morris minor 1000 traveller

The Morris Minor 1000. Not exactly at the top of everybody's fantasy garage, especially in Traveller guise.

However, this is my baby. It was first registered in January 1962 and has been in our family since 1975, used as a daily driver until 1985 by my Grandmother and Mother. Originally purchased by my mother sporting wide wheels, flared arches, go-kart style steering wheel and a tuned twin-carb engine, surprising a few moderns as she raced by.

I took over ownership at the ripe old age of 16, with encouraging words from my mum. "If you want a car, there it is. You just need to put it back together".

So that I did, and it passed its first MOT a few weeks after my 17th birthday. Slowly but surely during daily usage and attending numerous shows, I replaced the non-standard items. Following an unkind act where every panel was keyed, it was time for a re-spray which was done by a friend and although not in a professional workshop, the result was fantastic. With most of the interior re-trimmed by my fair hand, and although not to concours standard, she became my pride & joy.

Being a novice mechanic the engine lasted all of 4 years, which coincided nicely with the purchase of my first home. Naturally the car played second fiddle to the new house and sat unused in a garage. This tradition continued to the next house, where the garage was not dissimilar to a sieve, so deterioration began.

Last year she emerged into the sunlight, cleaned up, MOT'd and attended the Morris Minor Owner Club National Rally. Still on the same old engine she took the journey down to the New Forrest in her stride. Nearly making it all the way back too.

She has since been treated to a new engine, shed load of welding and runs like a dream. Unfortunately the bodywork is not as it was when she was first parked up, but in time I will replace the original wood and treat her to a full re-spray.

Of course that will all happen after I finish decorating, gardening, building.......

Mark Borthwick
August 2006