A minor to get save the winter rust of my MGB

Post by **Cam** » Sat Nov 13, 2004 12:41 am

Well, you are on the official MMOC website forum at the moment! If you want to join the club then click on the links on the left. I am in the MGOC too........

Post by **Chris Morley** » Sun Nov 14, 2004 5:41 pm

Chris - I think I should have taken you out in my 911!

Yes, it's a pity you didn't offer me a ride when you still had the 911!

Comparing like for like is much easier - the Porche is designed as an expensive performance car so it should be brilliant at sticking to the road (although I seem to recall the early versions used to be a touch lethal in that respect

due to the engine being at the wrong end... ). Currently it costs about 8-9 times as much as the modern economy cars which are similar to the Minor in terms of size, doors etc. (e.g. Fiesta, Corsa, Polo)

I can only properly compare the Minor to the modern economy cars I've driven a lot in all conditions (1988 Citroen AX, 1995 Vauxhall Corsa & a 1997 works Astra, plus a number of 1990's basic Fiestas & Escorts). The AX had brilliant roadholding (with a bit too much roll) where as the Astra seemed very tail happy for some reason. The Corsa (without assistance) is stable at speed but a bit cumbersome on slow roads.

I'm not in the habit of driving at the edge of adhesion but I do know that my Minor takes a number of the local bends very well in comparison to the others at a good lick. The steering is much more precise & better than either Vauxhall and you get a lot more feel for the road (I find most modern small cars are usually too 'floaty' at speed). The Minor's primitive rear end is quite harsh though and it tends to hop a bit on bends and rough roads, although a good 155 tyre helps. It can however be driven much like a modern car in the dry although you have to be careful not to fishtail the rear end in the wet.

Basically a Minor can be used just like any other car as long as you respect it's limitations. Really that's incredible as the design dates back more than 60 years. In this respect the brakes, lights & demisting are the major deficiencies compared to modern economy cars, not the steering. And with a 1098cc engine you should have enough power to keep up in most traffic conditions.

Post by **MGB2** » Tue Nov 16, 2004 3:23 am

Thanks clarifeis the how they drive. Just want to avoid any embarrasment with the I told you sos that think I am a mad for considering a minor for a daily driver "too slow" "MY FAVOURITE CAR IS A DATSUN CHERRY" etc.My B hops on bumpy coners also. I supose the lights could be upgraded to 12V and that anti mist spray mist could be used on the windows. As For the brakes I understand serveral people have made bespoke system to uses disks which i would certainly be thinking of doing as I like to drive beyond the limits of adhesion. I dont supose their is out of the box disk brake kits about is their?Do minors have inera type real seat belts can you buy ones if they dont? Seem a real beauty in stanraar (in scotland) go on ebay for 450 the other week (missed it )so keeping an eye out for a car daily. Might but a car that has been moth balled if its structralally ok prehpas not the most rational move but recommioning could be fun.

Post by **rayofleamington** » Tue Nov 16, 2004 9:54 am

I dont supose their is out of the box disk brake kits about is their?Do minors have inera type real seat belts can you buy ones if they dont?

you can buy all that very easily from the specialists, but if you look around for long enough you may find a car that is already upgraded for a similar price to the others (upgrades don't add a lot to the second hand price) - that would be the most economical way to get what you're looking for.

Post by **Cam** » Tue Nov 16, 2004 2:04 pm

I supose the lights could be upgraded to 12V

ALL Minors are 12 volts anyway and use basically the same lights as the B.

and that anti mist spray mist could be used on the windows

If you are worried about the wipers and misting up, the late minors are the same as the B in terms of effectiveness and in fact my B steams up worse than my Moggy.

I dont supose their is out of the box disk brake kits about is their?

Yes, quite a few companies do them. I had a Birmingham Centre one previously and now I have a JLH one.

Do minors have inera type real seat belts can you buy ones if they dont?

A lot of them have had them fitted later on. But you can buy the kits OR just get some from the scrapyards.............. easy!

Although the B is a more modern drive, the Minor is not a bad drive at all. But remember the B is a sports car and the Minor is a saloon......... different kettle of fish really. But if you uprate the Minor then you can have fun!! My 4-door Minor handles better, accelerates MUCH better, brakes better, has a higher top speed AND is more economical and practical than my B!!!

Post by **Chris Morley** » Tue Nov 16, 2004 2:17 pm

""BAD LANGUAGE - AUTOMATIC BAN""

Oops! As per the T&C you're not supposed to post anything offensive.

The Minor's lights are already 12V - the easy upgrade is to Halogen bulbs which use more current / Amps. The screen sprays aren't likely to help much with condensation or interior icing. For this I use cloths and de-icing spray, Freezing cold frosty mornings are when the Minor's deficiencies cause some problems - however (on the plus side) mine always starts and you can at least open the door (modern locks seem to freeze more easily).

Post by **Matt** » Wed Nov 17, 2004 12:19 pm

Halogen bulbs which use more current / Amps

No they don't! They are the same power as sealed beams, and the same voltage, therefore they pull the same current!

Post by **Kevin** » Wed Nov 17, 2004 2:05 pm

No they don't! They are the same power as sealed beams,

Are they ? I though the Wattage was greater.

Post by **Pyoor_Kate** » Wed Nov 17, 2004 3:23 pm

Not always, but you probably can get higher wattage ones; with my bike you can fit the original glow-worm type bulb (which is, I think 35/55W), the halogen variant (35/55), the brighter halogen variant (45/65, I think) or the odd variants (55/100 or 80/100).

I suspect, with the sealed beams a smaller range of variants are available, but I should think there's a few different ones.

Post by **Chris Morley** » Wed Nov 17, 2004 5:59 pm

A few years ago I asked two suppliers about the halogen option and both said the halogens they offered draws more current . I didn't convert as I didn't want to add more strain to the dynamo & wiring. What make of Halogens were you talking about Matt?

Post by **mal** » Wed Nov 17, 2004 9:03 pm

Maybe I'm missing the point her but I thought Minors were 'Classic' cars....
I'm no purist but surely the whole idea of buying a classic is to use it as one.
Since I purchased my Moggy a couple of months ago I have thoroughly enjoyed using it, it is a standard car with no upgrades and handles beautiful.. and stops ok. it keeps up with modern cars and I can see ok in the dark ( must be all the carrots I eat ) If I wanted all the comforts etc;; I would jump in my air conditioned, power everything family people carrier... ( used only for the wife & dog...or is that the other way round... )
I even prefer driving the Moggy to my MGB which has hardly been used since the purchase of the Moggy, although I did have a 70 mile blast out in it today.
I agree with CAM that both cars are very different and should both be treated with respect. Maybe I'm just getting and old F*** but I enjoy the Moggy with all the basic driving accessories you need.
truly converted Moggy fan ( again ) Mal [/quote]

Post by **Cam** » Wed Nov 17, 2004 11:01 pm

Congrats on converting, Mal!

I enjoy the standard car but I also like the modified ones. The only way to do this is to have both cars and then jump in the one that takes your fancy at a particular time!!

Post by **rayofleamington** » Wed Nov 17, 2004 11:56 pm

I'm no purist but surely the whole idea of buying a classic is to use it as one.

ah - that often causes confusion as the Minor IS all things to all people including: Boyracers, purists, concours restorers, cheap daily runaround, environmental car, family heirloom, something to learn DIY mechanics with, etc. etc..

Post by **Chris Morley** » Thu Nov 18, 2004 12:07 am

I even prefer driving the Moggy to my MGB which has hardly been used since the purchase of the Moggy

Oh dear - another case of advancing moggyitis!

Above all, the Minor is firstly a car and it still does exactly what is said in the sales brochures - reliable and economical transportation which happens to be enjoyable as well.

Post by **Kevin** » Thu Nov 18, 2004 6:29 am

I enjoy the Moggy with all the basic driving accessories you need.
truly converted Moggy fan

Agree with you there Mal but its surprising who many owners dont realise there cars are not original, we have branch members who did not notice things like alternators, halogen headlamps and improved heaters etc until they were pointed out to them as quite a few of the mods are subtle and some replacement headlamps are not much different to the originals but the light output certainly is.

Post by **mal** » Thu Nov 18, 2004 9:32 am

Glad some people agree, even in principle...
there is nothing wrong with people modifying their cars if they so wish, after all they own the car.. I still have the dynamo etc; etc; and it does the job....even if the battery run flat for some reason ( which it doen't) you have the luxury of a starting handle... another recollection of my hard up youth !!!!
I am always of the opinion that they stopped making the likes of Moggys, Austin A30's etc; because they ran so well and lasted so long.
Chris... I enjoyed my drive yesterday in the roadster but as previously stated, each car is different and I like the more 'basic' feel of the Moggy. I will just use them both, in preference to the PC which I have to drive now today as the wife wants to go shopping !!!!!!!! ugh....
mal

Post by **rayofleamington** » Thu Nov 18, 2004 9:42 am

I am always of the opinion that they stopped making the likes of Moggys, Austin A30's etc; because they ran so well and lasted so long.

To me it seemed more like they got very good at what they were doing and then forgot what had made them good (innovation, modernisation etc..).
Whilst they were busy resting on their laurels, everyone else was working hard and when the competition started to produce much more modern cars the reaction was to immitate and follow, rather than lead.
The Minor design was put together in the early 40's and Austin did the Mini in the 50's. When they had to put together a new car in a rush to compete with the Escort (the Marina), they based it on the Minor. However if they had used that 20 year slumber period to to make as much innovation as the previous 15 years the competition would not have stood a chance.

These days it is still possible to make a car that lasts as long as a Minor, however virtually nobody would buy it (as it would be expensive) and you would soon be bankrupt. People buying cars worry more about their own costs than the costs of the 9th owner to have the car 15 years later.

Post by **mal** » Thu Nov 18, 2004 3:58 pm

I agree with you there Ray, this country did lead the way with cars... not forgetting the motorcycle industry, some lovely British bikes....
I still think it came down to the quality of build in the early years, and they should have moved steadily on to cope with demand etc; instead of waiting years to produce the likes of a Moggy based Marina.... let's face it, not a very good move.....My pc has a fully galvanised chassis with fibreglass body, I wasn't too keen at first but it's not liable to rot and leaves me more time for my classics, mind as you say it was expensive !!!!!
Mal

Post by **MGB2** » Fri Nov 19, 2004 4:17 am

Which is better a 2 door or a 4 door? Do they both command the same sort of money?

Post by **Cam** » Fri Nov 19, 2004 1:39 pm

4 doors are a little more expensive but there's not much in it.

If you are under about 5' 10" then a 4 door will be OK, but over that some folks seem to have trouble with hitting their spine on the B-post.

I have a 4 door and a 2 door. I prefer the extra chrome you get with the 4 door door tops (especially at the rear) as it makes the 2 door look a bit plain in comparrison. BUT I like the shape of the body more on the 2-door as the body curve (top to bottom and left to right) seems to look nicer and a lot less broken up.

Morris Minor Owners Club

A minor to get save the winter rust of my MGB

are minors ok?

a minor to get save the winter rust of my mgb

a minor to get save the winter rust of my mgb

a minor to get save the winter rust of my mgb