Morris Minor Owners Club

Due to a law change regarding rust repaired here in N/Z I'm having to scrap my early MM chassis number 8416. I realise postage will be a killer but I do have some hard to find parts I need to sell so I can recoup some money. I also have the last early screen rubber Frank had left. Feel free to drop me a line.

Rod

Rod: I sent you a private message. best, jv.

Have you thought about exporting the whole car? One that early has great value in the UK. How bad is it?

Rob, I would love too. I've been talking with a chap about the possibility of doing so. The very last thing I actually want to do is crush it. As for how bad, it has rust in the A posts and floor edges. The left chassis rail has been poorly repaired around the eye bolt causing the suspension arm to rub the tie plate and pop the spot welds along a section of rail. It needs a boot corner and rear valence repair after a poorly repaired accident. One front guard requires minimal work and the other a little bit more, the doors look to be solid except for the quarter lights have rotted out, I have replacements for these but sadly no latches. One rear guard is original to the car and pre dates the reinforced mounting lip the other is slightly later. The battery tray requires replacing but pre dates the rota dip hole.

The engine and box have gone and someone wants the front bumper but it's still in my hands at the moment. I'll post pics once I've spoken to the other chap involved.

Rod

Breaking it would be a great shame. The amount of work you describe would be considered a very minimal restoration in the UK!

It would indeed be a shame, I’m English and a motor mechanic by trade. I spent a great deal of time welding cars and this one is not that bad. None of that changes the fact that the law here now does not allow me to repair it and it needs to go some where. If I find someone that wants to ship it back to the UK I would certainly be happy to help my end. However that’s a big spend for someone!

Anyone know how expensive it would be? Might be able to justify it if I could get enough other bits inside the shipping container. Our 1949 came from Aus so it can't be too expensive. Not many unrestored Lowlights in the UK, after all.

Photos would be handy, obviously.

Hear, hear! PHOTOS !!

About £3000 UK for a 20 foot container from Auckland to this side of the UK dock gates. That's good for 2 cars and a couple of tons of parts.

It would indeed be a shame, I’m English and a motor mechanic by trade. I spent a great deal of time welding cars and this one is not that bad. None of that changes the fact that the law here now does not allow me to repair it and it needs to go some where. If I find someone that wants to ship it back to the UK I would certainly be happy to help my end. However that’s a big spend for someone!

Hi,
This must be quite concerning / disheartening for classic car fans in NZ.
What prompted such draconian legislation?
Are you allowed to make any repairs at all?
Mine is being rebuilt at present and the rear inner wings have just been cut out to be replaced with new ones, plus the floor and sills have been repaired, from what you say I take it all such activity is now illegal over there?
Is this the 'thin end of the wedge' for classic car enthusiasts / restorers in NZ?
Best wishes,
Mike.

This particular rule applies because the car has been deregistered. If a vehicle remains unregistered for over a year it falls off the system, in order to get it back on the road it requires certification, which if you like is a very in depth MOT. Brakes are stripped, interior panels removed etc. Since the certifier is a mechanic and not a panel beater he his not considered qualified to comment on the safety of any accident or rust repairs so these have to be referred to a specialist repair certifier. Until recently I would have been able to contact the repair certifier and he would come out and start a " File " on the repairs carried out and monitor progress ensuring the work was up to scratch. Once the car was complete and ready for certification and registration I would produce the file from the repair certifier proving the repairs were safely carried out. For some reason this has now changed and you must first have " i-Car " welding certification and be working in a panel shop in order for the repair certifier to sign you off. If I were to complete the repairs and take the finished car for certification the repair certifier can insist the vehicle is media blasted to reveal any repairs for inspection.

In some ways it makes sense......................

Rod

There is a similar system here, you can put a vehicle on hold for a maximum of 12 months and you have to keep renewing. People forget!
Would you be disappointed to hear that the Classic Car Club of N/Z are quite often consulted on such law changes?

Anyhow this the old girl when I dragged her out of the chaps shed/barn. Some of you may remember me posting when I got it.









The last one is how she sits today. I had dismantled the shell, stripped the exterior paint ( All ten coats) ) and applied an epoxy based etch when my Wee Man came along followed by his Little Sister a couple years later. After having to move the car to my work I decided to make a start on the worst bit of rust, being the left A post and corner. Then I found out about the rule change.

I hope this car is saved somehow. Its far too good to be scrapped.

I agree, this car deserves to be saved / restored.

Would you be disappointed to hear that the Classic Car Club of N/Z are quite often consulted on such law changes?

That does sound a bit worrying, like your own club is working against the ordinary enthusiast............
Best wishes,
Mike.

Well Gents,

The car owes me less than a grand N/Z, I don’t need to make a profit and will happily take a loss to a good home. I have access to a van and salvage trailer, there are several shipping firms here in Christchurch that will rent a container or space within one and I will gladly load everything up and deliver it for free.
All I need is for someone to put their hand up.

Do you know anyone in the business who might have 11 feet in a container going to the UK? Hard to organise anything other than a full container from the UK end of the line. We're in South Wales so anywhere between London and Bristol is handy.


Our ex- Aus Lowlight. Before and after.

Sorry Rob, I don't. However a quick local Google brings these guys up
https://tauruslogistics.co.nz
Being Christchurch based makes them handy.
May be worth an email if you wanted to dip your feet. I can assemble as much as I can so you only have a Morrie shaped lump and not lots of seperate parts taking up room.
I've admired your Tourer for some time, would look good next too a Platinum grey saloon.

Please do let me know how you get on and if you are serious though, my Boss is getting grumpy about me using the space and has suggested if I don't sell it he wants to roof chop it and leave it in his paddock as a garden ornament! If I can give him a time frame I can stall for time.

Cheers

Hopefully this should make registering it a little easier as well. You have to like proper old log books!

Emails sent to the shippersbut I guess everyone is asleep down there.