply interested in British industry as he is, the amazing progress and prosperity of the home motor trade this last decade or so has given the King unbounded pride and satisfaction. He is too modest to claim even a tiny share of credit for this happy state of affairs, but if the truth must be told he has played his part behind the scenes in bringing it about. At the University and afterwards as a naval cadet, the King's enthusiasm for motorcycles and cars had a great influence in making large numbers of wealthy young men follow suit. His career in the Navy and afterwards in The Queen — then Duchess of York — at Brooklands, the Air Force did nothing to decrease chatting with Mrs. Wisdom 10 now an acknowledged expert. Highway Code is a code of good manners. Let us all Quietly but systematically the King at all public and loyally observe it and make the spirit of goodwill the commercial functions which he attended stressed keynote of our behaviour on the roads." the quality of British cars and the patriotism and Safety First Activity wisdom of purchasing them. Not only did he buy This perfectly expresses the attitude to this day of British cars himself, he insisted that all the members the King to this vitally important subject of road of his suite should do the same, and his personal safety. When Duke of York he spoke frequently and friends received pretty plain hints to do likewise. took part in many conferences on the problems, and When some of them declared that home-made cars even in these busier days now the question is one cost more than foreign (this was before the import which is never far from his mind. When motoring he duties), the King invariably replied: "That may be so, is an observant critic of traffic, road surfaces, signals but you must remember that British cars mean work and cross-roads and in nearly every town he never for our idle men." hesitates to comment to civic heads on what he Knowledge of the Trade considers dangerous or ill planned roads. At every motor show or exhibition that he attended Last year in a Scottish city his only criticism of a the King always made an exhaustive, and sometimes big housing scheme which he inspected was that also exhausting, tour of the stands. His widely the narrow twisting roads laid out "were bad for car advertised presence at a show helped enormously drivers." When the Provost hinted that it was unlikely to attract the crowds and made business boom. The that the residents would ever be car owners, the King King has never been shy in asking questions when rejoined: "Who knows? Labourers in America and his interest is aroused, and there are many motor Australia have motorcars. We have to plan for the salesmen who can testify to His Majesty's informed future!" knowledge of the trade. The King never forgets the garage problems either. More than once he has shown his disapproval of He rather surprised a certain motorcar manufacturer dignitaries, national and civic, who use foreign once by saying that if there were more up-to-date cars, and during his overseas tours, especially in cheap and central garages in cities, car sales might Australia, he openly showed his displeasure when well double in Britain, as thousands of families might British officials there drove about in American cars. then buy a second car. Most middle class houses, In this respect the King once scored neatly at the even new ones, have only garage space for one car. expense of a certain rather pompous official who at This shows the King's deep and practical knowledge a party overseas told his royal guest that at times he of the motorcar business. His mind is essentially felt very homesick. practical yet always receptive to new ideas and further "Perhaps if you sat in an English-made motorcar the progress. The motor industry in Britain is very close feeling would not be so acute" was the King's effective to his heart. He has seen it develop as it were from rejoinder. The official changed his car and has had a rather weakly infant to a sturdy and ever-growing no reason to regret it. giant. In that development he has played a big and When abroad some years ago, the King recognised unobtrusive part, and it is only fair that the fact that British motor manufacturers were perhaps should be known and recognised by the loyal subjects not so alive to the special requirements of overseas of his realm. markets as they might have been. He did not fail on his return home to point this out privately to a number of motor "chiefs", and much good resulted. During the last ten years of George V's reign the Earl of Granard, Master of Horse, invariably consulted the then Duke of York before purchasing new cars for official or household use, and as a "reward" the Duke had the privilege of driving every new vehicle on its unofficial maiden trip. When the "Safety First" drive was first launched in March, 1934, His Majesty not only agreed to the issue of public posters bearing his name, but helped personally to draft the famous message on them: "Every day 600 citizens are killed or injured on our roads, mostly because of somebody's thoughtlessness. This message to you is the commencement of the National Road Safety campaign to reduce these dreadful casualties. To avoid accidents, be courteous and alert. The On tour in New Zealand. The Duke and Duchess of York in Auckland 11 LOST COMPRESSION Where it goes, how to find it and recover it By MARCUS W. BOURDON

N years gone by, in those far-off days when engine- Istarting was a process that had to be done by means of the starting handle and was a positive nightmare to some motorists, the car owner had good reason to note whether or no his engine was holding its compression. He had evidence on this point when he turned his engine to start it, with hope if not expectation of a quick response to his efforts; he realised fully that if one or more cylinders had lost compression there was but faint cause for hope and none for expectation that the engine would start without a great deal of exertion, if, indeed, it could be induced to run under its own power without the compression being regained. The separate compressions can be felt and compared But nowadays, what with electric starters, carburetters by careful pulling over with the starting handle that give a rich mixture for starting without needing a petrol-soaked rag to be pushed into their air intake, ill-effect upon performance that has not been noticed. It and ignition apparatus that gives a hot spark at not is recommended because the inexpert and the not very much above zero r.p.m., the owner-driver has no experienced driver may have failed to observe from the unmistakable evidence of lost compression; he does behaviour of the engine that, for some reason or other not "feel" the loss when he pulls or pushes the starter — there are several — one or more of the engine valves button, and the speed at which the starter turns the was leaking badly. When such a thing occurs without engine round goes far towards compelling the engine to the knowledge of the driver and the car continues in start and run under its own power, compression or no use, the leakage of compression may be followed sooner compression. or later by the valve, or valves, being ruined, burnt out; The consequence is that the modern motorist may the latter implies that the direct heat of combustion has continue to drive his car for weeks or months on end got under the valve head and burnt it and its seating without realising that it is incomplete, as it were, in the cylinder block, necessitating usually a new valve that there is something lacking, in the form of lost and special treatment for the seating. The writer has compression; and yet the latter is an important factor painful experience in mind in writing thus. of power output, acceleration, speed on the level and Admittedly a burnt-out valve is a rarity in these days uphill, economy and smoothness of running. Moreover, compared with the prevalence of such a happening ten, although the owner-driver may not be aware of the fifteen or more years ago. Modern valve steels are able fact, loss of compression, partial as well as complete, to withstand far higher temperatures without being does have effect upon cold-starting; as a rule it merely burnt, and valve leakage as a cause of compression loss makes the work of the engine starter more difficult, but is also far less frequent. there is no doubt that in some of the cases of difficulty Testing the Compression in starting from cold — Summer or Winter, or both Willing though he may be, if not keen, to test the — lost compression from one or more cylinders is the compression of his engine as a precautionary measure, underlying cause. the inexpert owner-driver may not know how to proceed The Use of the Starting Handle nor how to judge whether the No further explanation or argument compression of each cylinder is is needed, surely, to indicate why up to standard or below it. The the writer advocates the occasional following explanations will put him use of the starting handle; not to wise. start the engine, let it be said at With the gear lever in neutral, once in order to stop the gasps the throttle lever held in its open of astonishment and expressions position (by means of the control of scorn that have possibly been on the dash or steering column) brought about by the mere and the ignition " off," the engine suggestion that the starting handle crankshaft must be rotated half should be brought to light and used, a turn at a time by means of the but to test the compression of each starting handle. The latter should of the cylinders now and again, be turned back and re-engaged say once a month, by rotating the with the "claw" on the crankshaft engine slowly and noting the degree after each compression has been of resistance to rotation when and overcome, so that in succession where the compression of each they can be approached and cylinder should be felt. tackled under the same conditions, This plan is advisable for a reason viz. either by pulling the handle that goes beyond its enabling the When locating a hiss, stop up the up or by pushing it down. If one owner-driver to judge whether air silencer or cleaner (if fitted) or compression be overcome by pulling compression has deteriorated, with carburetter intake with a clean rag the handle up and the next by 12 pushing down, there may be a difference confirmation of this diagnosis; he is required in leverage — due maybe to the position so that, while one person turns the engine in which the operator is standing — to overcome the weak compression that will make one of them easier to slowly, the other listens with an ear overcome than the other. against the tail-end of the exhaust Preferably the test should be pipe. If an exhaust valve is really made after the engine has been leaking, the hiss will generally be started from cold and run at "telephoned" through the whole a fairly fast idling speed for, of the exhaust system. say, five minutes. It will then Here let it be said that each of the be warm enough to remove the three "listening tests" mentioned need for mental allowance to be should be repeated two or three made for the gumminess of the times to make sure that the result of oil in a cold engine and will provide a the first of each series — hiss or no hiss standard condition that can be — is reproduced again and again easily reproduced on subsequent Faulty valves, although possibly continuing each time the weak compression occasions. to function, are a fruitful cause of indifferent is overcome. Locating a Hiss compression. (In this instance, valves other Another possible though The attempt should be made, than genuine Morris spares have been used) somewhat improbable cause first, to determine whether of compression loss is a faulty resistance to rotation of the crankshaft at successive cylinder head gasket; it is deemed improbable in the compression points is the same, or different, as regards circumstances under discussion because if the gasket all four or six 'cylinders. There should be no appreciable has been leaking the fact would doubtless have been difference, even in the case of a well-worn engine, if all made known without making a test of the compression. is well. With the engine pulling, a noise like an exhaust joint Assuming, however, it is obviously easier to overcome leak would have been heard if the gasket were failing to the compression of one cylinder than that of the prevent the leakage of explosion pressure into the open others—for there may be two or more that are below the air, or overheating of the water cooling system would standard of the best — the point that naturally arises have been noticed if the leak were between a cylinder is, what's to be done about it? The easiest thing is to bore and the water jacket. A test to determine the latter take the car round to the nearest Morris service station; fault may be made by turning the engine round while but many keen owners may like to attend to matters listening for "gurgles" over the radiator filler with its cap themselves. removed. Our keen car owner must first attempt to locate the If the tests have determined that an inlet valve or an source of compression loss; his plan should be to exhaust valve is the source of the compression loss, turn the engine until the compression immediately in there are two possible causes; the first is the need for front of the bad one has been overcome. Then with the grinding-in the defective valve, and the second, inability starting handle set for either push down or pull up, of the valve to seat properly by reason of faulty tappet it should be used to overcome the weak compression adjustment. How to grind-in valves and how to adjust slowly, the operator listening intently for any "hissing" valve tappets are matters that are beyond the scope of sound, while leaning over the radiator and engine as this article. But how to locate the actual cylinder with a far as possible. If a hiss is heard, a piece of rag should leaking valve may be explained. be stuffed into the air intake of the carburetter, which Let the sparking plug of No. 1 cylinder be removed and may be on or near the carburetter itself or an opening the engine rotated while note is taken as to whether the or openings in the air silencer. The slow test of the weak weak compression is among the other three that must compression should be made a second time, again with be overcome. If not, then No. 1 cylinder is the culprit. the ear alert to detect a hiss. If it is not heard this time, In the other event, replace No. 1 plug and remove each there is a clue to the source of the compression loss; of the others in succession until the weak compression the latter is doubtless due to a leaking inlet valve. If is not among the remaining three or five; the defective the hiss is heard again, a third slow test of the weak cylinder will then be the one with the sparking plug compression must be made, this time with another rag detached. stuffed into the crank chamber breather pipe, which Judging the Standard on some engines also serves as the oil filling spout. If There remains to be said only what little can be said a rag in that position silences the hiss, the leak will as to judging whether even the cylinder with the best almost certainly be due to either defective piston rings compression is up to standard, or as good as can be in one cylinder or to cylinder, piston and piston ring expected in view of the age and mileage of the car. To wear. New rings may effect a cure, though there is more determine this point with precision a compression gauge than a possibility that the cylinder has worn oval and is needed, an instrument that not even garage mechanics needs to be reconditioned; but in that event it is highly always, if often, have available nowadays, or make use probable that the compression of all cylinders will have of if they have one available. The private motorist can "disappeared", more or less, and that all of them need do no more than note whether, when overcoming the reconditioning. best compression, there is any suggestion of a hiss Down the Exhaust Pipe and, if not, whether a brief and light pressure upon Let it be assumed, however, that nothing so serious is the starting handle, tending partly to overcome that the cause of the compression of the one cylinder being compression, followed by release of pressure, gives below par. That being so, the hiss will have been heard the impression of "cushioning" or rebound, or merely again, with both the carburetter air intake and the progressive movement in one direction. There should be breather pipe stuffed with rag, and it is probably due to evident rebound of the starting handle when pressure an exhaust valve leaking. upon it is released. The assistance of a second person is needed to secure 13 Speed Limits Refused FFICIAL information from the Ministry of Transport Ohas been received by the Royal Automobile Club to the effect that the Minister has decided not to confirm an order made by the Kent County Council for the purpose of imposing a speed limit of 30 mph on a part of Chart Road, Brasted, Kent. This decision follows representations made by the RAC and the AA, on the AN INTERESTING BRIDGE — under construction is ground that the road in question was not dangerous the new one by which Brooklands' new road racing at speeds of over 30 m.p.h. circuit crosses, near the fork turn, the River Wey Objections were also made by the RAC and the AA to a 10 mph limit which the Worcestershire County Council proposed to impose on Bewdley Bridge, Morris Works Extensions Worcestershire, and the RAC has now been officially HEN extensions now proceeding at Coventry informed that the Minister of Transport has decided Ware completed, the floor space occupied by not to confirm this order. Morris engine production will total nearly 7,000,000 square feet. This extensive increase of factory area has been necessitated by the rapidly increasing demands upon the factory's output by the Morris associated companies. One of the most gratifying features of the increased output is the employment found for extra workers. Since 1935 employment at the Engines Branch has risen by forty per cent. The main Morris engine factory occupies a site in the centre of Coventry which is mainly composed of multi-storey buildings. Some years ago Morris Motors Ltd. purchased a site of 45 acres situated on the outskirts of the city, and this is now being rapidly developed to meet expansion. Testing facilities are being still further increased. It has always been the policy of the Engines Branch to subject every engine to several hours of testing before being passed out of the factory, and a huge testing plant is being laid out on spacious lines to BY BIRMINGHAM'S BIG DRINK — A Morris Minor two- accommodate a minimum of 100 engines at a time. seater alongside the Birmingham Corporation's Elan Valley reservoir, near Rhayader, Central Wales

VISITORS FROM THE VELD— During the course of a two months' tour of Europe a number of South African students paid a visit to the Morris Works. This picture shows the party assembled outside the Dispatch Department 14 RUNNING HINTS IN PICTURES was not featured in the May 1937 edition of The Morris Owner, so some of contemporary advertisements are reproduced instead

The complete edition of The Morris Owner for May 1937 is available as a pdf on the website Other items of interest include: • The King and his Cars • A Topical Tour - Places to visit at Coronation time 15 Minor Musings Chris Lambert A Minor Story have heard of writer’s block – when a Iblank page just stares back at you and your fingers simply refuse to play that familiar staccato on the keyboard, but had never suffered from that experience. However, this month’s Musings was the exception that proved the rule. The article topic for May was to have concerned the Minor five hundred-weight van. A very worthy subject for such a piece for so many reasons, not least of which is that little has been written about it down the years, apart from a note-worthy and weighty mention in a Morris Light Van history by Peter Seymour. Despite the preparation, I left insufficient time before the copy deadline for completion of the research, so that article will now follow on further down the line. This lack of a topic set me thinking Colin Lambert alongside JE 266 - 1933 season Isle of Ely registered (properly musing!) about how I had Minor two-seater arrived at this situation of article writing for Morris Monthly. It’s a convoluted story but please bear with me and I’m sure there are plenty of others for whom this tale will resonate. When I decided to take early retirement at the turn of the millennium my on-going passion was for a Japanese four- cylinder motor cycle, the Honda VFR. It was an amazingly versatile machine that had taken me all over the UK and across parts of Europe. However, there were times when it reminded me that I consisted of mere bones, flesh and blood while my immediate environment was not at all hospitable to such a mass should there be a mishap! Which is how I became embroiled with the pre-war Morris Minor. Scroll back almost forty-five years to 1957 or 58 when as a pre-teen youngster I lived in a quiet part of South Bucks. My older brother by ten years was in the RAF and had acquired a light-blue 1933 Morris Minor two seater to ferry himself back and forth to Compton Bassett and to the other places to which he was dispatched at the whim of the MOD during his National Service. It was in this car that he taught me how to drive, initially up and down our short driveway and then around the block of the thirties' housing estate where we lived. It was also around this time that my father bought our first family car, a 1937 Morris Eight Saloon - FPG 117. We were to spend many happy hours journeying to Devon and Cornwall for family holidays and on day trips to the south coast in the Eight but it just didn’t leave the same impression on my soul as did that of the Minor. It’s fair to say that between those early driving lessons and the year 2002 I had spent very little time thinking about the pre-war Morris Minor. Life intervened, which looking back consisted of marriage, children and mortgages but OU 6930 on the hill at VMR Prescott July 2005 [Photo Phil Jones} 16 VJ 3156 1930 Minor Semi-Sports not necessarily in that order. A long telephone conversation with my brother in June of 2002 reminded me of that first brush with the Minor and the outcome was the acquisition of a 1930 OHC Saloon to replace one my bikes. The winter of 2002/03 was spent re-commissioning the car which involved getting very dirty (and cold) for up to fifteen hours a day in a draughty garage. Over the next five years, thousands of miles were covered in OU 6930 but the passion for the model was kindled over that first winter when I saw at very close-quarters what a well- designed and sturdy car the Minor was. By 2006 I was ready to part company with the last of my motor bikes and the resultant cash enabled me to eventually purchase a largely restored 1930 Minor Semi-Sports (VJ 3156) as a stable mate to my saloon. The car had a fascinating history and I became only its fourth owner from new. It had spent all its life up to that point on the Gloucestershire/ Herefordshire borders and had been first registered in Herefordshire in October 1930. During the late Forties, it had been used on a regular commute from Cheltenham to London and had been fitted with two large vacuum tanks presumably to ensure the solitary windscreen wiper continued to operate under even the most severe conditions. The car had been impeccably part-restored by its previous owner and it was something of a challenge to complete its restoration to a similar standard. Eighteen months elapsed before the fitting of a new hood in 2008 completed the task. In the intervening years, the car has been a delight to own. Of all the "possessions" that have passed through my hands during the course of my life, I can’t think of one that has provided as much pleasure over a prolonged period. It really is a joy to drive and has rarely let me down. Designed by Gordon England it just looks right from almost any angle. It’s not a "standard" car and has been fitted with hydraulic brakes in place of the original cables and there are other things which will cause the purist to frown but for sheer driving pleasure I would suggest it’s hard to beat. There have been other old cars in my life during this period including a 1933 March bodied Hillman Aero Minx and another Minor Semi-Sports long associated with this club that also came to me in a part completed state and which, after finishing and 18 months of ownership, is now in the hands of a young enthusiast in South Wales. My latest acquisition is a 1930 MG Midget that is surely the Morris Minor equivalent to the Austin Seven Ulster. The Kimber designed Midget is also great fun to drive but oh-so different to the Semi-Sports. They are very good examples of different horses for different courses. By the middle of the last decade I had started to write an occasional article for the Vintage Minor Register and discovered that my interest in the car’s origins and history was an-important-factor of my ownership and involvement with the model. I also discovered that plenty had been written over the years about the pre-war Minor, some by eminent names in the old car movement which not only contained errors of fact but were strong on negative opinion about the car. The Vintage Sports Car Club’s stance about the suitability/eligibility of the S.V. Minor version for participation in their competitions is another bête noir that surely over time will be viewed as the folly it is. That the VSCC’s grandees perpetuate this anomaly is even more surprising considering the support for the model’s inclusion by prominent members of the Austin Seven community. I have been contributing articles for this magazine since July 2011 and the pre-amble above would have been better placed had it appeared then. My scribblings for Morris Monthly, in the meantime, I hope have provided a voice for owners of pre- war Minors (although I suspect that I am at odds with some on occasion) in a club that has been welcoming, supportive and has embraced the community we created on the internet, the Pre-war Minor Network. So, thank you readers for getting to the end of a piece that would have been better written six years ago! I furthermore promise that normal service will resume next month.

The Morris Ulster - 1930 MG Midget GH 6758 17 18 Top left: A Morris Eight saloon on the ferry crossing between Glenelg to Kylerhea on Skye across the Kyle Rhea Straits in 1935. This vehicle ferry still operates in the summer and is the last turntable-operated ferry in Scotland. [LAT Print - The Autocar 20-09-1935].

Bottom left: The Kyle Durness Ferry near the most north-westerly point in the British mainland – Cape Wrath. Driving an Austin Seven to here would be a challenge and the ferry crossing would certainly add to the adventure. However, the driver seems to be calm after the seemingly precarious boarding procedure. This ferry still exists for pedestrians only. [LAT Print - The Autocar 25-05-1928].

Top: A Morris Major Six Salonette of c1931/32 in Galgate, Barnard Castle in County Durham. [Tim Harding’s Collection].

Bottom: These two young women are sitting on a c1931 Morris Oxford Six saloon, but are they British? The location is a mystery – note the foreign registration number. [Ken Martin’s Collection].

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 Regional Round Up

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

EDITORIAL t last there appears to be a Afeeling of spring in the air and we can look forward to another season of Morris motoring. Our Sherbucks noggin has recently featured a table top auction and an excellent presentation by George Cook on his motorcycling adventure, back in 1975, to India. We also held our annual film 1 2 night in Chalfont St Giles which was enjoyed by all who attended. February’s table top auction 3 4 brought out a host of spare parts, tools and motoring literature which promoted lots of discussion and banter and even some trading! I recently re-visited Brooklands Museum which is famous mainly for motor racing and aircraft production but it now incorporates the London Bus Museum, re- 5 located some years ago from its former home in Cobham. On Sunday 9th April, the Museum hosted the annual Bus Gathering. The event was well attended with buses and coaches from many areas on show. Blessed with dry and sunny weather, the Gathering was an enjoyable event. With 6 so many exhibitions, aircraft and attractions it’s difficult to see everything on show in one visit and is a great venue for the transport enthusiast.

1 & 2: Table tip auction 3: AEC Regent Country Area Green RT 4: Premier of Watford Bedford SB Duple Vega 5: Bedford Scammell tractor unit for towing London Transport staff canteen trailers 6: AEC Regal BEA coach

Please note that the Chiltern Hills Vintage Vehicle Rally will be held at Weedon Park, Weedon Hill, Aylesbury, HP22 4NN on Sunday 21st May. Entry Forms are available on the Web site with an entry charge of £6 for local charities. Nick Thorne (01280 822 012) is arranging for a club stand at the event. Please contact Nick if you would like to join the club stand. http://www.chilternhillsrally.org.uk

20 APRIL WRINKLIES LUNCH herbucks noggin’s regular SWrinklies’ Lunch for April was held at The Black Cat public house, Lye Green, near Chesham. A good time was had by all present: Ray and John Bickerton, James and Lyndsay Wyper, Den Jarrott and grandson Jake, organiser John Martin, Rob Russell, Frank and Lou Darby, and it was good to see John and Cathy Farrell, not forgetting Ingrid and Roger. We had two Morrises: Rob’s flatnose plus James and Lyndsay's Eight saloon. It was a glorious day, the food again was very good with good size portions. Ingrid Knott TYRES, TREADS AND TALES (PART 3) hadn’t originally planned a third part to this, having described all of the van tyres that I have or once had. However, Ithanks are due to Steve Gant for the following photographs of a couple of tyres in his possession. Steve has a Series E car and has a pair of spare wheels that he uses for supporting the car while its wheels are removed during maintenance, etc. One of these has a Homerton tyre as did my Y van when I first acquired it. The other wheel has apparently come from an ex GPO Z van as it has an Avon tyre that also bears GPO lettering and appears to have been retreaded in one of the GPO’s maintenance depots. Geoff Campbell GEORGE AND JANE COOK’S TRIP TO INDIA n March, members of the Sherbucks noggin were treated to a presentation with photographic slides by George Cook Iabout his adventure back in 1975 with his wife, Jane. George and I share some common ground. Apart from sharing the same initials, we both come from Watford, we both had careers as chartered civil engineers in different sectors of the water industry, we both have wives called Jane and we both undertook trips back in 1975. Then in their twenties, George and Jane gave up their jobs and set off on their quest on a Triumph Bonneville motor cycle combination. The machine had been de-tuned in order to cope with the low grade fuel available on the trip. George and Jane were accompanied by two friends who were on a similar bike. Stowed away in the sidecar were camping gear, tools and spares including tyres. The route started by crossing the English Channel to France and then down through Spain and over the Pyrenees to Gibraltar and by boat across to Morocco. This was followed by sightseeing in Greece, Turkey, Iran and Pakistan. Spare petrol was carried in two gallon cans but on one occasion they did run out and were helped by friendly locals. Crossing desert roads, George had followed advice to dry his motor cycle’s chain by boiling it to reduce the tendency for it to pick up grit. This proved successful in comparison to his friend’s chain which was left lubricated and suffered problems. Also his friend’s bike broke several spokes and the rear wheel had to be rebuilt by George along the way. Other setbacks included the theft of a bag containing passports, the failure of a headlight and the engine being flooded by a commercial vehicle splashing through a flooded road in the opposite direction. By the time of George and Jane’s arrival in India, their friends had set back for home, having done so in Turkey, and George and Jane’s machine was crated up and shipped back to England. On arrival back home, George phoned his former employers: The Colne Valley Water Company and accepted their offer of having his old civil engineering job back. This was a fascinating presentation about an adventurous challenge and our thanks are due to George and Jane for entertaining us. "What about my own trip in that year?" I hear you ask – well, I went to Cornwall for the week-end! Geoff Campbell FILM NIGHT n Saturday 25th March we Oassembled at the Guide Hut in Chalfont St Giles for the annual showing of ‘Frank’s Films’. These included a fine variety of transport based films of all sorts ranging from industrial publicity material to cartoons. The normal fish and chip supper was enhanced by Gayle Raine’s tea, coffee and home-made biscuits and flapjacks. Thanks to Chris and Gayle for organising this popular annual event. Geoff Campbell 21 THE AUSTIN SPRING RUN 2017 ith the prospect of a post hibernation run Win the Morris and some decent weather promised, it was hard to resist an invitation to join the Austin club's invitation to join them for a Spring Run round Buckinghamshire. So come the day I set off from Abingdon (this time early enough to avoid the worst of the morning rush traffic) and headed towards the meeting point at Ashley Green. This was the first time the car had done any mileage since the carburettor had been adjusted with a gas analyser, so I was a bit concerned that it might not run as well as it should. But of course you can't keep a good Morris down and it performed very well once the cobwebs from the winter lay-up had blown away. There must have been around twenty cars at the start when I got there. Not all were Austins and it was good to see that the Morris Register was quite well represented. The route took us over the Chilterns towards Brill. It was a pleasure to be out in a Morris because the hedgerows were just coming into leaf and there were very many daffodils in bloom along the verges. We stopped for a leg stretch at Brill windmill, but as there was such a cold wind blowing we did not stop for long. The route from Brill took us through some very pretty villages but all seemed to have quite steep hills which seemed to test most cars. One advantage of having a run mid-week is that there is not much traffic about. Perhaps this was just as well because it was slow going up some of the hills and we would have held up modern vehicles. Lunch was at a delightful pub near Aylesbury. Good food and pleasant companions made the time pass quickly. Soon it was time to head for home before the schools traffic clogged the roads. In all I did just over one hundred miles on this trip and the car seems in good form for the coming summer season, so it was a satisfactory day out in all respects. Article and pictures from Steve Gant

CHILTERNS EVENTS Saturday 13th May: Hyde Heath Fete & Car Show 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 Saturday 24th June: Sherbucks Noggin Open Day (Maple Cross), contact Chris Andrew Sunday 25th June: Leighton Buzzard Railway Vintage Vehicle Rally Saturday 1st July: Datchet Village Fete, Contact Ian Thompson 01753 548 232 thompsoneda@ talktalk.net Saturday 1st July: Woodoak’s Festival Maple Cross 07835 282 819 Sat 1st–Sun 2nd July: Chiltern Steam Rally, Prestwood, contact Den Jarrott Sunday 2nd July: WDCVC Summer Car Show, Bushey Sports Club Wednesday 5th July: Classics in the Walled Garden, Luton Hoo Estate Saturday 15th July: Chorleywood Classic Car Show Sunday 16th July: Uxbridge Autoshow Sat 22nd – Sun 23rd July: Chiltern Open Air Museum Classic Car Show Wednesday 26th July: Classics on Harpenden Common Sat 29th – Sun 30th July: Dacorum Fayre & Steam Rally Wednesday 2nd August: Classics on Croxley Green 14.00 Sunday 6th August: Ashlyns Car Show, Berkhamsted More event dates to follow – watch this space! 22 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]

could not help smiling long look however, particularly Ithis morning. BBC News the 1980’s Rolls Royce Silver North West reported that a Shadow that looked as if it cylinder head failure on the had stood for thirty years in 2000 tonne Isle of Man ferry a chicken shed – open rear ‘Ben-my-Chree’ meant that door, bonnet and all, and yet sailings from Heysham to the the interior hardly had a stain. Island had been suspended. Mention of Jon reminds me And you thought you had that his wife Suzie is the proud problems with a Morris 8 owner of a lovely Morris Eight head gasket! tourer that once belonged to I have not had any reports Vehicle Registrar Mike Brears, from the most recent Chester albeit mostly in bits. Here is a or Stockport Noggins but I photo of restorer Jon looking have no reason to believe quite pleased with himself - and that it has been anything rightly so, it’s gorgeous! other than business as usual Register member Kenny at both venues. It was good Ben-my-Chree IoM ferry Jackson from Newton-le- to note that 25 members Willows is also a keen member turned up for The Anchor Noggin on 3rd April and of several other motor clubs and often tells me about events particularly pleasing to meet recently joined members organised by them. One which in particular seems worthy Mark and Sarah James from Chorley who own a Flatnose of support is a Transport Show being held on 16th July at Cowley Two Seater. Another recent member, John Stewart Barton Aerodrome near Eccles, Manchester (now called has an Oxford and a Cowley on which he has been spending City Airport) in support of a charity seeking to establish sometime sorting out brakes. John lives near Burnley and a three bay garage workshop at the site offering training bearing in mind the hilly nature of parts of East Lancashire, and rehabilitation for recently discharged ex-servicemen he needs all the braking and women. The centre will power he can find. eventually include conference, I enjoyed a day out at the computer and therapy facilities. NEC Restoration Show last To find out more about the Saturday with garage friend show and the charity, visit The Jon Newbould and spent a Veterans Garage website. few minutes at the Register’s By the time you are reading stand during the day to this, our two North West Drive- admire the work of our it-Day runs will be over, our Midland Region colleagues group visit to the Isle of Man in flying the flag for the club, will be just around the corner, ably assisted by President (if ‘Ben-my-Chree’ has a new Malcolm Dixon. Although head gasket) and hopefully there was plenty of interest there will be plenty of events at the show, something told to look forward to throughout me this year’s was not quite the summer. If you are involved up to what it has been in in organising anything or just the past and I wonder if taking part in something you this is another event Suzie's Morris like, do let me have where relatively details beforehand so modern ‘classic’ NORTH WEST REGION I can give it a plug, tinware is ousting Annual Gathering 11th June 2017 and let me have a the pre-war cars that At Cuckooland Museum, Tabley, Knutsford, WA16 0HL story and photos form the basis of my after the event. I am personal interest? My Meet at 12.00 noon for lunch at The Golden Pheasant, always looking for feedback was very Plumley WA16 9RX then on to the museum for a guided tour Red Rose material. In much “more pre- of one of the largest collection of cuckoo clocks in the world. the meantime, Happy war cars please”. The Advance bookings please to: Morris Motoring to Barn Finds section Gary Clarke on 0161 427 7311 or everyone! was well worth a Neil Truslove on 01204 598 526 23 ore than 25,000 visitors are reported Mto have visited the Classic Car and Restoration Show. Thanks to Midland Region members, Morris Register was one of a hundred and thirty- two clubs represented. In addition to the club lorry, the MR stand included the late Paul Ollis' Minor. Its restoration is being completed by members from the Warwickshire noggin.

WELSH REGION NEWSLETTER CYLCHLYTHYR RHANBARTH CYMRU EDITOR AND SECRETARY: John Howells, “Bronllys”, Vicarage Road, Penygraig, Rhondda,CF40 1HR 01443 432 542 [email protected]

ALUN EMLYN-JONES, OBE. 1923 2017 lun Emlyn-Jones, OBE, died on March 7th, aged 94. Alun Awas well known around Cardiff for driving his red 1937 Morris 8 Tourer with the registration EGO 33. Except for his time serving his country in the RAF during the war, he lived in Cardiff all of his life and loved everything about the city. His Welsh speaking grandfather, Evan Jones, came to Cardiff to find work in a haulier's yard looking after the horses, a business he eventually inherited when the owner died. Alun's father, Emlyn, expanded the business and became an eminent ship owner in Cardiff.He was tragically killed with Alun's mother Rhoda in a plane crash in 1952. Alun joined the RAF in 1942 at the age of 19. He became a Bomb Aimer taking part in 29 operational sorties over enemy territory with 51 Squadron. In 1944, while he was convalescing from appendicitis, his entire crew were killed on a training exercise when their plane struck Garrowby Hill in Yorkshire. He never forgot this tragic event and later erected a memorial on the spot where the accident took place. In 1949 Alun met Prudence James who was principal ballet dancer in Babes in the Wood at the New Theatre. A whirlwind romance followed and they married the same year. They settled in Cardiff only a mile or so from Alun's parental home and brought up four daughters. Their marriage was cut short when in 1967 Prue died aged 42. Alun fought two elections as the Liberal candidate for North Dorset in 1957 and 1959 and served his city as a magistrate from 1957. He was appointed Chairman of the Bench in 1984. In 1964, Alun became secretary of the Cardiff and District Council on Alcoholism and this became his life's work. In 1966 he set up the first hostel of its kind at Dyfrig House on Fitzhammon Embankment and later Emlyn House in Newport and Brynawel at Llanharan. He was dedicated to the continuing development of alcohol, drug and homelessness services and well into his 80s slept out on the freezing pavement in Cardiff centre once a year to draw attention to the plight of the homeless. He was awarded an OBE for his work with vulnerable people. He retired as Chairman of the South Wales Council at the age of 85 but remained the lifelong president. In 1980 he met Julie and they married in 1983 and she supported him in all aspects of his life. Dedicated to public service he was at one point a member of 36 committees in Cardiff and chairman of many of them. He was still involved with Aberdare Hall and the NSPCC at the time of his death. In January 2016 Alun was awarded the Chevalier de la Legion d'honneur, the highest decoration France can bestow, for his part in the defence of that country in WW2. Alun died peacefully after a stroke with his family around him: wife Julie and daughters Judy, Rhoda, Mandy and Lucy.

SECRETARY'S SPOT am sure that the condolences of all our members go out to Alun’s wife Julie, and family at this sad time. Alun and Julie’s IMorris (see picture above) now resides with members David and Ruth Hicks, who are in the process of carrying out some restoration work on engine and bodywork. On a different note, our own Morris 8 deluxe saloon, "The Morris", has been having some problems ‘seen to’ in readiness for Drive-it-Day. A petrol weep on the tank, which was just enough to cause a faint staining of the road dirt was inspected. Accumulations of years of muddy grot were carefully removed to identify the source. The petrol tank appears to be made like a large baked beans tin lying on its side. I carefully cleaned the area with some cellulose thinner around the seep, and thought, "What can I do about this?" Then I remembered a wonderful preparation called Petro Patch, and Leak at the bottom bought some at my local Auto-Shop.The instructions were read, and of the recess the area was roughed-up with a medium emery-cloth for good keying. After using the emery, the faint weep became a very thin squirt, from a hole about ¼mm diameter. At this point the tank was drained. 26 When it was good and empty, I cut off a chunk of the Petro Patch (it comes slid into a tube, and looks like a soft stick of rock), and kneaded it in my hands to mix the constituents. I wore throw-away gloves for this. Then the putty-like stuff was applied to the hole and surrounds. NO WAY WOULD IT STICK! The problem appeared to be a very slight continual dampening around the hole by residual petrol from within. There must have been a few drips of petrol left around the end seam inside. Hmm – I jacked up the side of 'The Morris 'for any petrol to run to the other end of the tank, and then blew compressed air into the tiny hole (with the filler cap removed). SUCCESS – the area stayed dry. Another chunk of PetroPatch the size of a dice was cut off and kneaded, and forced into the area, smoothing it down at the sides. It adhered well, and I left it for 24 hours to fully cure (top left photo). Then came the test, as I poured the petrol back in and left it to stand for another day. Good, no sign of a leak. There were however some small areas of rust here and there around that end of the tank, which I should do something about, so I used a rust killer/converter preparation on those, and applied it again the next day (top right photo). When that was dry and changed colour to black, I applied a liberal coating of zinc phosphate primer from Johnstones (bottom right photo). That’s where the job is at present. When it is really dry I’ll apply a good coat of something like Hammerite black. I really ought to give the tank an internal sealing treatment too, for maximum longevity. Frosts? Happily driving 'The Morris" back around from the garage to the house, I thought ,"What’s that tick – tick - tick coming from the rear end?" But that’s another story. No other items have been sent in this month, folks! John Howells

WELSH EVENTS 17/18 May: Astle Park Rally, Chelford, Cheshire 17/18 May: Clwyd Vintage Rally, Oswestry Showground 20/21 May: Anglesey Vintage Rally 21 May: South Wales Classic Car Club rally at Cardiff City Football Stadium, Contact: Ian Thomas, Treetops, St. Michael's Avenue. Pontypridd, RCT. CF37 1NS. 01443 406 333 28/29 May: Smallwood Vintwage Rally, Sandbach 4 June: Scolton Manor Rally – contact Peter Badham 01834 812 132 10/11 June: South Wales Austin 7 Club Rally at Bryngarw Country Park. Road run on the Sat, Rally field static and driving games etc. on the Sunday. Contact John Williams, 24, West Rd. Nottage, Porthcawl, CF36 3SN 11 June: Barry Festival of Transport. Contact: Mike 07733 302 242 (evenings) 20/21 June: Cheshire Show, Tabley Showground 24/25 June: Kelsall Steam Weekend, Ashton Cheshire 8 July: Penarth Carnival. Classic car show and ‘Downhill Derby’ This event will have its own afternoon, including the addition of food and drink stalls as well as Classic Cars 15 July: What seems to be a carnival continuation at Penarth: A family day of activities, stalls, music and stage entertainment on The Esplanade and at The Kymin. 17 Sept: The Big Welsh Car Show – this is to be held at Chepstow Racecourse this year instead of Margam Park. Contact: 020 7504 2200 or website: www.bloodwise.org.uk/carshow (After you complete the first on-line page, you can then proceed to the next page and so on)

27 Editor: Jenny Smithson 01959 525 265, [email protected] Chairman: John Mason 01689 858 546, [email protected]

HERITAGE TRANSPORT RALLY, DETLING ur first rally of the year took place at the Kent County Showground at Detling, Onear Maidstone, on Saturday 1st April. Terry and I got there very early but the showground was already very busy with many beautiful classic cars on show. For once the weather was kind to us (it can be freezing cold on Detling Hill in early April!) and we were blessed with warm Spring sunshine. This event is especially enjoyed by bus enthusiasts and there were about 80 buses on display, some of which were giving free rides around the showground. The buses ranged from those built in the 1920s right up to the modern day. Many local companies were represented and the historic buses looked resplendent in the liveries of Maidstone & District, East Kent, London Country, Green Line, London Transport, Brighton & Hove, Southdown and Arriva. I think we had about six rides around the showground on six different buses! (See photos, right). As well as buses there were many classic and vintage cars on display together with several motorcycles and a variety of commercial vehicles. We spotted a few Morris Register members’ vehicles including a pre-series Morris 8 saloon, Chris Rushton’s Series 2 Morris 8 tourer, a 1931 Morris Minor and a 1939 Morris 10 M that was advertised for sale. There were many Morris 1000s of all varieties and a good selection of Morris commercial vehicles. I took photos of some of the most interesting examples, including a 1968 Mk II Morris Mini Cooper. Terry and I had a very enjoyable day and I expect we will be going again next year. If you live in Kent it is worth putting in your diary for next year, it is always held on the first Saturday in April. Jenny Smithson

28 WEST SUSSEX NOGGIN his month saw the start of the local rally Tseason with a number of our members exhibiting their vehicles at the Amberley Vintage Car Show on 2nd April. The vehicle show ground occupies part of the Amberley Museum site forming part of an old chalk pit where there are plenty of vintage industrial machines. Dave Bennett’s Minor and caravan is pictured nestling in front of a vintage crane. In the middle of the line-up of cars at Amberley (above) is a grey Morris 8 Tourer belonging to Gerry Steadman. This superb example featured on the cover of last month’s Morris Monthly and again (below) at our April Noggin. Gerry purchased the car in 1999 from Wales after having been imported from New Zealand. Although Gerry has done little to the exterior bodywork, he has fitted a new gearbox and Morris Minor side-valve engine. Other non Morris cars at our Noggin were Martin Granger’s Riley and a 1952 Jowett Javelin recently purchased by Miq and Karen Kelland. Both are shown below. Keith & Isabel Salmon

S.E. EVENTS 6 May: Trevithick Commemorative Steam Event, Central Park, Dartford 7 May: Morris Register Maynot Run, contact Mike Brears 27-29 May: Spring Cuckoo Fayre, Laughton 3/4 June: Tinkers Park Steam and Transport Fair 14 June: Morris Register Bus Run (TO BE CONFIRMED) Contact Terry Smithson 18 June: Bromley Pageant Of Motoring 18 June: Bewl Water Vintage Rally and Picnic 29 Jun-2 Jul: Goodwood Festival of Speed 1/2 July: Spa Valley Railway Summer Steam Festival & Classic Car Show. 2 July: Darling Buds Classic Car Show, Bethersden, Kent 2 July: Wrotham Steam and Transport Rally. Note new date and one day only 8/9 July: Wiston Steam Rally, West Sussex 15/16 July: Michelham Priory Classic Car Show 23 July: Amberley Museum Summer Picnic 29/30 July: Ringmer Steam & Country Show 5/6 Aug: Weald of Kent Steam Rally, Woodchurch 5/6 Aug: Morris Register National Rally, Thoresby Park 6 Aug: Hooe Old Motor Club Concours D’Elegance, Hooe 12/13 Aug: Firle Place Vintage Show 13 Aug: Cranleigh Lions Classic Vehicle Show 24-28 Aug: Great Dorset Steam Fair 26-28 Aug: Festival Of Transport, Hellingly 26-28 Aug: Rudgwick Steam and Country Show 28 Aug: Bexhill 100 Classic Car Show 3 Sept: Shoreham Heavy Horse Show, Shoreham, Near Sevenoaks, Kent 8-10 Sept: Goodwood Revival 9/10 Sept: Autumn Show, Laughton 16/17 Sept: Isle Of White Classic car weekend 24 Sept: Blackboys Steam Rally and Classic Car meeting, The Star at Waldron 7/8 Oct: Lavender Line Steam & Vintage Transport Gala, Isfield 7/8 Oct: Hastings Classic Car Show 14/15 Oct: Austin Counties Car Rally Kent & East Sussex Railway, Tenterden 29 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]

VISIT TO ALAN MARSHALL'S CAR COLLECTION n Sunday March 19th, around twelve noon, twenty-five of us arrived at a potato warehouse in Hull to visit Alan OMarshall's collection of twenty-seven Humber cars, the largest collection of this make of luxury limousines in the world. We were welcomed individually by Alan himself and given tea and biscuits whilst we had a quick look around. At 12.30 we sat down to a very interesting, informative, and at times hilarious talk on the origins of the start up and a good bit of its history through the years, from bicycle makers to motorised bike manufacture and then on to quality car production, as well as, during the war, the making of tanks and other military vehicles. Alan told us about the company takeover, firstly by Rootes Group then many years later by the American Chrysler Group and subsequently Peugeot Talbot, who eventually closed it down after taking government handouts and promising to keep its factories running. Alan's talk was very comprehensive: his knowledge seemed inexhaustible and he entertained us for fifty minutes before we went on to look around in earnest. Now this isn't a museum: there are no ropes or cordoned off areas. This is a man who is proud of his cars and he enjoys them and wants you to enjoy them too, so it's a case of please don't damage them but other than that you can touch, sit in any seat, look under bonnets, open and close doors, have your photos taken in them, nothing is too much trouble. The middle photo below is of Edward and Rosalind Stirk in Edward VIII and Mrs. Simpson's limo. Another thing is that there is no charge and although there is a collection box for donations for his restoration projects Alan wouldn't think of mentioning it so I pointed it out all those present, because in a museum you would have to buy your hot drink as well as the entrance fee, not here everything was free. After about two and a half hours we had to go as some of the ladies were getting cold and others wanted their lunch so after thanking Alan for his time some went off home or to other commitments and fourteen of us went to a local hostelry for lunch before wending our way home about 4.30 ish. A great day was had by all. Roy Pidgeon

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

LEICS AND NORTHANTS NOGGIN he 2017 car season has well and truly started, not only with the onset of some warmer weather and lighter nights, but with TThe Practical Classics and Restoration Show. Although they are long, hard days at these events, we were pleased to be able to assist the Club and the support we receive from members can be very rewarding. Many of the clubs and traders felt the show was much quieter than previous years but nevertheless we had good Club Shop sales and recruited 8 new members. One of which, Jonathon Creak, actually came along on the following Tuesday to our noggin, with his son, Matthew, as did 27 others, and, as ever, it was an informative and busy evening! Jonathon had acquired his 1936 Morris 8 saloon about a month ago and although it needs some attention, it is a runner and fit to go. David Coombs, another newish member, had acquired his Series 1, Morris 8, since our last noggin, and it had been fitted with a reconditioned engine and gearbox, and although it had been under SORN for 11 years, it now potentially looks good and also ready for the road. We are grateful to Martin Gregory for having arranged our Drive-it-Day run following a trip of 40 miles starting and finishing in Medbourne, stopping for coffee, lunch and afternoon tea en-route – let’s hope that when you read this, it will have passed uneventfully! Wicksteed at War takes place over the weekend of 10th/11th June and we would welcome your support, even if you can only come for one of the days. Other members present highlighted their own personal car issues but thankfully nothing major to report. Robert Leacroft informed members he had recently acquired a Leak Down Tester, which was a more reliable method of measuring compressions and was willing to loan this out if anyone wished to borrow it. Stuart King highlighted an article in a recent magazine – “Are You Adequately Insured?” A classic car owner had spent some eight years lovingly restoring a Wolseley 6/80 in his garage only for an electrical fire to reduce his prized possession to ashes and he wasn’t insured! Bob Williams presented a photographic journey of his recent visit to the London Classic Car Show which consisted of mainly what we consider to be modern classics but did manage to find ONE Morris Eight! He also showed a few pictures from the NEC, giving members a brief insight into the two shows. Don’t forget May’s noggin will be on Tuesday, 9th May, at The Angel Hotel, Market Harborough, and if you order food and can’t come, cancellations need to be made before 6 pm the day before, i.e. 8th May. Pat Farmer

HEREFORDS AND WORCS NOGGIN ur March noggin commenced with general discussions regarding the work being undertaken on our cars. Following on Ofrom this, Tony Adlard outlined plans for our Drive-it-Day. He passed around maps of the suggested route starting from Much Wenlock, passing through Middlehope and various other places on to the Wild Goose Nursery home of Bouts national collection of violas. There is a café and Tony took numbers of people wishing to have lunch there in order to give them an idea of numbers. It was decided that we would not visit the Coalbrookdale area on this occasion. Tony and Len were thanked for sorting this out for us. Len Dixon did a presentation on the Live School and Clinic in Nepal which he visited in 2002. He talked about, and showed a film about the New Life Mission where an orphanage was built on a small piece of land for abandoned and unwanted children and babies. This now has a school and clinic which were badly needed. There are connections with this country with Alveley Church helping to support them. We had a collection to help with the ongoing work out there. Steven Kent took part in the VSCC Light Car and Edwardian section's Welsh Tour and Trial in Llandridnod Wells in Mid-Wales over the last weekend in March. They are in his Minor and his navigator/bouncer was a friend from up north in Stockport called Merlin Evans - the Minor is the one he has been fettling with a major engine and clutch and wheel re-build. Even on the day before the event it was not going too well, suffering from petrol starvation, but it was fixed (new float and inlet valve) and drove the 60 miles to and from the event, did the 100 mile plus road tour on the Saturday over some big hills and then competed in the Trial on the Sunday. This was his first ever Trial as a driver and although the results were mediocre (coming 30/42) he thoroughly enjoyed himself especially as the car behaved itself save a few more fuel starvation issues (lots of crud coming from the petrol tank blocking the carburettor filter). They cleared one hill and by mistake stopped a smidgeon short of the 20 marker on another. The rest of the hills were "middling" and he said that he would like to think he was sparing the engine from too higher revs! (See photo). Next month Tony will bring along a DVD entitled "100 Vintage Cars & Motor Cycles" with the description "Enjoy a fascinating day out as well as visiting car fairs and motor cycle rallies up and down the English Countryside. June Sargeant 31 nglia Re t A g s io a n E

No.471 EDITOR AND SECRETARY: Tony Nathan, 01702 589 643, [email protected]

FROM THE CHAIR ith the start of Spring truly here and the very lucky time this part of the country has had with decent weather, Wwe are starting to see the classics come out from hibernation. It would seem that the emphasis now will be more towards static displays rather than road runs because of the bureaucracy involved, which is a shame, although it does allow more chat time. I hope you have the AGM in your diary (14th May) as it would be good to learn where the members of the region would like the direction of things to go as it has been difficult to cultivate new blood for the committee. Perhaps members do not want the current situation to change, but change things must and from 2018 there could be no committee at all. Pam Lee FROM THE EA SECRETARY/EDITOR e held the East Anglian Committee meeting on Sunday 5th March. In attendance were Pam Lee (Chair), Dave Lee, WMike Adams, Rex Web, Jenny and Peter Brown, Dave Illsley (Treasurer) and Tony Nathan. One topic was, as usual, discussion regarding new volunteers for the Committee. Most current Committee members have held their posts for many years – Dave Illsley for more than 50 and our requests for more support, even in some small way have been largely ignored. This is to advise that the East Anglian Committee will stand down as of the 2018 AGM. Saying this though, the advantages of being a club member, long-term friendships, noggins, camaraderie, advice, Morris Monthly, are all part of membership. BUT we will not continue until others are prepared to offer just a little more time – just a little. From other organisations I’m involved in, ALL are looking for just a little extra support from the wider membership, perhaps just to fill a committee post for a year with no strings attached. I do get gloomy, (some say miserable so and so!) but then take the month of March and I feel a lot better… see following: Our Committee Meeting on the 5th March was excellent. OK we had deep discussions about the committee's future, but on the other hand we had laughs, great food prepared by Pam Lee (her soup should not be missed). I was unable to attend the Essex noggin on the 9th March but I’m sure it went well. Or perhaps taking the M8 the 120 mile round trip to Brooklands on Sunday the 12th – very wet, but a great day and get-together with like-minded folk. Or perhaps "Breakfast on the Beach" Sunday 19th March as part of the Southend & District Classic Car Club display, where four Morris 8s were amongst the gathering – nearly enough to have a Southend on Sea special noggin! Underlying this is we had fun and that is what it is all about – but (there is that word again) we and other organisations need support. Other things that make being involved worthwhile – hearing from a fellow enthusiast who, as a result of reading the East Anglian YPs, had some information to add. Or meeting at shows, the “My father had one of those” folk - you learn a lot. Then last month's Nth Cambs Noggin ably organised by Dudley Hedge – however without Dudley’s efforts (and Angela’s patience), would not have happened. Most recently I heard from Dutch member, Nick Macey, who will be bringing his 8 tourer over from the Netherlands to take part in the Ipswich – Felixstowe run on 7th May and putting him touch with Olive and Ivan Rooke and other members who will also be taking part. Or correspondence with French and Australian members. I know also of East Anglian members who give assistance to other members without mention. This is what being a Morris Register member is all about, as it functions with support of ALL the members. Tony Nathan ROOKE’S RAMBLES ebruary (when this was penned) is a little early for commentary on events, although I have already declined one so Fmy mind wanders to what topics might be of interest to readers? So with that in mind I might just continue to ramble. Although I have owned some of my Morrises for what seems almost a lifetime, there are still certain little mysteries connected thereto. I suppose my main interest was always to drive the vehicles, the mere aesthetics were just something I lived with, as possibly did my motoring predecessors! When I refer to aesthetics I am really referring to what might be regarded now as bolt on goodies. I am fortunate, although I am sure others have similar pleasures, in having one of those early motoring catalogues showing these delightful items available in those days. The one I have is the R. Cadisch and Sons Motor Catalogue for 1934 to 1935 (see photo top left, next page) although Brown Brothers and others did similar publications. What is excellent is that amongst other car makes there is a section on Morris. Not only does it list interesting accessories of the time but also gives a great deal of information regarding the mechanical spare parts for some of our cars although as it happens not the Eight. When I acquired my Eight it was sporting a Brooklands steering wheel. I never in those early days realised it was not the original Eight steering wheel. It did and still does look good but was fitted at some stage prior to my ownership. The motor catalogue I have lists this adornment for several Morris models, although perhaps a little early for the Eight? Still with my Eight, there was and still 32 is a lever attached to the steering column which in turn is attached to the distributor. Now, the distributor on this model is effectively 'locked' in position although fully adjustable for correct timing. This device seems to merely replicate the ignition advance and retard lever on earlier cars although I doubt it was a standard fitting. Being spring fitted it did allow movement of the distributor by the driver but in practice, I personally always felt once set it was best left alone. If the reader is interested the lever can be seen in the photograph of my children enjoying themselves in the car in the April 2017 edition of my ramblings. The smokers’ companion (see photo top right) was clearly a must for the early motorist and a Morris version sits complete with pipe in our two seater. Nearby is the flower vase. Neither of which has seen active service in my ownership! When I acquired our 1927 Cowley it was and still is, as you can see from the photograph (below right) fitted with a tap on the dashboard, the dust shown on the steering column is also probably original! This was at that time connected directly to the carburettor via a small pipe, now broken off. It isn't now as it utilises the same connection to the carburettor as that required for the operation of the windscreen wiper. The garage I use, who had run Cowley's for many years in the past explained it was used to introduce more air to the carburettor. In other words to keep it lean and mean! So that explained that one, although it is not an accessory in the Cadisch catalogue! I wonder what early MoT man thought when carrying out the test in the 1960s? Having read this article I feel sure I may have mentioned some of these things before! Talking of adornments, however, and noting those on the dummy grille of our esteemed Secretary's Eight saloon, apart from the weight I wonder if it suffers from overheating! Ivan Rooke EdEAYP: In answer to Ivan’s question about overheating: touch wood no problem, even in the heaviest of London traffic (I just open the window!) Sorry, Ivan, I thought you meant the driver. MINI TOUR OXFORD short while ago, Jane and I had the opportunity to take the Mini Plant A Oxford Factory Tour. As the blurb says (paraphrased): “See 1000 robots, with an escorted descripted guided tour through the assembly halls, see a new MINI ‘born’ ever 68 seconds, and see the collection of heritage cars”. And indeed is was ‘what it says on the tin’, a fascinating couple of hours. The cost was £20 each. The collection of heritage cars referred to is limited and of course follows the life of the Mini from beginning to the current production models, including links with Morris vehicles, with a Bullnose (see cover) and Morris Minor* on display (*Sept 1952 with the 918 engine). No Morris Eight though. Also shown, left, is a photo of our first Mini – OK some would say proper Mini – but it is good that the marque has continued and kept up with the times. Tony Nathan 33 BROOKLANDS, 12th MARCH had a choice of weather forecasts, cloudy with occasional Ishowers, or heavens open and rain all day. Unfortunately as soon as I entered Brooklands' gates the heavens did open and it never really stopped raining. I went into London with the intention of Upper Thames Street and over Westminster Bridge, however just before leaving it was announced that there was to be congestion on my preferred route so I decided to go via Tower Bridge then south of the Thames to the Elephant and Castle and pick up the A3. A nice thing about this route is there are a lot of 50 mph, 30 mph and even 20 mph roads which suit the M8 fine. Brooklands, although wet, had a good number of Morrises turn up, although overall the attendance was well down. Those familiar with Brooklands will notice significant changes in part of the layout with part of the banking being reinstalled and the aircraft hangar moved to allow for this – and of course there is the London Bus Museum, plus the other Brooklands displays. I had the pleasure of meeting our Club Chairman, John Ford, MM Editor, Rob Symonds, Barbara and Pat Farmer, all appearing rather soggy out of the gloom! My return journey was to be London again but as the rain was still tipping down I chose to cut across south of Croydon on to Pratts Bottom (yes, this exists) then join the M25 for the eight miles down to the Dartford Tunnel. With the Eight holding 50 mph – easy. A couple of things… after driving in torrential rain the brakes needed a little use to dry out. Then there are those daft traffic calming humps (right) in the centre the carriageway of some ‘A’ roads (with no advance warning), which modern cars can straddle with ease and thus do not have to slow down. But the poor M8 with its narrow track (inside leg!) of 1.143 metres (45”) has to slow down to a walking pace. Please tell me what this particular type traffic calming is for? Or have the authorities been plagued by speeding Morris Eights? There is a lot of information on the internet concerning traffic calming. Initially I entered “traffic humps” into a search engine and there were some remarkable results which I won’t go into! But for “traffic bumps” there are details on dimensions and definitions. The reference to the non PC (nowadays) “sleeping policeman” or a translation from Russian “Laying down policemen”. The first instance of a traffic bump, according to the Institute of Transportation, was in the City of Delft in the Netherlands, other claims are made from the USA for the 1930s. Tony Nathan BREAKFAST ON THE BEACH, 19th MARCH s mentioned (and in previous EAYPs) this is a fairly regular Aevent that the Southend & District Classic Car Club takes part in. It is in conjunction with Southend on Sea Borough Council, and is free if pre-booked. The setting is on a very nice paved area which is part of "City Beach" but I prefer the old title of "The Golden Mile". The SDCCC had a full complement and variation of cars, which this time included four Morris 8s! The S1 two seater of Phil Vidler, the S2 tourer of *Peter Bewers, the S2 two door saloon belonging to Mike Cain and a S1 two door saloon driven by some geezer from Shoeburyness (I wonder who?). *The tourer was on its first run since being purchased (see photo). In addition to the event being free there is provided a parking permit and the SDCCC Chairman and Events Sec Nick Jones manages to organise a free bacon roll as well to those SDCCC members pre –booked. This is an added attraction and in contrast to the increasing number of shows that demand money up-front, (I exclude proper charity events from this observation). Top: In front row, Mike Cain’s S2 saloon, Phil Vidler's 2 seater and in the distance EAYPEd’s S1 saloon Bottom L: Peter Bewers S2 tourer Bottom R: An interesting throttle pedal modification for big feet! 34 MORRIS 25 MYSTERY ITEM n the June 2016 edition of Morris Monthly, MIck Roberts asked for help to identify a Imystery item for his Morris 25. He now writes: "Hi Tony, it is for a Lucas rubber bulb horn operated with the knee from under the dash." (The Lucas item was located on the bulkhead under the bonnet. See photo right.) THINGS YOU FIND ON THE PATH Or are you as daft as I am? Most days I enjoy a good walk, being fortunate where we live I have the opportunity to walk up to eight miles along Southend seafront from Shoeburyness and along to Leigh on Sea (or any permutation) and yes, it been known for me to hop on a bus for the return journey. I’m always surprised by the number of nuts, bolts and washers that can be seen littering the pavement and gutters and wonder where they have from (see photo). Many are useful bits to keep in a box in the garage. (OK, how sad can I get? – hope that is the correct term!) I’m even more interested as a few years ago on the M25, a lorry trailer wheel detached itself and thudded into the front of my Peugeot having on its way nearly destroyed a Jaguar. Fortunately I have not found any wheel nut in my travels! I have every admiration for the design of modern vehicles which saved me by taking the impact (as did the Jaguar occupants), leaving me only with bruising and shock. Tony Nathan

A FEW WORDS ON THE EA AGM, 14th MAY t is difficult to get wider interest in the East Anglian AGM but fortunately is always supported by the stalwarts of the IRegion. This year is again at the Danbury Sports and Social Centre, starting at 2 pm. We are considering reinstating the AGM for 2018 at a venue which can provide food, or possibly hold the AGM as part of a noggin. Holding the AGM on Sunday also presents problems as in May this will clash with car shows. There are some important things to discuss with regard to the future of the Region. Don’t worry you will not be co-opted – and are under NO obligation, but we do need input. We also do need to discuss what EA members expect from the Region. Plus the Committee’s intention to stand down at the 2018 AGM and the ramifications of this need considering. EVENTS LIST hen I receive event information I circulate it to the folk who are on the East Anglian Events Mailing List only. Should Wyou want to receive this information please let me know, please provide your email address, also membership number. All details are only sent Bcc, so no one else sees your email address. Don’t forget the occasional show report with a couple of photos would be very much appreciated for EAYPs.

EAST ANGLIAN EVENTS Essex Noggin is second Thursday at the Duck, Newney Green. Until someone volunteers to prepare an events diary, I will send out events on a one off basis and as I receive them. Reminder: East Anglian AGM is on Sunday 14th May at Danbury Sports and Social Centre Commencing at 2 pm. Dawson Field, Danbury, CM3 4NQ. PLEASE Support. Diary NOW please. Cake promised.

35 LATE 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 his edition of Westwords is the 121st that I have edited and marks the start of my eleventh year as the West Region’s Tnewsletter editor. I would have thought that by now that all of you would have long since tired of my dreary prose and be looking forward to the outpourings from some fresh editorial talent! Oh well never mind, you will have to put up with me for yet another year. With the active season now truly underway, I look forward to your reports and photographs from the many events you attend during 2017. Please email your contributions to: [email protected]. Jim Riglar WEST REGION AGM, 11th APRIL he West Region AGM was well attended with about 35 members from as far afield as Lymington, Hants; Seaton, TDevon; Minehead, Somerset; and Swindon, Wiltshire, making the effort to attend. However it was disappointing to note that from a regional membership of 325, there were no new nominations for any of the committee positions. In the absence of any other nominations all of the existing committee members were re-elected to the West Region Committee: Chairman: Anne Riglar (Wilts) Committee Secretary: Jeremy Matthews Representatives: (Somerset) Paul James (Wilts) Treasurer: Celia Goodland (Dorset) John Goodland (Dorset) Assistant Secretary: Amanda Matthews Derek Brockway (Dorset) (Somerset) Celia James (Wilts) Events Secretary: Jim Riglar (Wilts) Paula Wood (Devon) Membership Secretary: Harry Good (Somerset) Maurice Lott (Devon) Newsletter Editor: Jim Riglar (Wilts) Toby Sears (Hants) 1

4

2 3 On a lighter note, it was pleasing to note the AGM inspired a few members from Somerset and Wiltshire to attend in their Morris cars: 1: Colin Baker (Shepton Mallet) 1938 M8 S2 2 seater 2: Paul Wheatcroft (Bristol) 1935 M8 S1 tourer 3: Gordon & David Morris (Melksham) 1935 15/6 4: Brian Doggrell (Castle Cary) 1939 M8 SE 2 door saloon The Committee will also continue to encourage inter-noggin events, as a means of improving ties and networking across the region to the benefit of one and all. After all, if the members of your local noggin can’t advise on a problem you may have, then a member in another noggin might have just the experience and advice you need! In support of this, Committee member Toby Sears will at some point during the summer again be organising a Sunday lunchtime inter- noggin event in the Avon Valley, north of Salisbury. The location is within striking distance of many members who attend the North Wilts, North-East Wilts, Somerset and New Forest noggins. (See Noggin list at the end of Westwords). NEWS FROM THE GROUPS

East & South Devon (Halfway House Cross Roads): Hello everybody, on 6th April we had our usual Noggin and natter, 14 members attended. We talked about all of the car shows we know of in our area; these will be listed and sent to people via our Noggin email list. We had a good evening chatting about things other than cars, as well as a few technical problems to do with cars, the 36 noggin is of course a social gathering as well as car stuff! We meet on the first Thursday of the month. The venue being The Halfway Inn on the Sidmouth Road at the junction of A3055/B3130. Our start time is 7.30pm. Paula Wood Somerset (Shepton Mallet): Despite the hiatus caused by the AGM, there was still ample opportunity to chat about numerous issues and events. Drive-it-Day arrangements were being finalised with Chris Murray sorting the start/finish refreshment arrangements with The Highwayman Inn and Jim Riglar establishing who would be coming on all or part of the run. Arrangements for the Bristol Classic Car Show (June) are progressing and a stand to accommodate four cars has been booked. Currently two cars are confirmed for the display, with options for the other two places. However we are always keen to see different vehicles on the stand, so if you would like to display your car, contact Jim Riglar as soon as possible (01225 754 881 or [email protected]). New faces are always welcome at the noggin and it was a pleasure to welcome Gordon Morris and his son David who had travelled from Melksham in their 15/6 saloon. A number of noggin regulars had met them last year on a Tony Hale organised run, when they were running a M8 S1 saloon. Brian Doggrell having just fitted new headlights to his M8 SE saloon also brought his car along as he was keen to test the lights on the way home; let’s hope they worked OK and he didn’t have to find his way in the dark! Colin Baker and Paul Wheatcroft had also both ventured out in their M8s, so there was some interest out in the car park. Jim Riglar New Forest (North Gorley): Once again, on 21 March, we were blessed with a sunny day, combined with the longer evenings, making a nice trip out to the March noggin. Present were all the usual suspects, Gerald, Malcolm, Rachael, John and Vera, Reg and Lyn, Christine and Geoff, Toby and Linda plus a spontaneous visit by Mike Rose. We seem to have been busy preparing our cars with some pushing the boundaries a bit further. Gerald has all but finished his Eight restoration, Malcolm’s Minor special is having a Reliant upgrade, Reg is making progress with his Minor and as for me, I am up to my elbows in a Minor engine overhaul as well as making progress with my tourer restoration. As usual money and parts were exchanged and there was car talk as well as other discussions and reminiscences! It doesn't seem long until the Spring autojumble at Beaulieu and to our Larmer Tree Gardens Drive-it-Day run. April’s noggin on the 18th was a warm up of sorts for the joint trip, with the Somerset noggin, to the Larmer Tree Gardens at Tollard Royal. I had the green saloon out to give it a good shakedown before it goes up for sale at Beaulieu. I had also driven our B road/unclassified Drive-it-Day route to check directions and timing in the 2 seater, it was a glorious daytime drive through rural areas with thatched cottages and spring blossom including some rather early rhododendrons. The lighter and warmer evenings are very welcome and make for a pleasant journey across the New Forest for the noggin at North Gorley, especially at the moment with spring blossom, heather and gorse in full glory. Present at the noggin were Geoff and Christine, the Keens, Toby and Linda, Malcolm, Reg and Lyn, plus Gerald who is tantalizingly close to finishing his Eight restoration. Discussion of disappointing local companies was enlightening and helpful! Toby Sears

ME AND MY CAR An occasional series featuring members’ cars – this month a Tale of Two Cities Chassis by Charles what the Dickens! 1: Alta engined M8 Special: Whilst progress on his nearly complete M8 S1 Van project has been stalled, Roy Bowden has seized the opportunity to make progress on his latest project, an M8 Special. Roy has already built up a rolling chassis. With recent help from a few fellow members he has now managed to get the engine, which he rebuilt with an Alta ohv conversion kit fitted, lifted into place and on its mounts in the chassis. Never one to let the grass grow under his feet, Roy has since made further progress, having already fitted a shortened prop shaft, so the drive train is now complete with the gearbox connected up via the prop shaft to the diff. To accommodate a reduction in car body height of about 2½ inches, a radiator has already had its cores replaced by modern shorter ones, and is ready to fit so that the engine cooling system can now be built up. Various items of body work, including a bulkhead which Roy has reduced in height by about 2½ inches are already being prepared, so hopefully the project will soon start to look car-like. Whether or not the body will feature go-faster stripes once it is complete is anyone’s guess, but with a low profile 2 seater body and the additional horsepower from the Alta ohv head conversion, it ought to leave most Morris Eights well behind on the road. Pictured below are two photos taken about 10 minutes apart just before and after the engine installation; they would be ideal for a spot the difference competition.

37 2: Restore that? It will be a piece of CaKE! Steve Knight, having heard in the spring of last year of a M8 tourer which had been slowly rotting away in a garage in Timsbury, since it had been laid up in 1955, he decided to do the only decent thing he could. So in May 2016 and in order to save the car from a potential final journey to the scrap yard, Steve rescued his “barn find”, 1935 M8 tourer CKE 625. Having bought the car, the newly built sun terrace behind his garage mysteriously, and somewhat speedily metamorphosed, into nicely carpeted and soft furnished garage extension in which to store it. Not that the car rested there for very long as only a couple of weeks later Steve was kind enough to extract the car and trailer it to the Bristol Classic Car Show, so that it could feature on the Morris Register stand. Don’t be confused by the Series 2 radiator cowl, the car is a fairly early Series 1 model and Steve has already acquired the correct cowling. Now having purchased a scrap yard condition for the very purpose of saving it from the scrap yard, what on earth do you do with it? Well you could admire it as a quirky exhibit or bite the bullet and opt to restore it. Given the condition of the car, it was clearly going to be a nut and bolt restoration job, so from the late summer onwards, Steve started to pull the car apart and began to acquire replacements for some of the many parts that were either missing or beyond economical repair. By Christmas, everything that could come off the chassis was off and Steve then started on what undoubtedly will be a long project to put it all back together again. The body tub can be seen neatly piled up in the back right hand side of the garage extension. How many of the body panels and sections of timber frame are re- usable has yet to be assessed. The chassis had suffered considerable damage before the car was laid up in 1955. Having removed the repair work, straightened the chassis and inserted a proper repair, Steve now has a good chassis from which to build up the car. He has already rebuilt and installed the rear axle and springs. The front axle and refurbished track rod is ready to be fitted once front springs are sorted. It will be interesting to report again as the project progresses.

THE TONY HALE MEMORIAL TROPHY n the autumn of 2016, Sarah and Sharon, daughters of the late Tony IHale, presented a trophy in Tony’s memory to the West Region of the Morris Register. The West Region Committee determined that the trophy would be awarded annually, at the AGM, to a West Region member who had made an outstanding contribution to any aspect(s) of club activity during the past year. The committee considered a number of worthy nominations at its February meeting, and agreed unanimously that the award should go to Roy Bowden, Nailsea, in recognition of the unstinting advice and help he has given to many members over the course of the year as they have tackled various restoration and maintenance issues with their Morrises. Pictured right: Roy Bowden, the first recipient of the Tony Hale Memorial Trophy receives the award from West Region Chairman Anne Riglar. Invitations for nominations for next year will be announced in Morris Monthly in October 2017, with a reminder in the January 2018 issue. Nominations must be with the West Region Secretary by the end of January.

DIG FOR VICTORY SHOW, 10th/1th JUNE t North Somerset Showground, Wraxall, nr Bristol BS48 1NE 10th/11th June 2017. Entry can either be made online Athrough the show website: http://www.digforvictoryshow.com/get-involved/vehicles or by downloading and printing off a form from the same website address (don’t worry about the 31st March 2017 closing date on the entry form as later entries will be accepted!) If you don’t have website access, then Morris Register Spares Officers, Lindsay and David Smith, who participate in the show, should be able to assist. They can be contacted at [email protected] or 01275 371 717. 38 NOGGINS ver the past year West Region Committee initiatives to re-invigorate noggins and boost attendance have met with Osome success. However there is still a lack of noggin coverage across large swathes of the region. If you live in Cornwall, Gloucestershire, Isle of Wight, South Dorset, North Devon or the South Hams area of Devon and would like a “local” noggin, why not start one up? The West Region Committee would be happy to provide advice, guidance and if required “start-up” support. Our current monthly noggins are:

JERSEY Les Fontaines Tavern, La Route du Nord, St. John, JE3 4AJ 1st SUNDAY 11.30am – 1.00pm Organised by the Jersey Old Motor Club

HAMPSHIRE (Solent) Queens Head, Fishers Pond, Portsmouth Road, Eastleigh, SO50 7HF 1st MONDAY 7.30pm start Joint noggin with the British Made Car Club – Hampshire group.

EAST & SOUTH DEVON The Halfway Inn, Sidmouth Rd, Aylesbeare, Exeter EX5 2JP 1st THURSDAY 7.00pm start (on the A3052 Exeter-Sidmouth road/B3180 cross roads)

SOMERSET The Highwayman Inn, Cannards Grave Road, Shepton Mallet, BA4 4LY (just off the A37 2nd TUESDAY 7.00pm onwards on the southern edge of Shepton Mallet).

JERSEY The Farm House Bar & Restaurant, La Route du Nord, St. John, JE3 8AJ 3rd SUNDAY 11.30am – 1.00pm Organised by the Jersey Old Motor Club

HAMPSHIRE (New Forest) The Royal Oak, Ringwood Road, North Gorley, Fordingbridge, Hampshire SP6 2PB 3rd TUESDAY 7.00pm onwards

NORTH WILTSHIRE Prince of Wales, Old Malmesbury Road, Royal Wootton Basset, SN4 7HT 3rd WEDNESDAY (evening) (Adjacent to Coped Hall roundabout - A3102/B4042).

NORTH EAST WILTS The Roebuck, Bath Rd, Froxfield, Marlborough, Wiltshire, SN8 3JY 4th WEDNESDAY (noon-2pm) (on the A4 between Marlborough and Hungerford)

WEST REGION EVENTS 1-5/8 May: Hereford 4-7 nights break at Warner’s Holme Lacy Hotel. Sponsor Anne Riglar 01225 754 981 or [email protected] 13/14 May: Hants: Spring Autojumble - Beaulieu / MMOC Moggy Fest 14 May: Cornwall: Bude Motor Club Classic Car Show from 10am at Bude Rugby Club – exhibits in place by 9.30am Web: http://budemotorclub.weebly.com/bude-motor-classic.html, 01288 354 616 or [email protected] 27-29 May: Wiltshire: Selwood Steam & Vintage Rally Southwick Nr Trowbridge Wiltshire http://www.selwoodvintage.co.uk/ 28 May: Devon: Pecorama Vintage and Classic Vehicle Rally Pecorama, Beer Devon Contact: Joseph Rogers [email protected] 28 May: Hants: Wessex Car Show, Breamore House, nr Fordingbridge, Hampshire (in aid of the D&S Air Ambulance) Contact Bob Flint tel: 07502 293 110 or [email protected] 29 May: Dorset: Sherborne Castle Country Fair, Sherborne, Dorset http://www.sherbornecastle.com/events/ 10/11 June: Somerset: Dig For Victory Show - North Somerset Showground, Bathing Pond Fields, Wraxall, BS48 1NE. Contact: Dave & Lindsay Smith 01275 371 717 or [email protected] 17/18 June: Somerset: 38th Bristol Classic Car Show at Royal Bath and West Showground, Shepton Mallet Morris Register will have a stand for 4 cars. Contact Jim Riglar, 01225 754 981 or [email protected] for details 29 June: Somerset: West Region – East Mendips (Route details yet to be advised) Contact Jeremy Matthews 01458 445 175 or [email protected] 1 July: Somerset: Blackmore Vale Revival, Henstridge. Organised by Blackmore Vale Lions in aid of the D&S Air Ambulance. Contact John Graham 01963 36063 or [email protected]

39 Member’s Morris Lost Love: Isis ATU 422 Pete Newton

aven’t we all in the past had a car which has Hattached itself to our heart strings? Maybe a perfect condition two seater sports, a go-anywhere thrashed Mini or an old passed down classic of its time. You now have that picture in your mind and some of you are lucky enough to have the car in your garage. This is the story of the lost loves of such a car. January 1934 in Cheshire ATU 422 Morris Isis, black over dark red, was born. It spent five plus happy years on the road, then when war broke out in 1939 and petrol was rationed, it is believed it may have been put to the back of a garage. After the war ATU 422 must have been brought back into commission for some years. ATU 422 must have made its way to Pulvers garage owned by a Mr Howarth who had secured the Morris agency. ATU 422 was in 1960 swapped for a Morris Marina plus £50. It was then a Mrs Dabinett bought her husband a birthday present (wish all car crazy men’s wives would do this!) of a very sad ATU 422 which had a seized engine and the usual bits wrong, knowing that her husband was an enthusiastic mechanic she presented him with the car and the work on his 21st birthday. The car was taken to Foxdenton Hall Farm and the plugs taken out and cylinders filled with diesel and left for two weeks. After this time he connected a very large battery and persisted in trying to get it moving… eventually it fired up but this resulted in the conclusion that the engine was very sick. Mr Dabinett stripped down the engine, re-bored it and restored the head. It all went back in the car and with a few other repairs went through the MoT. Mr Dabinett used the car as his everyday transport for some years having only to replace a drive shaft and a few minor repairs. He was a farm worker at Foxdenton Hall Farm and part time mechanic. In the 1970s, the owner of the farm sold some land to Harrison & Jones and Mr Dabinett thought he would cash in on the money the farmer received so sold ATU 422 to the excited Mr Blakeman, thinking he would restore the bodywork. Alas ATU422 sat in a barn for some years. This is now the second time ATU 422 was so close to the scrap yard. Enter Frank Elswood (desperate hunter for ATU 422). Mr Blakeman showed Frank the sad old car which sat in the barn at the back of the farm. His eyes lit up and it was not long before fresh petrol was put in, tyres blown up and a few tweaks here and there and it burst into life after a few turns of the handle. Mr Blakemore was not interested in the car and the garage had started to leak and the car was quickly deteriorating, Frank Elswood had a big falling out with Mr Blakeman and in the early 1980s Mr Blakeman said Frank could start restoring the car. Frank, now with ATU422 and a budget of zero, took the wings, bonnet and radiator off and was repairing them when time allowed at work. On returning to the farm one day he was told the car had been sold. ”What”! Frank once again did not speak to Mr Blakemore for three years. (I think I would have removed Mr Blakemore from the equation!) Mr Blakemore then wanted far too much money for the car which Frank could not afford so ATU 422 was sold to a Mr Waterhouse. Frank contacted Mr Waterhouse and decided that the car should have its original parts so drove over and gave him the

Top: ATU 422 in 1960 Bottom L: Paul Dabinett some years ago, restoring an old air raid siren Bottom R: ATU 422 in 1960 40 wings, radiator and bonnet for which he was delighted. Mr Waterhouse totally stripped ATU 422, shot blasted the chassis and re-painted it. All components were like new when it was re- assembled but not at all finished. Now what happens next is a real twist of fate against ATU 422 because Mr Waterhouse’s workshop was in his work premises and when another company bought Mr Waterhouse out, poor old ATU 422 was banished outside with a flimsy cover in a garden. (Could this be a possibility of a scrapheap destination?) Mr Waterhouse decided at this point he should sell ATU 422 and another keen person came along and took the car. ATU 422 sat forlorn for 13 years with only promises to be completed. It then turned out that the guy (sorry no names as have not asked permission) sold it into auction! Frank Elswood was now at a total loss to try and find his beloved ATU422 and this is where Frank, ATU 422, the Morris Register Forum and I come into the tangled story. The other week I put a request for a Morris Isis wheel and after a few days I had a reply saying he might know where there is one along with the rest of the car! A long conversation later it appeared I needed to find the car somewhere first. Then I saw a forum request for the whereabouts of a Morris Isis ATU 422, I contacted a friend of mine who is a fanatical fan of the Isis who also has many bit and pieces. When I asked if he had seen or knew of the above mentioned car he paused for a while and said “Yes, it is mine”! My friend has a beautiful one which is totally restored and ATU 422 which I saw a month ago is sitting in the garage undergoing body work and well on the way to full restoration. I have put Frank and my friend in contact and Frank said to me, “it has made my year”. Frank in the meantime bought a Morris Isis the same year, etc., and has taken it to France, but would dearly like to buy ATU 422 off my friend, which is possible if there was a swap. He then wants to drive it down to his dear friend Mr Paul Dabinett who is not a well man but has for years wanted to see ATU 422 again. The latest development has been that my friend who owns ATU 422 has been to see Frank and his Isis and there has been a provisional agreement for Frank’s Isis and ATU 422 to change hands. Frank is so pleased and will be going to see my friend's “body/tin” man in a few weeks’ time. All could be on course for Frank to have his beloved ATU 422 up and running en-route for France to show it to Paul Dabinnett who spent many hours rebuilding it years ago. With thanks to Mr Frank Elswood. Maybe there will be more history in future and let's hope for a story and trip through France with ATU 422. Pete & Lady “M”

Top/middle: ATU under restoration Bottom: Pete's Eight (Lady "M") with Austin 7 trailer, setting of to collect wood

41 FROM HORSE TO HORSEPOWER By S A Cheney Publisher: Rigby (1965) ASIN: B001OLC9GW Occasionally available on Amazon or eBay. r Cheney was born in 1883 and grew up with the Australian motor industry - the Mearly chapters of his book provide an interesting insight into motoring conditions at the beginning of this century. Mr Cheney virtually launched the motor industry in South Australia, as that State's first car salesman, joining a firm called Fraser and Duncan in 1903 to sell Oldsmobiles from an illustrated catalogue, for £2 per week. In 1926, General Motors decided to start operations in Australia, a decision that had a major impact on Mr Cheney's business as he was the agent/distributor of Chevrolet cars in Australia. More importantly, he had been responsible for the setting up in Australia of Holden's motor body building business some years previously, and GM's entry into the Australian market meant that Holden's bodybuilding and assembly operation was at risk. Mr Cheney cast around for an alternative agency and being fiercely pro-British, thought that he should help the British motor industry by promoting and distributing British cars in Australia. At that time, only 4% of British cars were imported into Australia, and Britain itself was still in financial trouble as the country sought to recover from the First World War. Cheney became the agent for Morris and Austin cars and trucks, buying out the Morris agents at that time - McOwan's in Victoria, Franklin Motor Company (SA) and Williams Brothers (NSW). On the same day as GM announced the commencement of their operation in Australia, Cheney placed equally prominent advertisements in the newspapers announcing that his company was “Swinging the pendulum from Uncle Sam to John Bull”. His first order was for 10,000 Austins and Morrises. It is obvious from his writing that Mr Cheney had a strong and genuine belief in the need to support Britain in their time of need. He also believed that British products were quality products, a belief that was soon shaken quite severely. He wrote: "There was never any serious trouble with the Austin products, which were always satisfactory, but the same, unfortunately, could not be said of the Morris vehicles of that period, particularly the trucks. In contrast with the reliable and highly popular Morris cars of today, those sent out to me in the late 1920s were not a credit to their makers. This was unfortunate for the business in Morris products was most promising. Sales of Morris cars in my territory had jumped in four weeks from 140 a month to nearly 1,000 and they continued at that rate for a long time. Then disquieting reports began to come to me. A Morris truck frame had broken, then a front axle; it became a daily matter dealing with broken frames and broken front axles of trucks. Then other troubles, plenty of them. Truck frames were broken in two places, three places and sometimes even more. Inside the first three months nearly every Morris truck in Victoria had a broken frame, and in the same period we had no fewer than 150 broken stub axles on Morris trucks in Victoria alone. My service department dealt with these matters as best they could. We patched up frames here, patched them up there; we fitted new axles, special ones we had forged locally, but it was obvious that we could not continue selling Morris trucks or offering them for sale. At this time, Morris Motors changed their car design from the old bullnosed, or rounded radiator to a square one, and called it "The World Model." They also experimented with a special alloy piston, and we immediately found Morris engines seizing up all over the place, holding up the users and causing serious damage. We were nearly frantic. Out of the first 2,000 Morris cars we delivered we had to fit new pistons to more than 250 in Victoria alone - and at our own expense." The book also describes problems with the passenger model's rear axle. "The Morris cars were fitted with shackles to both ends of the rear springs, so that in crossing a spoon drain or gutter obliquely, the rear axle, which was firmly fixed to the gearbox by the propeller shaft housing, could be twisted out of line and if heavily loaded, frequently bent the rear axle housing. Of course, it took time to find this out, but when we discovered it, we had special brackets made to anchor the front end of the rear springs to the frame, which was done on the assembly line from then on. I remember we sold twenty-seven Morris Cowleys to the Police Department in Sydney and with four big policemen on board, their rear axle housing was always getting bent." (Forty years on, quite a few police were too!) Mr Cheney records that these and other faults, including electrical, made him realise that drastic action was required if his business were to survive. The problems could not be dealt with by correspondence so in 1928 he went to England to deal with the situation. William Morris listened to Cheney's account of the problems but had trouble in understanding the seriousness of them - after all, his cars and trucks were selling well elsewhere, and giving good service, so why not in Australia? Besides, there had been no problems with cars exported to Australia before Cheney had taken over the agency. An advert by SA Cheney Motors Cheney was treated politely enough but found that nobody in the plant was really for the new Flatnose Morris, interested in sorting out the problems - eventually he forced the issue with Morris which they were marketing as the and his executives and was astonished to learn that nobody had been to Australia, “New World Morris” and therefore had no idea of the atrocious roads there at that time. He insisted that [Morris Register collection] William Morris come to Australia to see for himself, and only persuaded him to do so 42 by threatening to relinquish the agency there and then - Morris relented, and, with some of his senior executives, arrived in Sydney on 14th February 1928. Even then, the Morris party seemed to be more intent on publicity than on the real reason for the trip - on the third day, William Morris even held a press conference whilst having his bath, at 6.30 am! Eventually the party set off on a tour of NSW and Victoria in three cars - a special 16 hp car which apparently never went into production*, a Morris Oxford and a Cowley. The Cowley actually failed This is the actual shilling to complete the tour, suffering a twisted rear axle that was given to Mr housing and a broken axle on one of the better roads Cheney by William Morris; over which the group travelled. it is now owned by Mr After the tour, Morris agreed that something needed Cheney’s grandson David Cheney meets Morris to be done. He remained determined to capture the [Photo: Neil Wakeman] Australian market, and promised Cheney that he would "make it his business to see that you get back every bob that you have lost. He then took a shilling from his pocket, and handed it to me “Here is a pledge of my word on that” Morris said. Cheney says that the promise was impulsively made and forgotten: it was never mentioned again. But Morris obviously was genuine about solving the problems - soon after his return to England, the company designed new truck frames, new pump and fan assemblies and other improvements and sent enough parts, free of charge, to fix up all the trucks exported to Australia. Another source (“Wheels in Victoria 1824 - 1984”) claims that it was as a result of this visit that Morris launched its “World Model” series which was well received by the motoring public. Mr Cheney's book provides many other interesting insights into the personality of William Morris, and the development of the Australian motor industry - although I had previously known a little about Cheney and his businesses, I did not realise the extent of his influence on the motor industry in Australia. A great read, which I can heartily recommend. Neil Wakeman *The “special 16 hp car which apparently never went into production” was, according to Harry Edwards’ notes, almost certainly an “Empire Oxford”, which did, of course, go into production. However, the majority of those sent to Australia were returned to Cowley unsold.

1934 10/4 Pre Series What’s it Worth?

urrently on eBay, where the vendor states: C"Lots of work done to date and to a good standard. The renewed woodwork is oak. There are a few bits to go with it, including a complete new set of seats. The engine was rebuilt many years ago with white metal bearings. It is presently filled with oil to the brim for preservation. Previous owner has given me many photos of the restoration whilst in progress. It just needs finishing." Answer on Page 47

43 Living with a Petrol Head Elizabeth Jameson couple of months ago my beloved decided that we needed a new television so a smart new tv duly arrived. A Unfortunately this one doesn't have the usual comedy, drama, documentary channels, every time I go to join his Lordship there is always Tom, Dick or Harry in a garage, mending, restoring, showing cars. Now I know cars are his hobby but this is ridiculous. When I am compelled to watch these programmes the gent always has clean clothes and clean hands! Where is my husband going wrong? He is the only man I know who can get oil or paint all over himself BEFORE he has taken the lid off. I don't know much about cars or how they work but my beloved made sure that I knew how to put petrol in and how to pay for it. I run my car on a full tank where as he runs his on the red, he is quite happy for me to borrow any of his cars, we now have eight! I know that they need a drink of water and oil now and then but that is his job, not only that it is cheaper than the petrol or diesel If there are six nuts to come off, on the tv they come off in 2 seconds, whereas when we were restoring our Morris 10/4 and we had to remove six nuts, five come off easily but the 6th refuses to move and has to be cut off with a big blue cloud above the garage and the neighbours threatening to move because of the language. The last car that we acquired looked quite a good car until "him in the garage" started to strip it down, only to find that the previous owner must have had shares in a filler factory, tissue paper would have been stronger. Somebody once said that rust was weak, well not the sort that invades our cars, have you ever tried to separate a rusty nut and bolt. I still fall for the invitation to go into the garage only to find that I am expected to lift an engine or put the body onto the chassis, I am now 50 years older than when we met and time has not been kind to my joints but my beloved thinks that as knees and hips are now made of metal I should be able to lift anything. The men on tv never make a mistake, but if there is a right or a wrong way to do something,we always get it wrong. The first time I was told that you should measure twice just to make sure but my garage man can measure 100 times and still be wrong. I think his tape measure is at fault. I wouldn't change my oily mucky fellow although how can anyone get more dirt on the sink and towel AFTER he has washed is a mystery.

MR DVLA OFFICER Registration Revivals Tom Bourne

arlier in this issue we looked at the need to make sure that the information in the V5C registration documents is Eaccurate, and the possible problems that can follow if the V5C is lost. Members are also encouraged to make sure that they get the V5C when buying a car, and that it is correct in all detail. DDF 303, a 1939 Morris 8 Series E tourer, owner Russell Groom ussell Groom recently inherited this lovely Morris 8 from his father, and immediately set about getting the car Rregistered in his name. However, the V5C registration document could not be found, and on seeking a replacement from DVLA, Russell was told that due to a discrepancy in the information he provided he would not be able to keep the original number. The chassis number on the car differed from the number the DVLA held on their records. Eventually we were able to find out the number on the DVLA records - a figure 9 had been written as a 7, and a 3 as a 5. This error had gone unnoticed for many years. There was no other document that would positively link the registration number to the chassis number, and the DVLA will not accept an argument based on probability. For example, in this case, the difference between the DVLA record of the chassis number and the actual is almost certainly down to clerical error, probably when the records were being computerised in the 1980s. The car details were not recorded on the club’s Vehicle Register, and there was no other way to prove the linkage between the chassis number and the registration number. A final possible solution was to disprove the DVLA record, and the answer lay with the British Motor Museum, who hold the archives of the Morris factory production records. They confirmed that chassis number SE/E 6893 was indeed a Series E with tourer bodywork produced for the home market in February 1939. The Registration Number DDF 303 was issued in February 1939 by Gloucestershire County Council. However, chassis number SE/E 6875, which the DVLA records indicate for this car, was also manufactured in February 1939, but was a rolling chassis for the export market. This chassis number could not possibly therefore be correct for DDF 303, and therefore we pointed out to the DVLA that their record must be wrong. The DVLA accepted this argument and agreed to re-issue the original registration number. Russell was delighted with this result. “The car has been with our family for so many years,” he said, “it would not have been the same car to us without the registration number we have known so well.” He went on to say: “Since I inherited the car from my father it has given me many pleasurable hours restoring the car and has brought us back many fond memories. It has been great to see how much interest the car has generated whilst driving around.” 44 Letters to the Editor Morris Mail DOCUMENTS SOUGHT Dear Editor have been for many years a member of The Morris Register. I purchased my Morris Minor, reg no DG 3005, in 1956 and II still own it and frequent local shows with it. I participated in the 1976 London to Brighton Run in my Minor from Bedford to London and then on to Brighton with no problems. I have many good memories of the very nice cars and people on the day. We left Bedford at 5.30 am, arrived at, I think, Clapham Common about 7.15 am. We were one of the early starters and I cannot remember what time we arrived in Brighton but we had a very nice time. With the return journey home it was a very long day. I am writing to you to ask, if available, I can obtain and at what cost, copies of the Dated Car Passes and Information Sheets as I have mislaid my copies. Please could you let me know if this is possible. Alan Filby Thanks, Alan. It is good to hear from a long standing member. I am afraid I have no knowledge of 03060/1 the items you are seeking, so I will throw your query out to the membership. I am sure someone can Beds assist and if necessary we can scan the originals to get you copies, at least.

OPEN THE FLOODGATES? Dear Editor enjoyed Cyril’s article on his Morris 9 - great little cars, still very usable today. Does Ithis mean my car (pictured) is eligible for membership of the Morris Register as well as my Bullnose? Paul Thompson 13023/3 Nice try, Paul, but in the interest of good relations with our sister Gloucestershire clubs for MGs, I think we had better turn down your suggestion!

DearCHEVY Editor TIES RODS? he picture of the Chevy on page 20 of the March magazine shows the pushrods. I had a 1920 ohv model and it had Tleather washers in the cups on top of the pushrods to hold oil and lubricate the balls on the ends of the rocker arms. Brian Moorcroft 11967/7 Thanks for this interesting detail, Brian. I was wondering what those long metal parts Lancs. were up to. The caption, I think, was referring to the leather straps in the foreground.

45 LONDON TO BRIGHTON MEMORIES Dear Editor thought members might like to see these photographs which were taken on the ILondon to Brighton Run in 1966, when it started in central London. I wonder if any of these cars are still around and owned by Register members? My Eight Series E tourer can be seen in the Morris line-up - it is still in use around Devon! Notice how empty the roads of central London were then! Thanks for Morris Monthly, which gets better and better each month. I particularly liked the MR Trip to Malta articles as I lived there from 1968 t0 1970 when there were many Morrises on the road. Sadly, I had to leave my E tourer in storage in the UK. Martin Stephens-Hodge Devon 00589/3 Many thanks for these glimpses of a bygone era of Register motoring. Sadly neither FPL 196 nor MU 7149 seem to be with us any more, according the DVLA records, although Minor VX 4590 and owner Ken Martin, very much are! Eight AOR 367 currently resides close you in Devon, in the custody of member Richard Mayer. I hope he spots his car here!

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 Car for Sale Bullnose Cowley 4/5 seater tourer 1932 Morris Major 1929 Morris Minor four seat tourer

Fully restored to a high specification. MoT and full Built 29/3/1926. A lot of history and an amazing service to February 2018. Five new tyres. Good body, engine, gearbox, back axle. Bills and patina. Found by previous owner in London having £13,000. Many extras are available. some history, plus spares. Not used for some time, survived in bomb damaged garage. Not your over- David Keeves might need petrol changing. £7500 ono. restored shining example, just a lovely old car 01908 542 870 (South Northants area) Jim Sapsted showing signs of its 91 years. £17950 buys you this [email protected] 01273 857 455 time warp. Can deliver at cost price. (W.Sussex) Phil Robins Parts for Sale 01792 587 337 (Swansea) For Morris Eight Series E: 4 doors with glass, Car for Sale Bakelite for doors, side windows, plus glass for Car for Sale 1933 Morris 10 Pre Series saloon rear windows. 1936 Morris 8 Series 1 saloon Restored, on the road. £8000 or pay me £300 per Peter Hale (Suffolk) Excellently restored, on the road. £7000 or pay month until it is yours. 07799 883 627 or 01842 861 025 me £300 per month until it is yours. 07581 715 557 (Wilts) [email protected] 07581 715 557 (Wilts) Acceptance of advertisements in Morris Monthly does not imply recommendation of advertisers or their products or services by the Morris 46 Register. When purchasing cars or spare parts from private sellers, purchasers must satisfy themselves as to the condition and value. Car for Sale Car for Sale Car for Sale 1935 Morris 10/4 1933 model Minor saloon 1930 Cowley 2 seater with dickey

Enhanced with coachbuilt conversion to Open Tourer, in very nice order. It has done few miles since a non mandatory MoT which it passed with no advisories. A history file shows MoTs going back to 1979, old photos, wiring diagrams, receipts and manual. A bit of a wolf in sheep's clothing having Runs well. Not concourse but a pretty car in three been uprated by the fitting of a 1960's 1622cc colours: black, brown and fawn. Original tools and BMC engine and a Dynalyte alternator to improve driver's manual. Present owner 30 years – illness reliability and make it more suitable for modern forces sale. £12300. day motoring. Photo shows car on its annual trip Older restoration but recent work includes new Ivor Schraibman (Cheshire) delivering Santa to the local church grotto. Offers tyres. Engine completely rebuilt by Cox and [email protected] around £6750. Turner at great expense including new white Car for Sale Dan Gregory 0777 449 8817 (West Mids) metalling. Hydraulic brakes fitted complete with 1934 lwb Minor chassis. Engine minus head, body [email protected] new pipes, master cylinder and overhauled wheel in bits, front section and front doors rebuilt with NOTE new phone no, email address cylinders/brake shoes. 4 speed gearbox, springs new ash, Firewall and scuttle with vin plate reforged, new shock absorbers, stainless steel Parts for Sale matching engine and V5c bearing transferable fuel tank and exhaust, rebuilt dynamo/cutout For Morris 8 hp: 6 Stud rear hub 3 cut off, £10. reg No.OY 7539 (valued at £1600), 5 rear doors and starter, rewired. Original registration number Complete metal frame radiator assembly requires unrestored, rear body, remains of sliding roof, (YD 2017) and original engine, old log book. OIRO new core, £25. Radiator cap, £5. Opening steel rear footwell, floorboards, mahogany trims, £7,500. windscreen complete with opening retaining window regulators, windscreen surround, rear Toby Sears slides, very good condition, ring for sizes, £45. wheel arches and repaired rear mudguards, 01590 644 269 (Hants) Morris 8 carburettor, £35. Grease gun as in Dec 15 fibreglass front mudguards with supports, bonnet, [email protected] magazine part no 35695, £20. Voltage regulator, new B posts and lots of other new sections in ash, probably all the bits required. Photos available. £35. 2 dash light chrome covers, £7 each. Wiper Parts Wanted motor, £30. Motor Trader Sheet Service data No 2, £1300. Pair of front side lights for Morris 8 Series 1 or 2, Toby Sears £2. Pitmans Book of Morris 8 and Minor 1947, £5. good condition or reparable. Book of the Morris 10hp, £5. Book of the Wolseley 01590 644 269 (Hants) Russ Farnell [email protected] 1946 to 1961, £5. Morris Motors Operation Manual 07519 930 318 (W.Yorks) Parts Wanted for the 1948 Morris 8hp Series E, £10. Morris [email protected] Register Morris 8 Series 1-2-E & Z Information A triple lift jack, Morris part no 40212 or 40919, Manual, £5. All in very good condition. Engine Parts for Sale or similar heavy duty jack as used on Morris parts. Oil pump, £10. Fan blades, £5. Dynamo Morris overhead valve rebuilt engine and gearbox. Commercial vehicles. This will complete the tool bracket, £4. As fitted to a 1932 Family Eight. Serial number: kit for my 1934 Morris 25. If this is too heavy to Various other parts for sale, ring for details. 11434A. £1,800 ono. post I will gladly pick it up from you, distance no All items plus carriage or collect. Nick Seymour problem. Alan Filby 01403 891 647 (W.Sussex) Mick Roberts 07976 353 953 (Beds) [email protected] 07961 311 979 (London E18) [email protected] Parts Wanted Parts for Sale Parts Wanted Chassis for 1927 Flatnose Morris Prop shaft and Hardy couplings for Morris Family For 1936 Morris 8 tourer: front and rear shock Bill Giles 8 (probably 1932) overall length 48½" (centre) absorbers. Must be in good usable condition. 01869 350 000 (Oxon) Sensible offers please. Doug Johnson [email protected] Nicolas Bowater 01296 661 790 (Beds) 07774 196 526 (Devon) [email protected] Parts Wanted For Flatnose Morris: Radiator calormeter or any DAVID MOLYNEUX Morris parts that can be used to construct an assembly. Some miserable low life stole mine. MORRIS PISTONS Peter Avis Car Spares 07921 864 042 for all models [email protected] New and used Parts for Sale Morris 8 and Series E spares available Two Morris 1000 14" wheels, one with very good used parts supplied tyre, £15. Factory made towbar, very sturdy, 39½" centres bolt holes. Room for redrilling. With boot Enquiries welcome floor brackets and tow, £10. Buyer collects. Job lots of M8 and E Laurie McGahan parts bought Happy to assist 01275 878 343 (N.Somerset) Parts for Sale For Pre-War Minor Parts: 1x 4 speed gearbox, M8 and E abandoned For more information, 1x crown wheel & pinion (8/43), 1x camshaft, projects/complete cars 1x camshaft rear bearing, 1x spiral crankshaft contact oil pump drive gear, 1x manifold, 3 unused bought for breaking graham440@ pistons std). 1 set of pistons (+40s), 1x oil filter, 2x halfshafts, 1x first/reverse sliding 01229 584 972 or btinternet.com gear (three speed), 1x front axle, 1x rear axle or case, 1x 19" wheel, 1x 18" wheel, for re- 07715 059 280 or conditioning, 1x clutch cover, 1x brake cross [email protected] 07506 309 281 shaft, 4x road springs. Brian Shufflebotham 01782 515 802 (Staffs) What’s it Worth? (See p45): asking price is £3750 47 Please submit pictures Foto Finish of interest to the Editor COL'S CAMBOOYA COLLECTION: PART THREE And still they keep coming...

1929 Morris Cowley Swapped the 1931 Vauxhall Boat 1929 Morris Empire Oxford for this car to help straighten out my This car used to belong to a Real collection a bit. Estate Agent at Manly in Brisbane, 1929 Morris Minor OHC changing hands a few times before Ex Brian Jeffery, Coffs Harbour. going to the Cooling’s. I had admired Same body builder as the Y series “The Lady” at several Morris Rallies Minor shown in Part Two last month. and mentioned that I was interested Modified with hydraulic brakes. if the previious owner ever wanted to sell it. Unfortunately, the bonnet flew up on their Modern Oxford, travelling back from Adelaide, giving them both a scare, so they then offered me the Empire. It is fitted with a Harley body, and probably the only one in existence. 1932 Morris Cowley Holden Bodied Tourer This car left the factory in June, 1932. and was exported to Australia as a rolling chassis. I purchased it from Paul Smith, Toowoomba. 1930 Morris Isis Surprisingly, this car was advertised I was looking for a spare block to in the local paper. Paul had the suit my MG 18/80 when I came car for many years, but preferred across this complete car, plus a spare Holdens. It is a fairly rare, 1932 engine. It was in Western Australia, model, with round mudguards. At but had originally come from a present no 1932 Morris Cowleys are doctor in Sydney. It is too good to registered in Australia, according to 1930 Morris Major club records. Ex New Zealand. Arrived in Brisbane pull apart for spares, so will join by ship on the 18th February, 2013, the list to be restored. The body is when I then picked it up from manufactured by Budd in America. Customs and moved it to our shed in Unfortunately it has a different engine Cambooya. block to that fitted into the MG 18/80.

1927 MG 14/28 Flatnose The flat radiator 14/28 had a combination Morris Oxford/MG Super Sports badge on the grille. Producing 28 bhp from the 11.9 hp motor. One of 12 MGs imported into Australia in 1927. This car has a LAP overhead valve conversion and a 1930 Morris Minor OHC Laystall crank, with a converted coil Ruskin bodied two door, four seater. ignition, rather than the magneto. I Previous owner bought it in 1964 am the fifth owner since this car was from a Brisbane jeweller for 250 new. Purchased from Sydney. pounds. It was last registered in 1958.

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