Morris Minor Owners Club

As many of you will no doubt know, the Minor had a maker's plate, separate from Chassis plate on the nearside engine bay tie plate, under the bumper stanchion. (see picture)[attachment=1]IMG_4629.JPG[/attachment] Over the years, because of the spot welds and general decay many rotted away or were lost when the tie plate and underlying chassis leg were replaced. (See picture for rotten versions) [attachment=2]fullsizeoutput_2b7.jpeg[/attachment][attachment=2]fullsizeoutput_2b7.jpeg[/attachment][attachment=3]IMG_1926.JPG[/attachment]

Having got mine to a state where this is about the only thing missing, i and a retired engineer firm Uttlesford branch of the MMOC managed to obtain a good early plate (Series MM were on the bulkhead or firewall so less prone to rotting), created a mould and have pressed some new ones. They are not as good definition as the original but good enough, certainly for me and others in the branch to stamp the numbers, (found on the small strips on the top NS of the bulkhead above and to the right of the battery) ZXXXXX and XXXXXX which define a) the batch and era and the body type - and then body colour and glue (not spot weld this time) in place.

We are going ahead with ordering a batch of laser cut 0.5mm MS blanks and the final product will be ready shortly. If you are interested in that last touch of 'originality' or simply are a geek like me and would like one, please let me know via the forum message board or dadmjsdm@aol.com or via the Uttlesford Morris Minor Owners facebook page. We are not looking to make money on these, simply cover the costs of the mould, blanks and time etc so they should be affordable, plus postage of course.

The main photo attached is of prototype pressings.[attachment=0]images.jpeg[/attachment]

Looks fantastic!

Thanks Rob, not quite satisfied yet, but already have 40 plus orders, two moulds done and the second is by far the better. Depth of character is governed by the mould taken from the original (yours) and will therefore never be as clear as one made on a proper tool. The painted ones though look very good ! I am waiting the reverse stamps for the LH number but the RH can be engraved by any shoe mender who also does dog tags as we cannot find a set of 5mm punches in the fine font. Not, it has to be said the it is likely to be spotted down where it is affixed, so people can do what they wish.

As soon as we do our final test pressings tomorrow, I will be off down to the laser cutters with your original to make sure that have the exact dimensions (2" x 4" with a radius of 1/8 on the corners). I will then be able to send yours back and whenever you need a new one for any of your cars, they are on us !

Thanks. Just a bare one would be great!

I'm curious as to the final composition of the mould material. Trade secret??

Terrible admission but I have never checked for mine , which considering the car has been in the same family since new is a real oversight !!! Just had a look and there it is covered in waxoyl and grime !!!! Thanks for the posts or I would not have investigated .

Rob, very similar to Taupe's I suspect, some form of Titanium based Resin. We actually made a couple of plates from it, but the problem was then one of stamping, as to get it thin enough also made it susceptible to fracture - rust free though .......

Put me down as well please firedrake

added to the spreadsheet. I will let you know when they are ready

JM

PS, just the one ?

For Rob and anyone else who is interested, the press mechanism designed and built by Uttlesford's oldest member Ray, aged 92 and still driving Gulliver, his lovely green Traveller.

The test press with 0.5mm mild steel went well this morning and I should have the laser cut blanks sometime next week.

Mine was carelessly cut straight through when an MoT patch was added!

So please put me down for one also (y)

Happy to pay in advance (y)

Will do! I will add you to the spreadsheet. Steel ordered, cutting within two weeks and we will see how moulds 2 and three hold out. Can you pm me with contact details please, as although not a commercial venture, don’t want to provoke undue wrath!

Jm

Please add me to the list be interested in a few

Russ, spreadsheet updated!

JM

They look neat--- Two please, when you're ready!

Sign me up please!

Mine’s trashed.

Spreadsheet updated, will need contact details please in due course either via PM or dadmjsdm@aol.com. Many thanks.

Sent 2 e mails both showing un delivered!

Russ and all others. Looks like firedrake has made a typo in his email address (the curse of predictive text maybe!). I have the correct one but would rather not post it here without his consent. Suggest you contact him by PM.

Thanks to Tom (PB) for flagging the email issue up but the address above (26th June) looks correct., but 3rd July has an extra 'a' ( large fingers small keyboard.....) I will retype [b]dadmjsdm@aol.com [/b] I have also received several via PM and FB and should have acknowledged all Mea maxima culpa

jm.