HELP - BUYING FIRST MORRIS, ADVICE APPRECIATED

[Chester1]

Appreciate a bit of help here please.

After 30 years of staring at other peoples Morris Travellers i have finally decided to bite the bullet and buy a much loved Traveller!

Being an absolute novice when it comes to mechanics i am keen to ensure the car i am going to see tomorrow (Saturday) is a genuine enough vehicle.

I appreciate with 50 year old cars it is ineviatable to expect some/much upgrading/refurb but just want to make sure its not a complete collection of 10 cars welded into 1!

Whilst i am not nieve enough to be pulled in by the shiny paint, i need some advice/help to ascertain if this is more or less a decent vehicle.

Are there any type of report that you folks would recommend if i was to purchase "subject to final inspection"

(AA, RAC etc) Do they carry out classic appraisals.

Very keen to buy this car, but remembering the phrase "buyer beware"
Prompt respone appreciated, heading down South in the morning,

Cheers

Alistair

[beero]

If you tell us where down south perhaps someone nearby might meet you there.
Meanwhile, have you seen this?
http://www.mmoc.org.uk/index.php?page=310

[LouiseM]

Welcome to the messageboard Alistair. If you haven't already seen it there's another useful thread here with some buying advice : http://www.mmoc.org.uk/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=37815

In addition to the info in the thread, the wood on a traveller is structural so check for any soft spots. I'm not sure if the AA or RAC are the best people to carry out an inspection. If you have no previous experience of old cars you ideally need someone with previous experience of Minors to check it out for you. I take it that this is the first traveller you've looked at? Don't feel tempted to buy the first one you see as there are a lot of rotten ones out there and they can cost a lot to put right. So take your time to make sure that you get a decent one.

Do you have any photos you could post here? Not ideal but it might be useful for checking the overall general condition. And whereabouts is it? As Beero says, there might be someone on here or in a local branch who might be able to take a look for you.

[Chester1]

Beero and LouieM,

Humbled by the response so far, brilliant.

Printed the help sheet you mentioned earlier today, however was aware about most of these.

Been looking at various cars for around 18 months so fairly familiar with the good and bad bits!, fully aware you dont pick the first puppy!
I guess i jst want to ensure its not a Heinz 57 car, or is that normal for most of them at that age.

Appreciate all you help so far,

Thanks

AJ

[LouiseM]

I guess i jst want to ensure its not a Heinz 57 car, or is that normal for most of them at that age.

Most will have had some repairs or restoration work carried out but the quality of the work can vary and there are a lot of bodge jobs out there! You really need to check the underneath throroughly.

As previously stated, if you tell us where the car is someone local may be able to take a look for you, or might be able to recommend a Minor specialist or Minor friendly garage in the area that would be able to inspect it for you.

[beero]

So what was the car like today AJ?

[Chester1]

Hi Folks! (Particularly Berro and David McCullough)

Many thanks for your interest!

Apologies for the delayed response, being self employed and taking a day out to travel 400 miles round trip means catching up on the Sunday, cutting grass, cleaning cars and painting the kitchen...yuk!

OK, so the trip generally went well. I had originally called the seller to ask about a Snowberry White Traveller, when he mentioned that he has a Black 55/56 plate split screen, which caught my interest.

The black car looked great outside, with the inside needing a bit of work, which i dont have the time to do at the moment (self employed, time is the enemy)

The white one was the one i preferred, however the interior (in my opinion was better then the split screen, but the exterior need a makeover to get it to the level i would like.
Summary

Both nice cars, exceptionally nice seller (Steve) who i would love to have had a deal with.

Now ideally looking for,

Very tidy Snowberry White Traveller,
MOT'd
Wood in excellent condition
Restoration information if possible

Cash buyer now.

Any out there?
Regards

Alistair

Alistair J McMurdo


Whilst i dont even have a car yet< the feedback from the club has been warming and friendly, really much appreciated.

I have waited 30 years to buy one of these, so please be assured it will be going to a very good home,

Thnaks again all you MM fans,

Regards

AJ

[d_harris]

Hi AJ, there are many of us who are willing to do a prelim viewing to ascertain whether a journey is worthwhile - might save you some time.

It should only be seen as a check whether the car is worth actually coming to see though and you shouldn't base your descision to purchase on it...

[Chester1]

Hi AJ, there are many of us who are willing to do a prelim viewing to ascertain whether a journey is worthwhile - might save you some time.

It should only be seen as a check whether the car is worth actually coming to see though and you shouldn't base your descision to purchase on it...

Thanks for that, appreciate the consideration. Maybe for some future car,

Kind regards

Alistair

[palfers]

Hi to all of you contributors to this posting. I am in a similar position to AJ ie a novice, (have posted my own msg under new owner in general discussion) and have also been extremely impressed by the friendliness and help offered by other members.

I am waiting to view a 'converted' convertible currently in Bilston and would be extremely grateful if anyone would care to take a look with me/before me. I would be happy to meet their costs.

Thanks in anticipation.

Palfers

[irmscher]

Good luck with your purchase and dont forget to put a picture on i would personaly go for a genuine convertible not a converted one but thats my preference as they hold there value better and would be easier to sell when the time comes

[ASL642]

There's nothing wrong with a converted car so long as it's been done properly.

[mike.perry]

That's what I said on the other posting
Anyone any idea how many convertions there are or the ratio of genuine to conversions?

[ASL642]

It would certainly be a bit of interesting research, how to go about it another matter.

[irmscher]

fact is an original convertible will always be worth more than a converted one but i think imho its worth paying that bit more