New Acquisition- Larkin would approve

[HMC]

I have ended up doing a bit of a swap with a local farmer. I gave him my quite rusty barn find A35 and my MGB GT (rusty on top but quite solid underneath) and in return I recieved this....

 

 

A 1954 Morris Oxford MO. I remember reading practical classics in the 90s with scribe Nick larkin enthusing over the 50s charms of these cars, but never envisaged owning one! After owning several minors, the supersize minor looks are strangely familiar. I had it delivered to my house whilst at a meeting, so this pic is all I've got to show you. It has a four on the collumn gearchange, bench seats, and a lethargic 1.5 sidevalve under the bonnet. The previous owner was old skool, ive yet to find any seat belts, and the car is on its original semaphores with no other additions! Sadly the car has had its original plate nicked i think, as its current number looks like one of the DVLA reregistration numbers. Having said that, its one of the best condition old cars I've had with the car having been bought dismantled, has been gone through stem to stern and rebuilt. Cant wait to go for a spin!

[Cheggers]

Nice - Looks like a "proper" old car. Moar pics pleeeez

[catsinthewelder]

Ace, can't wait to hear more

[HillmanImp]

That does look nice, although it is dark in the photo. Looking forward to seeing MOAR.

[HMC]

Well Ive just been out for a potter over the moors to get the hang of the column shift and take her for a spin. First impressions are again of the simplicity; Crossplies, no seatbelts, semaphores. I find myself being ultra alert to any other road users (mainly the odd sheep up there) modest cornering (even by morris minor standards) has the tyres screeching and the car lurching over. So you mentally readjust to a car released when most other people, if they had a car, drove something pre war. The car is in great shape, really clean and straight, particularly the body, which aside from a whiff of filler in the door bottoms is fantastic. Driving it is quite a soothing experience, though the side valve is tested by the flow of modern traffic, with less than 40bhp pulling a tonne of car. the rack and pinion steering means it feels suprisingly light and precise at the helm. The column change is quite fun, as are the crossplies at least in the dry. As I settled into its natural gate, I really enjoyed the huge charm of the thing. If it becomes a keeper my first port of call is sorting some seatbelts, then possibly the goodwood revival

 

[trigger]

Cor! Those black and white photos look fantastic!

[barrett]

That looks GR27!!

I'd be removing that luggage rack asap if it were mine though. I reckon you've come out WAY on top in this deal man...

[dollywobbler]

Beautiful photos and a lovely motor! Seatbelts are a tricky one. My Westy didn't have them and I learnt to live with it, even though the steering column was ready to destroy my chest in the event of a shunt. Makes you pay attention that's for sure! There are companies selling very nice, period-looking belts though. Don't know of any personally, but I've driven a few oldies with very smart belts with metal fastenings (none of this black plastic horribleness!).

 

Those wheels look absolutely tiny!

[Jack_Harpers_Teeth]

Wow look at that!

[Conrad D. Conelrad]

That is delightful. I love it.

 

There are companies selling very nice, period-looking belts though. Don't know of any personally, but I've driven a few oldies with very smart belts with metal fastenings (none of this black plastic horribleness!).

QuickFit have a very good reputation and make some very nice classic belts, but they're not cheap. They'll fit the modern plastic type too if you're budget conscious.

[Shep Shepherd]

Those B&W shots make the car look like it was photographed in 1956

[Wilko220]

That's lovely - top job. A rich man's Moggie!

[dollywobbler]

That's lovely - top job. A rich man's Moggie!

 

Nay. The rich man's Moggie was even bigger!

 

The exceedingly rare Morris Six. That really was pushing the Minor formula a bit far!

[Morgan84]

Get it well rust proofed and greased up and hopefully it will be a great little car which wont cost too much for many years to come

[eddyramrod]

That does look a sweetie! Top Shiting that man!

[vulgalour]

That's stunning, it looks factory fresh rather than over restored. That steering wheel is excellent too. Yet another bargain deal and a car that I can be jealous about.

[Pete-M]

That's cooler than polar bear testicles.

[michiel]

Excellent swappings, I love that. I'd love one.

 

Great photos as well, can you buy spectacles than make you see everything in b/w these days? Makes the world seem so much calmer.