New member from Essex.

[Flywheel]

Hello everyone, I've just joined the club and purchased my first Morris a 1971 Traveller.

I've always been interested in classic cars and buses, and i've owned a 1955 upright Ford pop for 27 years. Sadly the Ford had to go to make way for the Morris. Such is the way of garage space. At age 64 all i want to do now is a little light tinkering, and leave all the heavier work behind.

May i also offer my thanks to the many contributors on here who have asked questions, and those good folk who have responded. This forum is a gold mine of information, and it is very interesting. I can see i've a great deal of reading to do; great stuff folks. Thanks.

Kind regards, and all the best for Christmas. Jonnie-79018

[jagnut66]

Hi,
That's a nice looking traveller you have there. Maroon B sets it off well too.
Best wishes,
Mike.

[Owlsman]

Hello and welcome Jonnie. An early Christmas present to yourself then, eh? If so - like your style .

Seriously though, as a relative newbie myself and by no manner of means a technical or mechanical expert, I must say I have found the folks on this site (and in person at the NEC Classic Car Show) to be very friendly and an absolutely invaluable source of info and advice that no workshop manual could hope to provide.

By the looks of that very smart traveller though, all you'll need to do is put petrol in it every so often.....and give the tyres a kick now and then .

Cheers,
Alan

[Flywheel]

Hi Mike & Alan, thanks for your welcome chaps.

I never thought i'd buy one of these, but i'm very glad i did. My old upright Pop was a bit of a character but it could be very slow with only 10hp.Not to mention the vacuum wiper.

I took the traveller out for a drive around with my neighbour on the first day. Blimey its like chalk and cheese. The heater is lovely and toasty, and the engine pulls very strongly too.Yipeeeeeeeeee.

I've purchased a Haynes workshop manual for the morris, and like many newbies ive got loads to learn.

Thanks again lads. Johnnie.

[les]

Vacuum wipers, the system that wiped the screen slower the faster the vehicle went ?

[Owlsman]

Vacuum wipers, the system that wiped the screen slower the faster the vehicle went ?

Am I correct in thinking that this 'invention' was a Ford exclusive? If so, not one of Henry's finest was it?

[irmscher]

Hi Jonnie lovely traveller you have there

[philthehill]

Welcome to the world of Morris Minors

Fitting the Ford auxiliary vacuum tank helped keep the wipers going when the throttle was opened wide.

You could always use the operating lever of the wiper vacuum chamber if so desired.

Whilst the Ford Pop was slow in standard form those that had been breathed upon by Leslie Ballamy or used his parts went like the clappers and some could exceed 100mphy especially 'works' Ford Pop 103E registration number 817FHX.

A good read is 'Out In Front'.....The Leslie Ballamy Story by Tony Russell ISBN1-899870-69-5.

I have always been interested in the Ford Pop especially the specials - the first book I ever bought (and still have) was 'The Construction Of Ford Specials' by John Mills and published by Batsford 1960.

Phil

[ianmack]

Vacuum wipers weren’t invented by Ford but by Trico in the US. They were in fairly common use through the twenties and thirties. Ford kept them longer than most, presumably for cheapness, but then the Pop had many features which were completely archaic by the time they stopped making them in 1959. The transverse leaf springs go right back to the model T of 1908.

It seems hard to imagine now that basic electric motors were so expensive that designers would go to such lengths to avoid using them.

[simmitc]

Welcome Jonnie, depending on where you are in Essex, the main Essex Branch has events in various places, their next is in Danbury on the last Sunday of January; and there is also a branch in the Saffron Walden area. I'm sure that both would welcome meeting you.

[Myrtles Man]

It seems hard to imagine now that basic electric motors were so expensive that designers would go to such lengths to avoid using them.

I saw a fascinating programme on telly a few years ago during which it was claimed that, in the early 1920's when the widespread usage of electrical power was just starting to be introduced, it was envisaged that henceforth, new houses would incorporate a large electric motor in the attic which would drive, via a series of belts and pulleys, all the labour-saving devices that were to enhance future daily life. Mmm, might have made operating an electric toothbrush a bit risky!

[Flywheel]

Vacuum wipers, the system that wiped the screen slower the faster the vehicle went ?

Hi Les, Yes if you were accelerating, say going uphill the engine vacuum to the wiper unit became nonexistent. In heavy rain it could prove dangerous, as I found out one day on a trip to Suffolk when a months rain poured down in one day. Horrendous.

[Flywheel]

Vacuum wipers, the system that wiped the screen slower the faster the vehicle went ?

Am I correct in thinking that this 'invention' was a Ford exclusive? If so, not one of Henry's finest was it?

Owlsman, I’m not too sure about that. I know a few of the Fords had them fitted, but sensible folk, quickly fitted an electric wiper motor. As my pop wasn’t an everyday driver I thought I’d stick with it. Perhaps Ford fitted these because it may have been a cheaper option, and for basic simplicity. In the 27 years I owned my car I didn’t have any problem with the vacuum motor, they could be very slow.

[Flywheel]

Hi Jonnie lovely traveller you have there

Hi jrmscher thanks. It’s a motor I’ve been hankering after for a while now. I thought blow it, life’s too short eh.

[Flywheel]

Welcome to the world of Morris Minors

Fitting the Ford auxiliary vacuum tank helped keep the wipers going when the throttle was opened wide.

You could always use the operating lever of the wiper vacuum chamber if so desired.

Whilst the Ford Pop was slow in standard form those that had been breathed upon by Leslie Ballamy or used his parts went like the clappers and some could exceed 100mphy especially 'works' Ford Pop 103E registration number 817FHX.

A good read is 'Out In Front'.....The Leslie Ballamy Story by Tony Russell ISBN1-899870-69-5.

I have always been interested in the Ford Pop especially the specials - the first book I ever bought (and still have) was 'The Construction Of Ford Specials' by John Mills and published by Batsford 1960.

Phil

Hi Phil. Thanks for the welcome, the other book that was doing the rounds of the Ford sidevalve owners club was Dave Turner’s: Ford Popular and the small sidevalves. Published by ‘Osprey’.

It does have a section in the book devoted to specials, it was surprising how many variations there were on offer. Real nice ones too. Thanks for the info on the books you’ve mentioned, I’ll ask my old side valve pals if anyone has a copy of those. Cheers.

[Flywheel]

Vacuum wipers weren’t invented by Ford but by Trico in the US. They were in fairly common use through the twenties and thirties. Ford kept them longer than most, presumably for cheapness, but then the Pop had many features which were completely archaic by the time they stopped making them in 1959. The transverse leaf springs go right back to the model T of 1908.

It seems hard to imagine now that basic electric motors were so expensive that designers would go to such lengths to avoid using them.

Hi ianmack. I had no idea about the history of vacuum wipers, i think the unit fitted to my pop was a Trico. The pull to start wiper lever could be hard to budge. I split my fingernails a few times on mine.

You are correct about the transverse leaf springs on the pop. A real throwback to the old model T. Not hard to see why they stopped production in 1959, after all the mini was the new kid on the block that year. Glad i've purchased the morris though.

[Flywheel]

Welcome Jonnie, depending on where you are in Essex, the main Essex Branch has events in various places, their next is in Danbury on the last Sunday of January; and there is also a branch in the Saffron Walden area. I'm sure that both would welcome meeting you.

Hi simmitc, thanks for the welcome. I am enjoying the club/forum very much indeed.

I was absolutely staggered at the wealth of knowledge and information available. Its going to take me a long time to read through all the posts. Will you please pass on my thanks to your friends and colleagues, who take the time to share their valuable knowledge.

For myself i hail from Hornchurch in Essex. i'll certainly contact a few groups very soon.

Thanks again Jonnie.

[sid]

nice car,and welcome aboard Flywheel
i too had a side-valve Ford,a 100E Prefect,and also a Mk2 Consul with the vacuum wipers.great fun in heavy rain..not!

[Flywheel]

Hi Sid, the sidevalves were great fun, but i thought its time for a change. I certainly won't worry about the rain now.

Cheers, Jonnie.