Morris Minor : Help needed for restoration

milindajp · 22nd May 2009, 21:55

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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predatorwheelz · 23rd May 2009, 07:33

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.

milindajp · 23rd May 2009, 09:14

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

JayD · 23rd May 2009, 11:23

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?

milindajp · 23rd May 2009, 11:27

Quote:

Originally Posted by JayD

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

the mole · 23rd May 2009, 17:31

Hi milind thats a nice car why dont you contact Mr rajiv Ghosh on the forum, they run a fabulous restoration service in calcutta and they have restored my Rover.

harit · 25th May 2009, 05:40

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

milindajp · 25th May 2009, 11:28

Quote:

Originally Posted by harit

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

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?

predatorwheelz · 25th May 2009, 12:11

Quote:

Originally Posted by milindajp

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?

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.

harit · 26th May 2009, 01:42

Quote:

Originally Posted by milindajp

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?

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

razaksyed · 14th August 2010, 03:08

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

PAVAN KADAM · 14th August 2010, 11:25

Thats a great looking car.

What on earth makes you strip it.

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.!

22nd May 2009, 21:55	#1
milindajp BHPian Join Date: May 2009 Location: Highway Posts: 213 Thanked: 206 Times	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 Post EDITED since it contained various [FONT], [COLOR] and [SIZE] tags. Posting with such text formatting should be avoided on Team-BHP as it is inconvenient for members to read post. Kindly go through Announcements section before proceeding. Thanking You for your anticipated co-operation The Team-BHP Support Attached Thumbnails Last edited by Jaggu : 22nd May 2009 at 22:02. Reason: Use preview, also avoid external editors. Thanks
	() Thanks

23rd May 2009, 07:33	#2
predatorwheelz Senior - BHPian Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Delhi/Kolkata Posts: 1,733 Thanked: 2,168 Times View My Garage	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.
	() Thanks

23rd May 2009, 09:14	#3
milindajp BHPian Join Date: May 2009 Location: Highway Posts: 213 Thanked: 206 Times	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
	() Thanks

23rd May 2009, 11:23	#4
JayD Senior - BHPian Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Cochin! At last Posts: 3,235 Thanked: 2,616 Times View My Garage	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

23rd May 2009, 17:31	#6
the mole Senior - BHPian Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Mumbai Posts: 2,190 Thanked: 832 Times View My Garage	Hi milind thats a nice car why dont you contact Mr rajiv Ghosh on the forum, they run a fabulous restoration service in calcutta and they have restored my Rover.
	() Thanks

25th May 2009, 05:40	#7
harit Senior - BHPian Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Mumbai Posts: 4,036 Thanked: 3,311 Times	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
	() Thanks

14th August 2010, 03:08	#11
razaksyed Newbie Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Monrovia / Islamabad Posts: 12 Thanked: 0 Times	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
	() Thanks

14th August 2010, 11:25	#12
PAVAN KADAM BANNED Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: NAMMA BENGALURU Posts: 5,601 Thanked: 2,557 Times	Thats a great looking car. What on earth makes you strip it. 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.!
	() Thanks