Eight year Traveller restoration - nearly there!

Let us all know what you are up to with your current restoration project. Get that Minor on the road!
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Mark Wilson
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Eight year Traveller restoration - nearly there!

Post by Mark Wilson »

I've not up till now been posting this as a restoration thread, but I've made many posts with questions, and even some answers, over the last eight years. I've not wanted to be responsible for one of those threads which just peter out (not getting at anyone, there must be a lot of good reasons why people don't finish projects), and I don't consider myself expert enough to set out my work as a how-to-do-it guide.

Now, though, I think I'm into the final run in for the rebirth of my 1971 Traveller. I've replaced sills, inner arches, rear arches, centre crossmember, floors, both chassis legs and boot floor. I've repaired the front roof and replaced the gutters, and repaired the doors. Replaced the wood, of course, and bought and reconditioned a Midget 1275 engine, Midget gearbox and 3:9 diff. Fully replaced brakes, including Wolseley 9" drums and a servo. New loom and lights. It's running, just enough to move it, but about to tune it, sort out a brake problem and reset the suspension. Then the interior and final polishing, so a few weeks work left.

I know many people willl see what I've done as over-restoration, and I prefer the patina of a well maintained original car as much as anyone. But in this case I had acquired a badly bodged and poor condition example, through a combination of ignorance and foolishness, and then decided to sort it out properly rather than scrap it. I've had to do this with very limited working conditions, and until last year when I finally retired from a job which involved living away from home, with very limited time. I've not gone for concours, but I've aimed at sympathetic improvement to make a useable daily driver.

I've got hundreds of photographs, but here's a small selection to give a flavour of the project. If anyone wants more detail of any particular part just ask. I will be posting more during the last stage. Hope you find these of interest. (I've just found that I can only post five pictures at a time, so I'll have to do them in batches. I'm starting with the newest to whet your appetites, but then go back to the beginning)

And thanks to all those who have made this project possible, with special mentions to Phil the Hill (who should be nominated for an MBE for keeping this bit of British history alive) , IslipMinor and Kennatt. Don't see NeilMG around these parts any more, but his Traveller thread was an inspiration. And not to forget the late BMCEcosse, Roy.

Mark
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Last edited by Mark Wilson on Fri Aug 09, 2019 11:14 am, edited 1 time in total.
Mark Wilson
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Re: Eight year Traveller restoration - nearly there!

Post by Mark Wilson »

Early photos - lots more rust elsewhere, but you've all seen rust before!
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Mark Wilson
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Re: Eight year Traveller restoration - nearly there!

Post by Mark Wilson »

Early repair work - the welding gets better!
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Mark Wilson
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Re: Eight year Traveller restoration - nearly there!

Post by Mark Wilson »

Things improve with rollover jig and move into garage. Midget 1275 engine fully restored (not just painted!)
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Mark Wilson
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Re: Eight year Traveller restoration - nearly there!

Post by Mark Wilson »

Gearbox, diff and all ancillaries reconditioned. Spraying started.
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Mark Wilson
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Re: Eight year Traveller restoration - nearly there!

Post by Mark Wilson »

Shell spraying, wood frame finishing
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Mark Wilson
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Re: Eight year Traveller restoration - nearly there!

Post by Mark Wilson »

All body panels media blasted by specialist, prepared and painted by me. Finally everything starts to go together again! That's all for now.
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Murrayminor
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Re: Eight year Traveller restoration - nearly there!

Post by Murrayminor »

You have to be commended for persevering, you have done a great job.
Proud owner of my first Morris Minor
les
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Re: Eight year Traveller restoration - nearly there!

Post by les »

I’ve started so I’ll finish ! Well done. :D

ManyMinors
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Re: Eight year Traveller restoration - nearly there!

Post by ManyMinors »

That is looking very well now. A credit to you. I know colours are always a personal thing but I think the maroon colour with the contrasting wood is one of the best combinations for a Traveller. I suppose you've had to replace all the interior as well? You've done the right thing by not aiming for a "perfect" car. Those seem generally to get very little use unfortunately which is a shame. With the Midget engine and a few upgrades, it should be a very practical and useable car 8) Well done!
pgp001
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Re: Eight year Traveller restoration - nearly there!

Post by pgp001 »

Hope to see you out and about in it soon, well done.

Do you have any events planned in for this year ?
If you get cracking you might make it to the Otley rally in about a months time :D

Phil
Mark Wilson
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Re: Eight year Traveller restoration - nearly there!

Post by Mark Wilson »

Thanks for the positive comments, much appreciated.

Phil - I'd make it to Otley only if it continues to rain - too much walking and cycling to catch up on over the rest of summer otherwise! But it is downhill from Leeds...

Mark
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