More-isses (one shiny, one not...)

[mercrocker]

Just because I have not mentioned them for a while here is a gratuitous Morris-in-the-sunshine shot.   They don't often get together.   Cowley has been out and about during the past couple of months, clocking up about 300 miles which is approximately the life remaining in its engine, I fear.....Never mind - drive 'em, break 'em, fix 'em and drive 'em again. 

 

 

 

[Cavcraft]

Old cars are massive.

[mercrocker]

And heavy...!  Only 100cc separated these when new.

[Squire_Dawson]

Two brothers!

[Cavcraft]

You know, I keep seeing Morris 100s about again recently (in fact on was outside my window earlier) and I keep regretting selling the ones I had. What sort of coin do you need to buy one that's half decent with a long MOT these days? 

[mercrocker]

Open book, really.....I should have thought 2 grand would be enough but I keep seeing them for more.   Trick is to find one that isn't busy decomposing under the paint.   Ones that have not been resprayed for about 20 years would be my choice.   There is something about new paint and latent rot that seem to sit well together.   Lacy wings and doors I would not worry about, but chassis legs, sills and floors are a bit of a money pit....

[DeeJay]

Somebody on RR has a couple with Fiat engine and running gear conversions. 

They look lovely and seemed a pretty easy conversion. 

[mercrocker]

Its a well trodden path so there is plenty of internet information about putting a twinny in.   Biggest problem might now be finding a decent lump.  Sierra gearboxes not so commonly found either now...Have idly contemplated the difficulty/stupidness of an MX5 lump but getting sidetracked financially into buying other slow and worn out Morrises....

[NorfolkNWeigh]

When I first saw the title I read it as one of these.

Were Isis' just Cowley/Oxford bodies with longer front wings to accomadate the 6 pot, or was there more to it ?

[mercrocker]

Isis also had steering boxes rather than rack and pinion as on the smaller cars but were basically the same otherwise.

[Squire_Dawson]

I've always thought the Isis to be a bit of an oddity. I think they must've sold them to people who didn't want the more flashy Westminster.

[mercrocker]

The big Morris was never a top seller for the company, it followed on from the MO based Six which was essentially a stripped out Wolseley 6/80.   Probably by the time BMC was formed it was felt necessary to continue to offer a 6 pot, as you say, as an alternative to the A90 Westminster.   I've fancied an Isis but fear it might lose the good handling that the smaller ones have, also as mine now has an albeit shagged 1622cc it will give good performance once sorted...

[dollywobbler]

Lovely. I like non-shiny. 

 

I've driven an Isis and don't remember it being awful in the handling department. This one was even on all-terrain tyres! An interesting way to fit rubber that's the correct size. Right-hand gearchange was fun. Felt a bit lighter than my A90 Westminster and slightly less scathing of corners.

[mercrocker]

Not tried an Isis yet but the handling on the Cowley is certainly one of the best of the 1950s cars I have had or driven.   The RH gearchange does appeal greatly but now the column shift is properly sorted on mine it has certainly made a huge difference to my enjoyment.   It was full of bent nails and god knows what linkages....I don't intend to paint this car any time soon, btw!