Startup and drive of my 1961 Morris Minor

[@Ampex196]

I like the idea of a sedate 1961 Morris Minor especially with said Marina improvements (a Borg Warner 35 would be nice). We agree that they were not designed for speed so why push the limits? The nearest I've owned is my beloved Marina 1.8TC Coupe (BVH141K). The B series fed by twin SUs' made lovely noises and it was quick! Keeping it on the road could be a challenge but it was always fun. I'm eternally grateful for the combination of extreme understeer, axle tramp and predictable oversteer. Such anomalies taught me how to drive. The fact that modern cars are much more forgiving is surely a double edged sword.

[@itsmephil2255]

What engine is under the bonnet??

[@TheMorriedog]

It's a 1300 cc Morris Marina engine from about 1975 (including the gearbox and rear axle). Still an A-Series but a bit more powerful than the standard Morris Minor 1000.

[@itsmephil2255]

TheMorriedog a good power upgrade making it more usable? I'd love to drop a 1.8/20lt twin cam with a 5speed and uprated back k axle....but it all comes down to money

[@TheMorriedog]

Yeah, the Marina engine is very torquey, so it's very drivable and mostly keeps up with modern traffic, although I have to flog it most of the time. A bigger engine would be fun, although I'd also like to build a tuned up Marina engine as it should be possible to get 80 HP or so. That would still not be fast by modern standards, but if you had a lot more power you would probably need major suspension modifications too. The Minor handles pretty well for a 1949 design, but it was never designed for serious speed or power!

[@itsmephil2255]

TheMorriedog but that's where you build handling into the minor,lower and fit uprated suspension

[@RobinTheMini]

Rides nicely. Do you keep drum brakes all around? @@TheMorriedog

[@thatsnotright7260]

hey where abouts in Nz is this? :)

[@thatsnotright7260]

Also, how did you do your rev counter with the positive earth of the vehicle? cheers

[@TheMorriedog]

North west of Auckland.

[@TheMorriedog]

This one is negative earth; I think all the Morris 1000s were, and this one has the Lucas alternator from the Marina so no generator or mechanical regulator.

[@thatsnotright7260]

Oh wow me too ,how awesome. Im in Hillsborough/Lynfield. Do you still drive your minor around much?