Team-BHP - Morris Minor : Help needed for restoration

Hi friends,
Two years back, I bought a Morris Minor which is in running condition. But unfortunately, due to some unavoidable circumstances, couldn't go for the full restoration of the car.

Now, I am planning to go for a full restoration and so need your valuable suggestion, guidance and comments.

So, can you recommend me any garage experienced in such work in Kolkata. And also, any idea how much it will cost.

I am posting a few images of my Morris so that you can have an idea.

Thanks and regards

MilindaJP

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Thanking You for your anticipated co-operation

The Team-BHP Support

Hi Milindajp,

For starters, one of our members posted a copy of the original (BMC) Morris Minor Workshop Manual. Its very comprehensive, and covers both your car (MM) and the later 1000 models. Here's the link:

http://www.team-bhp.com/forum/vintag...tml#post967557

Glad to find another vintage enthusiast from Kolkata. Feel free to contact me for whatever help required. PM me your contact no if you want to.

Hi Predatorwheelz,

Thanks for your reply. I have checked the link sent by you, but it shows only the image of the Morris Minor Workshop Manual, not the actual one.

However, I have already collected soft copies of MM Workshop Manual, Engine Catalogue and other staff. Only the MM Workshop Manual is a 32MB pdf file. I planned to upload them in some other free web space and post the link here. Or is it better to start a separate thread under technical with the downloadable link of the manuals and catalogues.

Regards

Quote:

Originally Posted by JayD (Post 1316850)

Hi Milindajp,
Welcome to the forum. That's a nice car which you've got there. Are you sure you want to do a full resto on it?

Thanks for the compliment. Yes, I want to go for a full resto. And as winter is the best time to do so, I think to start it by Nov. this year.

Do you have any idea - regarding cost and time involved?

Regards

Hello!
This looks like a nice good condition car, why do you wish to restore? Please give good reasons, like the mechanicals are weak, there is rot inside the body, but the engine bay looks very clean.
Your photos are not closeups, but I would not dismantle that car.
But if you do decide to go ahead, 8 to 10 months may go by and you may spend around ???????? Do you intend to use imported paints? Do you intend to rebuild the engine? To give a price idea you must specify what is intended to be done.

Good Luck harit

Quote:

Originally Posted by harit (Post 1318402)

Thanks Harit for your reply. Following are the things which I intend to do.
1. Full painting job (there is some rusting in the lower part of the doors)
2. Chrome plating
3. Change the windscreen rubber
4. Change wiper
5. Engine overhaul
6. Replacing the alternator / dynamo (less current is coming)
7. New battery
8. Leather seat cover

Can you please provide me any idea regarding cost involved?

Quote:

Originally Posted by milindajp (Post 1318672)

These are all cosmetic jobs, not a full fledged restoration. MM parts are easy to find in Kolkata, if you know the right places. However, make sure you have a good mechanic to do the job. PM me if you need help regarding parts/mechanics.

Quote:

Originally Posted by milindajp (Post 1318672)

Hi. As I mentioned earlier, apparently your car does not need a full restoration. No point in opening up the car, just based on the pics you have posted. Now you certainly can ask forum members for advise, but I suggest that you meet some local enthusiasts and consult them. As a few people if you want a general opinion.
As far as I can see, do not chrome evevrything, good LASTING chrome is still generally a problem. If there is some rusting, I suggest that you do not rip open the car. Just attend to those rusty edges. Engine may be overhauled, but why? Is she smoking, has no power? The little we see of the seats they do look OK.
Get some opinion in situ!

All the best
harit

I agree with Harit's comments. Your car just doesnt neet full resto. Attention to details is about all (seemingly) what she needs. Interior clean as this is a rare sight. Sourcing parts for these oldies is a nightmare, I see all the hard to come by parts (panel, instruments etc) in pretty decent shape. Unless the engine smokes or produced less power, it would need a "fine tune" - You may want to run the warining in a proper harness to get rid of the untidy look under the hood. The position of ignition coil also seems a bit odd - it usually sits on the dynamo

Thats a great looking car.

What on earth makes you strip it.:eek:

If this is your first Restoration job, you must also know about the intricacies and troubles you need to undergo.

As per me, a full fledged restoration on this car will cost you close to a lac +.

And Restoration is not an easy job. Once you split open the car, its like rubic cube, you cant put it back together the way it is right now. Just like what HARIT sir said.

Please employ one good rubbing polishing guy, and get the car detailed once. Get the chrome parts buffed, check the wirings, Change the upholstery if you feel like.

BUT ............! Dont ever strip a good car.

Dont Fix something that ai'nt Broke.!