I SAW U HATIN.

[Cavcraft]

Well, maybe just one or two of you.

Tonight I'd like to know if anyone fancies debating these...

 

 

Now, I quite like 'em. Inoffensive, good fun to drive, parts everywhere and I reckon a bit of charm. Had a couple and they made me smile to drive, people waved (ncluding some right hotties) and getting let out at junctions was never any agg.

Yeah, they were seized on by some lentil hugging beardies/vegetarian lesbian librarian types and yes, they're at every bloody classic car show you go to, but are they so bad?

[Formula Autos]

To add an extra degree of shiteyness, can I throw this in before the debate kicks off?

 

[eddyramrod]

I have my second A40 here, so no prizes for guessing where I stand. Never been a fan of Minors. OK, preserve them, sure, I believe in preserving old cars on principle, but don't expect me to enjoy these. There are so many I'd rather look at, or drive.

[Father Ted]

I prefer the Traveler version myself, but I would have one (with suitability marina bum raped brakes)

[CortinaDave]

I don't mind them, but I had to pilot a 1963 example home for a friend and found it fairly rubbish and generally bland to drive. Put me off them a bit.

[pompei]

They never really did it for me tbh but I am glad to see so many preserved. I do like the idea of the rodded Minors with no real clues to the performance - Beardmore Bros, stand up!

 

There used to be a craze for putting Fiat twin cams in - now that supply has all but dried up, what is the motor of choice for the fast minor driver?

[wuvvum]

I actually don't mind a late Minor for local pottering. They're quite responsive to drive for such an old design and they're nippy enough to be useable round town. Far too low-geared and noisy for any kind of distance work though, and anything with less than 1098cc is too slow for modern traffic.

[eddyramrod]

There used to be a craze for putting Fiat twin cams in - now that supply has all but dried up, what is the motor of choice for the fast minor driver?

1275 with a bit of tuning, about the easiest route there is. Anyone know where I can get a nice finned alloy sump for a Minor/Midget?

[trigger]

I quite like them, I have even thought about buying one myself but i prefer the Travellers and van's more then the saloons but they are quite expensive for what they are.

 

My favorite shape is the early MM models, I have a real soft spot them.

 

I mean, How can you not love either of these two?!.

 

 

[ashmicro]

Old English White Traveller on Minilties for me. Rover K Series VVC, 282mm Rover 620Ti brakes. I'm sure someone's done it!

[Guest Tony Hayers]

I wouldn't kick one out of bed. Mechanically so simple, swinging a hammer at it would get it running on a damp morning - Something I could embrace at the moment and not with the fuel injection problems im stuck with. CLUNGE

 

Although it would have to be the Traveller that AS very own Mr Bickle was selling on Deals on Wheels. WIN!

[trigger]

Old English White Traveller on Minilties for me. Rover K Series VVC, 282mm Rover 620Ti brakes. I'm sure someone's done it!

It does exist as I've seen it, I've been looking for the photo of it for ages as i nearly jizzed in my pants at the time.

 

I'm sure it had a surfboard on the roof rack as well.

 

Not like this though

 

[eddyramrod]

No shortage of Minors over here, by the way...

As usual, only scratching the surface with these few.

[Guest]

I like a car that farts when you change gear.

 

Plus where I live, they tend to be owned by hot ginners with alcoholic bastard exes, and do duels with 1.2 Corsas down Washway Road.

 

PAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAARRRRRRPPPPPP.

[Negative Creep]

No sorry the Minor does nothing for me. Not entirely sure what it is, although I certainly don't like the styling and think they look bland even when fettled

[eddyramrod]

If you must have a car that looks like it was designed in 1939, at least have one that, from the factory, looks like it was hotrodded in 1957!

This was ours, we PX-ed a Fockus for it. Lovely tool for long distance, but being FWD, useless round town. Turning circle about 9 miles. My mate was impressed when we took it on a 500-mile round trip to collect his E-Type.

[Pete-M]

My dad had a '53 Moggie Minor with 5500 miles on the clock in 1983.

 

It was immaculate, but awful. 803cc sidevalve FTL.

[Des]

I'm a Minor sympathiser, first car was a Minor, good car for learning driving skills, you get experience of rabid oversteer and work out how to correct it while bouncing off ditches, and all without exceeding 30MPH. I had one for a few months a couple of years ago, they're not a fast car, but not an issue as there's very seldom a chance to exert even a Minors powah before being stuck behind some nasty zombie piloted credit agreement blanderoonie Peugeot / Bini/ Merd / Corshit etc.

[Mr H Sceptre]

Not really a fan myself. Obv, I wish no harm on any Minor, but thy're just not really my bag.

[trigger]

Worthy of a repost me thinks.

 

[Angrydicky]

My dad had a '53 Moggie Minor with 5500 miles on the clock in 1983.

 

It was immaculate, but awful. 803cc sidevalve FTL.

803cc was the A30 OHV engine, producing 28bhp. Heady stuff! The sidevalve engine was 913cc but I think a 1953 car would have had the OHV engine.

 

I like them, although they feel a lot bigger on the road than the A30/35 and I find them a lot more cramped to drive, I think it's because of the flat floors in the Minor. Rack and pinion steering is GR8 though.

 

Anyone want a Traveller project? I've got this one in my garden.

 

[autofive]

Worthy of a repost me thinks.

 

"and once you'd honed your skills on a morris 1000, you were ready for anything"

 

 

 

 

IMO they are overrated.

[Torsten2001]

I've had a few and I would have another at the drop of a hat, took my 1098 4 door around Europe and it was magnificent fun!

[whitevanman]

Yup, I've got the Major lob on for one this past few months....modified of course....also luvvin' Norm's Gasser idea

[Mr Lobster]

Nope. Does nothing for me either. Don't H8 them by any means, but they don't really interest me either.

 

Maybe its all the beardy types you see cleaning the underneath with a toothbrush at shows or maybe they are just a bit before my time.

[outlaw118]

As previously mentioned, farty noise FTW!!!

 

To be honest though, the traveller has a certain charm, but unless the saloons leave me a bit cold.

They're cute and all that, but not really my bag.

like Mr Lobstart said, I don't hate them, but I'm with him on preferring the gallic alternative, the Renno 4.

[dollywobbler]

I want to like them, as they're very charming. However, I found the Traveller we looked after a little disappointing, and not just because my wife almost killed herself rolling it into a ditch.

 

I think some subtle mods can probably make a Minor a very good tool. Up-spec the engine, fit some actual brakes and tame that too-simple rear end and it could be ace I reckon.

[Alexg]

Not a car at the top of my list, but if a cheep one was offered I would consider it. I'd prefer a ratty one though rather than a show winner

[Rocket88]

I had a yellow woody estate with a Fiat twin cam. Went well, from memory it had an Escort back axle, and Marine front brakes. They drive very nicely in standard spec, although 2nd gear synchro is invariably bollocksed.

[Angrydicky]

They drive very nicely in standard spec, although 2nd gear synchro is invariably bollocksed.

That applies to the 948cc (1956-62) Morris Minor, the "smooth case" gearbox fitted then was very weak and the synchro always starts to go on second. The later 1098cc gearbox is a straight swop and is a lot stronger and nicer to use, although that can suffer from jumping out of gear when they get very old and worn, not something I've experienced myself. I have the 1098 "ribbed" 'box in my everyday A35, along with the later, larger clutch and flywheel, and it has completely transformed the car.