Tell me about: Triumph Mayflower

[vulgalour]

Of course, pre-60 nonsense on these.  How could I forget?  No MoT does, I imagine, cause problems with some insurers when it comes to getting a decent quote, though I doubt it'll cost much at all to insure one of these.

[anonymous user]

When you get one can I have a go, I love awful cars. I remember one in a magazine article years ago (Hot Car or C&CC) that had been upgraded using TR running gear.

[mercrocker]

No MoT does, I imagine, cause problems with some insurers when it comes to getting a decent quote, 

 

Not proper ones it won't....Classic insurance should be around £75-120 depending upon personal circs.

[purplebargeken]

The A40. Sadly that is one car that I just don't click with in any way, shape or form. Yet I like the Mayflower. Go figure.

[danthecapriman]

I really like the Mayflower, I think they're a nice looking little car. Almost like big car styling with small car practicality! They are also nice to see nowadays as they aren't the obvious choice for a small classic, they're almost completely forgotten about.

I expect finding a decent solid but well worn/patinated (is that even a word?) car at all will be the biggest hurdle with these.

[wuvvum]

The A40 is a completely different kettle of fish to the Mayflower.  It's a far more modern design in every way, and in Series 2 form with the 1098cc engine and proper brakes is still perfectly useable as a daily.  The Mayflower is essentially a pre-war car and drives like one - I actually quite like the way they drive, in a masochistic sort of a way, and they're fine as a curiosity, but absolutely hopeless as a form of transport.

[purplebargeken]

Am more than happy with curiosity over form of transport

[Momentary Lapse Of Reason]

Mad Wife in the Attic had one in her lock-up when I first met her.

It was so rusty that it left her lock-up in lumps,

so no idea on driving qualities just have a good look for rust, everywhere.

[Tamworthbay]

The A40. Sadly that is one car that I just don't click with in any way, shape or form. Yet I like the Mayflower. Go figure.

Are we brothers but don't know it? I think the Mayflower is just so ugly it has become cool to my mind.

[AMC Rebel]

The A40. Sadly that is one car that I just don't click with in any way, shape or form. Yet I like the Mayflower. Go figure.

 

 

Are we brothers but don't know it? I think the Mayflower is just so ugly it has become cool to my mind.

 

Another Bro here.  A40 was a radical design at the time, but I've never liked it.  I can't rationalise what I like about the Mayflower or why - but there's something.

[KruJoe]

Mayflower is just so ugly it has become cool

 

Aye, that's a thing these days, apparently.

See also: Nissan Puke, etc.

[320touring]

I like them as there is a hint of FX4 in the front:)

 

If I had one though it'd need some more pep-maybe an old flathead v8 for noize

[wuvvum]

I think Herald engines can be made to slot in relatively easily.

[Uncle Jimmy]

Awful! Buy one now!

[Uncle Jimmy]

The 'razor edge' styling works on a car the size of the Renown, alas not on the Mayflower. The idea that the Mayflower would sell well in the USA ranks up there with the Austin Atlantic and Metropolitan.

[purplebargeken]

Bruv!

[vulgalour]

The idea that the Mayflower would sell well in the USA ranks up there with the Austin Atlantic and Metropolitan.

Now you're just listing cars from my Want List.

[DeeJay]

http://www.oldclassiccar.co.uk/forum/phpbb/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=17868&highlight=mayflower

[AMC Rebel]

 

This was at the car show.  It had a sign in the back saying it's for sale.  I felt a bit sorry for the owner - he sat inside the car for most of the day.  When he emerged, he looked as if he could have been the original owner.  He also looked as if he last changed his clothes and/or had anything to eat when the car was new (this was just my impression and I don't mean to be unpleasant).

 

He wants 6K for it according to the sign.

[anonymous user]

Just don't do this to it when you get one.

 

[Squire_Dawson]

That looks mint. I love the little enamel Triumph globes on the hubcaps. I have been looking through my books and can't  find any more than technical and stylistic details. Only 11 DHC versions were produced, apparently. As you have other modern cars to use I would say do it, can't be any worse than the 803cc MM I actually used daily for a few months. Utter wank but provided so much fun, especially in heavy rain and snow with the small, single speed wipers which slowed down with the lights and heater on. Definitely an experience with a ton of character in these really old cars.

[somewhatfoolish]

Just don't do this to it when you get one.

 

Quite reminiscent of this magnificent beast;

 

[Junkman]

Apparently the few they actually managed to unload onto the unsuspecting septics didn't fare too well.

 

[Rocket88]

Just don't do this to it when you get one.

 

 

 

Please do....that's a huge improvement.................

[Richard]

There's one near me that's had a For Sale sign in its window for a few years now.

[vulgalour]

I don't think I can take one on until the Renault's fate is decided and I appear to be putting that off until I've finished fannying about with the Princess.

[purplebargeken]

Maybe worth chucking whatever info you can get on here, just in case anyone might be interested.

[Richard]

This one will still be there when you've finished. It must be overpriced, buggered or both.

[Angrydicky]

Holy thread resurrection!

I bought myself a Mayflower on Saturday after years of wanting one. For once I spent proper money (four figures!) and got a decent one as my project queue is out of control and it’s embarrassing how few of my cars are actually on the road. The solution is obviously to buy MOAR cars.

It’s a bit of a sad story this. It was cherished for years by some old boy in Northumberland who bought it in 1969 and presumably when he died or gave up driving it was sold and immediately got plate raped. The original number MRM 79 ended up on a Range Rover and the car ended up down south with a chap who spent over £7k at a vintage Rolls Royce and Bentley specialist having work done. It’s had a full suspension rebuild with all new springs, bushes, kingpins, new loom, fuel pipes, recored rad, rebuilt carb, distributor, new brakes all round, 5x new Michelin XZX tyres and loads of other stuff. 
He then became ill and died before he had a chance to enjoy it. His son sold it for a fraction of the money spent to a chap who barely used it as he found it too slow. Also the gear linkage had been apart when the gearbox was out and they hadn’t got the adjustment correct so 1st to 2nd was very difficult. He used to slip the clutch and move off in 2nd which isn’t ideal on a Mayflower as 2nd is quite tall, being only a three speed. So he PXd for a Morris Minor it after doing about 150 miles. And made another whopping great loss on it.

I bought it from the dealer.

Spent a bit of time adjusting the gear linkage and now it’s a lot easier to engage, it was possible before but there was more of a knack to it.

It drives like a new Mayflower in 1953 would have done. The ride is excellent and the engine quiet and smooth. The steering is nice and taut with little play and it’s a delight to drive. 
There are a couple of minor tinkering jobs to do. It has no headlights at the moment. I’ve traced the fault to the switch so I’ve got a good used one winging its way to me.

The drivers seat is sagging and it needs restuffing. The leather is all quite dry and needs feeding. But the interior is amazingly well preserved, it’s all original. The headlining is in perfect condition and it even still has its original rubber mats under the carpets and underlay .

It also needs some decent numberplates as the cheap and nasty ones fitted look crap. The rear one hasn’t even been stamped, or fitted, straight. I’ll get onto Tippers when I get the V5 through.

One of the most amazing things with this car is how straight it is. It’s had the undersills replaced but apart from that, it’s had no welding at all and doesn’t need any. I can’t see any filler in it at all. 

It’s a great little thing to trundle around in and ok, it’s no speed demon but it’ll go at 45 all day and I’ve had it up to 50 a couple of times.

Here’s some pictures. Is @vulgalour still around on here? I’m sure he’ll like it.

 

[Vantman]

Excellent,top buying!