austin 1100 or morris 1000?

[DaveAspley]

Having spent the day working on a 1975 vw beetle instead of the usual modern tat, it has rekindled my mojo for a proper chrome bumper old car. I'm thinking 60's, Would love a 105e or Mk1 Cortina but OMG OSF tax has killed it. Not a mini though as they are just too expensive and too small. But maybe an 1100 or minor? Any thoughts?

 

Like this

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Morris-Minor-2-door-White-1970-Tax-MOT-October-/111296708885?pt=Automobiles_UK&hash=item19e9cd0115

 

I'd happily take on a Minor needing a bit of work but would have to go for a good solid 1100 as they seem to be uber complex to repair.

[dollywobbler]

I can't get excited about Minors. 1100 for me without question. Better ride, better handling and (perhaps most importantly) better brakes!

[mercrocker]

Minors are a lot easier to keep on  the road parts-wise and they both rot about the same in my experience.   However,  the 1100 is a more  pleasant ride.   The best Minor you can find will be a lot dearer than the best 1100 but a lot easier  to find in the first  place.   They are such different cars I do not know which one I would go for.   Probably the Minor just in practicality terms...

[lisbon_road]

1100 is a much more unusual car now, not the classic stereotype old car, and therefore much more suitable for this forum.  Lets face it, they rotted so much that they are proper shite cars.

 

Minors rot too but spares and panel availability is obviously better.  I must admit that my memories of rotten 1100s are so awful that I would prefer the Minor, but you could see what comes along.  Have you considered something else - the A40 was such a nicely styled car in my opinion and less popular?

[DeeJay]

I was going to say Ford Anglia, then I had a quick look on Ebay.

£850 for a rolling shell.

Forget that.

[Sudsprint]

I know Minors are worthy and very Fred Dibnah etc etc but I don't care for them much.

[catsinthewelder]

I haven't had too much trouble finding parts for our 1100 but bits they don't share with minis can be expensive.  They're fun to drive and practical enough for everyday use apart from the corrosion issue.

 

My MOT tester pointed out a small seam that he'd like fixed before the next test and it's been off the road for 18 months chasing the rot all round the thing.

[vulgalour]

1100 all the way for me.  Get an estate version for extra points.

[Asimo]

Minor is about as easy to care for as it gets if you avoid those awful half-timbered things. And very easy to find compared to anything in the 1100 family. Some people cannot stand the 1100 steering / ride however so a drive is essential.

 

Riley Kestrel for max points please. But not the VdP jobby.

[dollywobbler]

I love the VdP jobby! Early ones are properly lush. (and I mean the proper use of the word, not chav-speak)

[Mr Livered]

The Minor is a really nice car imo. It's a cute little design, nicely engineered and a proper twentieth century British automotive icon. It's simple to keep in good nick and parts availability is brilliant.

 

However it's just too much of a classic car cliché for me. For me personally, as an example, I wouldn't have one because in my small village there are already two Minors. There are no ADO16s.

 

I'm not completely certain, so correct me if I'm mistaken, but I've always believed that an Austin 1100 is technologically every bit as advanced as the Minor (I believe it has hydrolastic suspension?) and would probably be a much more sprightly drive without being significantly thirstier.

 

So another vote for the 1100 from me.

[richardthestag]

either would keep me happy, my sis had 3 moggies which I kept on the road for her.

 

fix them with a hammer, simple maintenance

 

my brother had an 1100, everything was as difficult to fix as a mini, just with slightly more room, horrendous rust issues, much comfier ride than a moggie and way better looking.

 

so, simple mechanics minor

or better ride, better looking 1100

[panhard65]

I would go for the A40 as simple as a minor and far nicer to look at. I had a fiat twin cam powered one and it was serious fun.

[mouseflakes]

Yep - ADO16 or A40 would be my choice. In fact - I keep looking longingly at both on ebay at the moment

[Squire_Dawson]

An 1100 without a doubt.

[NorfolkNWeigh]

Think of it as Frank Spencer vs Basil Fawlty

Or Roy Cropper vs Reginald Molehusband

 

Let's face it whichever you choose, it will instantly elevate your social standing and desire ability to the fairer sex.

[chris1991]

Not a popular suggestion on here but you say you've just worked on a Beetle, would a Beetle not fit the bill?

[HMC]

I owned and loved examples of both. Being autoshite I would expect ADO 16 to be given preference as its less obvious, but each passing year those crisp lines look better and better.

 

But for the Autobianchi Primula and a missing rear hatch it would be lauded as the original supermini.

[aldo135]

NO WAY M8 ALL OLD CARZ IZ SHIT GET A CORSA

 

Or what about a A35? Look very classic and simple to work on.

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[purplebargeken]

Moggie all the way. Makes sure you check the state of the metal underneath though. 

[The Reverend Bluejeans]

I had two of these, a 1970 1300 32 years ago and a 1966 Morris 1100 in 2005. They're great cars and easier to work on than a Mini. The 1300 is much better in terms of performance, and it has better brakes with the servo.

I like Minors too - saw a very dog eared late model Series 11 today (split screen, but the 1000 type slatted grille) and thought 'yes'. I never liked the A30/35 or the A40.

 

I also lust after the early Series type Minxes, particularly a 1957/8 model with the bigger grille and thre 1390 ohv donk.

 

Go find that crusty sock - here's some serious Minx porn:

 

http://www.oldparkedcars.com/2010/09/1957-hillman-minx-saloon-phase-viii.html

[Guest Breadvan72]

There's a Minor for sale on a forecourt at a place called Coastal MoT Centre in Sheringham, Norfolk.  The sign in the window just says "offers".

[Mr Livered]

Hey nice Minx, Rev - it's like mine but in good nick.

[Vince70]

Or could you go for a completely different make vehicle than a small BMC or Ford and go Vauxhall for extra shite points and get a HA.

 

Parts should still be available as the van variant was available up until 1983 as BT and the post office used them for fleet orders so Vauxhall kept making them...

[Taff]

I would go forthe 1100. I had an Austin 1275GT a few years ago, complete with sunken suspension. Way too much fun for £500

 

Minors are a bit , i don't know, cliche? Them and MGBs.

[STUNO]

This one ?......

 

http://www.trademe.co.nz/motors/used-cars/austin/auction-711845889.htm

 

 

Or any of these !!

 

http://www.trademe.co.nz/Browse/CategoryAttributeSearchResults.aspx?search=1&cid=268&sidebar=1&rptpath=1-268-&5=&14=Austin&15=&18=0&18=0&24=0&24=0&searchRegion=100&sidebarSearch_keypresses=0&sidebarSearch_suggested=0

 

 

[Justin Case]

Minor every time. It's a bit like an old building in that you can repair a bit of the structure at a time without the rest disintegrating about your ears, unlike an ADO16. Also it is easy to upgrade brakes, engine, suspension, seats, etc to make a car that is driveable on today's roads but still has that period charm

[STUNO]

Just saw this, almost new Doctor condition, but $10,000 (5000 pounds) plus the cost of the getting it home saga.

 

http://www.trademe.co.nz/motors/used-cars/morris/auction-708171338.htm

 

 

 

[Cavcraft]

I'd love either. Had three (I think) Morris 1000s and they're really as good to drive as a lot of people say. Parts are (mostly) a doddle too so a real bonus there.

I still have a massive want for an ADO16 though, so I'm going to vote you buy one of those instead.

[eddyramrod]

Possibly because my childhood didn't include family miles in either, I've never been able to get excited about Minors or 1100s.  I'd much rather have an A40 and in fact have done, twice.  I'd do it again too!  Small Vauxhall or Hillman would also be a good choice and slightly left-field while still being overtly British.  Have you considered an Allegro?