Rosie the Morris Minor

Rosie the Morris Minor: A Purple Dream in the Making

Meet Rosie, our 1964 Morris Minor (61 years old – it was registered on 13th January 1964), a classic British icon with a big future ahead of her. The Morris Minor, launched in 1948, was designed by Sir Alec Issigonis (who also designed the Mini!) and was revolutionary for its time. It boasted features like monocoque construction (meaning the body is the main structural element), torsion bar front suspension, and rack-and-pinion steering, giving it surprisingly good handling for a small car. It became incredibly popular in Britain and around the world, known for its reliability, practicality, and charming appearance.

Rosie, however, has seen better days. Years of faithful service have taken their toll, and she’s now in need of some serious TLC. But don’t worry, we have big plans! This isn’t just a quick fix; it’s a full-on rolling restoration, a project of passion that we expect to take a year or two (or maybe more!).

The Restoration Roadmap

Our goal is to transform Rosie into a reliable, safe, and stylish classic with a touch of modern practicality. Here’s what’s on the agenda:

• Rust Removal and Bodywork: The biggest challenge is tackling the dreaded tin worm. We’ll be focusing on removing all rust, especially around the rear inner wings, a common weak spot on Minors. The boot lid is beyond repair, so we’ll be replacing it entirely with a new one.
• A Splash of Purple: Anna has always dreamed of a purple Morris Minor, so Rosie will be getting a full respray in a beautiful shade of purple.
• Stance and Style: To give Rosie a more modern and sporty look, we’ll be fitting Minilite wheels and a lowering kit. This will improve handling and give her a more aggressive stance.
• Suspension and Brakes: For improved handling and safety, we’ll be fitting new rear leaf springs and upgrading the front suspension with Spax shock absorbers. We’ll also be installing disc brakes for much-improved stopping power.
• Underbody Protection: To prevent future rust issues, we’ll be applying underbody protection to shield Rosie from the elements.
• Electrical and Mechanical Upgrades: We’re also planning a number of modern upgrades for increased reliability and convenience:
  • Alternator conversion kit: For a more reliable electrical system.
  • Brake servo: For easier braking.
  • Reversing light kit: For improved visibility when reversing.
  • Inertia reel seat belts: For enhanced safety.
  • New front seats: For improved comfort.
  • LED headlamp kit: For brighter and safer nighttime driving.
• Already Done: We’ve already made a good start by fitting electronic ignition, sorting out the fuel system, and correctly setting the timing.
• Gauges: The speedo is currently temperamental, and there’s no petrol gauge, so we’ll be addressing these issues to ensure accurate readings and adding new gauges to monitor temperature and oil pressure.

The Bigger Picture

This isn’t just about restoring a car; it’s about creating something special that we can all enjoy. Once Rosie is road-worthy, we plan to use her for a variety of purposes:

• Farm Duties: The addition of a tow bar will allow us to use Rosie for light duties around the farm, like transporting wood.
• Family Adventures: During the summer, we plan to take Abi and Mia on trips, and we’re even considering buying a small trailer tent for some camping adventures!

This is a rolling restoration, which means it will be an ongoing process. We’ll be sharing updates as we progress, so stay tuned for more news on Rosie’s transformation. It’s going to be a fun journey!

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