The object of this website, is to show my chosen retirement project ,as it develops, and hopefully follow it through to a logical conclusion.
I am hoping that by the conclusion of this project, I will have produced a fully renovated "Historical" car , with as much work as possible done by me personally.
I am calling this act a renovation- rather than using the terms- reconstruction-restoration-rejuvenation- repair - or even an overhaul,as I am hoping to use as much of the original parts as possible, but being sensible about quality and ease of use.
Any short-fall in my physical capabilities, will be picked up by our Son Andrew, and Daughter Kathryn who have already made a most wonderful contribution to assist me in my " hours of need."
There will no doubt be the odd steep learning curve for me to climb ie welding skills for one, and the useful employment of some additional "skill assister's" helping me along the way . No doubt there will be the odd "farming out of jobs" when a serious skill shortfall occurs.
But the general idea is to spend as much of my time "wisely and enjoyably" throughout the whole journey, even when the "physicals" get in the way.
The fact that I am helping to preserve an historical car,which would have otherwise vanished into oblivion,. gives me a feeling of great delight. Last ammendments carried out (09-06-2012)(18-08-2012)
This is my very first ever website effort. I hope it will provide a written and pictoral record of the rescue of this car ,during my retirement years.
I want to openly acknowledge that this website is only in being, due to the very great assistance and quality coaching , from "BigAl." (Alan Graham) a Morris Minor Owner himself and member of the morrisminorowners.co.uk forum.
Alan has unstintingly persevered with me-"a self confessed 'puter dinosaur", to help me tell my story. I never thought it was possible to record my story in this way. I hope this may provide assistance ,and or, entertainment to others who are maybe planning a similar journey-which will show my "warts and all".
I am receiving free technical advice from forum members on www.morrisminorowners.co.uk, also the Ozmorris forum, I also browse the morris minor owners club and the morrisdownunder websites, all of which are most excellent sources of reference and expertise.
It is hoped that my comments on here will also help produce a clutter free project rescue record.
This record, unlike the posts on various forums, will not contain all the questions and answers to my many and varied problems.
Just the "facts" will be shown,and solutions which are encountered during my efforts.
"A life spent learning from your mistakes ,is not only more honourable,but is far more useful, than just doing nothing" .
" These personal notes, and all items shown are amalgamations of ideas I've seen ,in Garages and on the internet. Whilst everything shown was well tried, tested, and worked well for me-no safety is implied."
I hope all of this is of use to someone.
The first day of "Project Phoenix" on her 50th Birthday-09-02-10- waiting patiently to be renovated in her new home, my tiny garage. The "long" journey begins.
12-12-12.-Sadly due to circumstances well beyond my control,connected to heath issues,I have had to change my intentions. I am now doing a Rolling refurbishment of a very similar car to the one above-please read on if interested.
This is the last picture taken,as "Phoenix" was being secured on the trailer that took her away to Leeds.
Friday 18-01-2013
Here is the new (old) car, another Series 3 Morris Minor from 1959,a 4 door saloon with a standard original 948cc engine.
The car has its original Trafficators (semaphore arms) all working, but has been adapted with flasher indicators. It also has seat belts front and rear. It needs a little tlc which I shall be very pleased to help with.So this is the new "Retirement Project".
It's a pity I couldn't have started the "Phoenix Project" the year before I retired,maybe I would have been able to cope,and have finished it.
Still that's all behind us now,I'll just kid myself on ,that the aim of this new retirement hobby car, is to drive it every day the Sun is out and I am able to.
Here's BAS (Mr Faulty) he's now on my front drive,as happy as Larry and twice as clean.
The name of BAS is a defo given as they say But the Mr Faulty-well that's a whole new story. It all stems from the very first meeting on the 13-3-13 I should have guessed not to collect a car on the 13th.
The name of BAS is a defo given as they say But the Mr Faulty-well that's a whole new story. It all stems from the very first meeting on the 13-3-13 I should have guessed not to collect a car on the 13th.