Where to repair my Traveller

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GPO_Van
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Where to repair my Traveller

Post by GPO_Van »

Hello All

I have decided to have some professional work on my Traveller, including new wood, a respray (it was resprayed several years ago and many areas have peeled off, it started orange peeling early on and I was not charged for the job).
Also while it's in I’ve made a list of smaller jobs to be done, now I’m in my 70’s I’m less able to do jobs to my satisfaction.
My question is, I want to pay a fair amount for a good job, I’m not looking for cheap and cheerful, or for a craftsman to not earn what he deserves, so where or who is a well recommended dealer that you personally have used?
Also any bad people I need to avoid please PM me.
I live between Liverpool and Chester but the best person for the job is more important, if its to far to drive I’ll pay to transport it.

Thank you in advance
Reg
Des911
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Re: Where to repair my Traveller

Post by Des911 »

I know the feeling at 70.

Good luck with finding somewhere, when I asked I got no replies. I live in Nottingham.
1958 4 door Black
KeithL
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Re: Where to repair my Traveller

Post by KeithL »

How about the Morris Minor Millennium Company in Whalley Range, Manchester? We haven't used them but had just selected them to do up a Traveller we were about to buy when we found another example which was already concours.

https://morris-minor-millennium.weebly.com/

I'm sure others will have experience of using them.

simmitc
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Re: Where to repair my Traveller

Post by simmitc »

How far are you really prepared to travel and/or send the car, and how long can you wait? I have seen good work from restorers in Cambridge and on the South Coast but have no knowledge of anyone in your area.

I do sometimes wonder about the claims that a car has been restored by such and such a company. I once viewed a Traveller allegedly restored by a well known company, and it was awful. I have seen other examples of their work (supported by invoices) that are first class. You also have to consider what specification was agreed for any work that was done - a "restoration" in one person's mind might not be the same is what you expect.
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Monty-4
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Re: Where to repair my Traveller

Post by Monty-4 »

Minor Services near Ely in Cambs has been used by several Minors on Tour attendees and has a good reputation, but perhaps because of that you might be waiting in a queue for a while.

Quest Brothers in St Ives, Cambs have done welding on my car and a couple of bigger restorations of Minors over the last year or so. They're my local go-to at the moment and handle everything from Minors to fancy pants E-Types. One thing that impressed me with their work was the interior detail, a lot of places can get the outside of the car right but then let themselves down with the bit you actually sit in!

Stephen at Mostly Minors over to the west near Gloucester is great and has been doing it for years. Including pioneering some interesting modifications. He helped me with a slightly bespoke 5-speed conversion and chassis leg repair.

There are some twins up in Scotland near Dundee I know that work at incredible speed and quality when it comes to metal work and paint. I believe they've done some work with the Dundee transport museum. My car's inner wings owe their integrity to those guys, plus the lovely bonnet shine and door repair.

Then there is ESM and Charles Ware who you would have noticed already. I have no experience with them outside of parts supply though.

Hope that helps, I haven't lived in the north of England (yet?) so haven't had to do the leg work to find somewhere there yet.
68' 4-door Saloon, another 'Monty'.
Pete Bags
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Re: Where to repair my Traveller

Post by Pete Bags »

I have had work done by Chertsey Minors who are based just off the M25 in Surrey. The two chaps who run Chertsey Minors are old school with huge amounts of skill and knowledge, and their rates are extremely reasonable. I did quite a bit of research before I went to them, and I'm very happy with their work - I'm quite particular who get their hands on my old lady!

www.chertseyminors.co.uk 01923 568822

I have no connection with them apart from being a satisfied customer!
ampwhu
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Re: Where to repair my Traveller

Post by ampwhu »

Des911 wrote: Thu Jul 08, 2021 7:22 am I know the feeling at 70.

Good luck with finding somewhere, when I asked I got no replies. I live in Nottingham.
there is a classic car restorer in Lincolnshire near to Heckington who may do the work. He is an A30/A35 specialist but does do other cars.
GPO_Van
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Re: Where to repair my Traveller

Post by GPO_Van »

Thank you all for your Replies
Lots of things to chew over, I'm willing to go anywhere if it gets a good job done, it is not a case of money is no object, but I'm willing to pay what it takes to get a good job.
I think I'll ring up those recommendations and see what they have to say, I noticed ESM mentioned, they have been very helpful over parts in the past and pleasant to deal with.

Thanks again to all of you.
Reg
simmitc
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Re: Where to repair my Traveller

Post by simmitc »

If distance really is no object, then as I wrote previously, Cambridgeshore & the South Coast, I would recommend Ian Allen Minor Services in Ely, ESM and Woodies. All advertise in Minor Matters. Not recommending others is simply that I don't have personal experience of using them.
James k
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Re: Where to repair my Traveller

Post by James k »

The Morris Minor Workshop (ESM) do fantastic work. Quite expensive but really professional service and a pleasure to deal with. I've tried getting work done cheaper and I always regret it. If it's not something I can do myself, I'd rather pay to get it done by someone who actually knows the cars inside out.
GPO_Van
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Re: Where to repair my Traveller

Post by GPO_Van »

Hello
I have booked my traveller in for the required work after taking onboard your advice.
I've tried googling several Variations off "taking out insurance in case of damage to a vintage car being repaired in a garage" and the information is all about after you have had damage done, so to take the MMOC advise, can anyone give me the name of a suitable insurance company? ERS who do my Traveller are not able to do it.
Thanks
Reg
Classiccars
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Re: Where to repair my Traveller

Post by Classiccars »

Bristol classic car restoration if you are prepared to travel.Have a look on website. Doing amazing work there.
Grumpy21
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Re: Where to repair my Traveller

Post by Grumpy21 »

Hi Reg, just seen this thread. I’d be interested to know who you’ve decided to use (pm if you prefer). I’m near Chester and have sent mine to a tiny place based just outside the city. I’ve used them before and the lads in the club have used them quite extensively. No one has had a bad word to say about their work but they are slow. They’ve done a few minors and travellers that I know of and lots of other classics but their bread and butter is repairing light accident work so the Morris gets a lower priority hence the time taken. It’s been there a month now and I expect another couple of weeks yet.
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