5 replies to this topic

[montyc]

Good evening all.

Recently I have been yearning for something a little older and bigger then my '89 mini 998. I love the mini but am always a bit frustrated when wanting to go on longer trips with the family.

Both my wife and me like pre-war Morris minors, Morris 8,and Austin 10, and the deal is that I can have one but I would have to sell the mini.

Does anyone here have one that they use (semi) regularly with any genuine advice? I am mechanically savvy, happy to do work and I know that these cars are slower and require a lot more tlc then even the oldest minis.

Grateful for any thoughts and opinions

[Homersimpson]

Personally for me anything pre war tends to be too slow and the brakes too poor for regular use or long trips on a regular basis.

 

I've always found that late 1950's onwards was when cars started to get to being more comparable to modern cars in terms of their performance and braking and even those that aren't can be upgraded fairly easily (morris minors, A30/A35 etc.).

[mab01uk]

Pre-war classic cars tend to be cheaper because the generation that have nostalgia for them are dying off. They are also as said above, not much fun to drive on modern roads, with poor handling, poor roadholding, slow acceleration and very poor brakes, not to mention zero crash safety for a family trip (not even seat belts). Nice to look at in a show or museum.....

 

The reason the Mini as a late 1950's design has spanned so many generations is that it was ahead of its time in performance, handling and roadholding, so with decent brakes and power upgrades from later models it is a reasonable drive in modern traffic......allowing for the fact that noise refinement, crash safety and the lack of a 5th gear for motorway driving are some of the disadvantages.

Edited by mab01uk, 22 May 2022 - 08:56 AM.

[bpirie1000]

I would suggest going to hunt for a local club first. Go on a trip with them speak to the owners/drivers. See what their issues are before comitment.....

Many owners will tell you the pit falls and also ask their familys..... the time these pre war cars soak up is amazing.....

Most folks come back to minis eventually.....

[Ethel]

Austin 1300 VDP? 

 

Still plenty of chrome & wood with familiar mechanicals.

[sonscar]

And a familiar helping of the brown stuff to keep you busy.Steve..