Can you help with Brigg Blog's researches into the Morris Minor car? I recall during my time with the Lincolnshire and South Humberside Times (perhaps 1982/3) a female colleague writing a page one story about a firm in the Bridge Street/Forester Street/James Street area of town which refurbished Morris Minors or perhaps their engines. I think the main point of the story was they had orders flooding in from all over, including the Middle East. What was the firm? Who ran it? And for how long did they make money out of people's passion for this reliable runabout?
We are interested because, 50 years ago this week, the millionth "Moggy Thou" rolled off the production line. The national press has used the milestone as an opportunity to write about this iconic vehicle (during a slack New Year for news), so why shouldn't we? Especially in view of the Brigg connection previously mentioned.
We'd also like to hear your memories of owning such a family car in Brigg and district. Lots were about - saloons and estates. We'll leave our man Ken to post comments about the Morris 1000 being the brainchild of (Sir) Alec Issigonis, later to really hit the headlines with the Mini - symbol of the Swinging Sixties.
I know with car collectors, the Moggies with the split front screen are very popular. I also seem to remember the very early models had running-boards - if you don't know what they are, Scribs check them out - and symaphor indicators that popped in and out of the door-frame. If they get stuck the driver would hammer the opposite side of the door-frame, obviously from the inside.
ReplyDeleteMy first car was a 1958 Ford Prefect 100e; my friend had a Moggy. Both had similar performances, by the Moggy hds electically operated windscreen wipers and operated perfectly; mine operated via an air vacuum tank under the bonnet and fed by the engine. The faster I went, the slower the wipers went - do 40mph and the wopers stood still.
In heavy downpours all Prefect drivers were driving about around 20 mph in 2nd gear, while Moggies were unaffected. (also remember most cars were 3 gears)
Some time later and another friend - he has a Moggy convertible - I jumped in the pasenger seat and sat in an enormous puddle - there had been rain and there was a rip directly above the passenger seat.
They were very reliable....probably the worst thing being the wooden coachwork on the Traveller.
The wood use to rot and in turn the adjoing bodywork would rust.
The wooden coachwork idea was transferred to the Mini-Clubman - an estate version of the Mini - with similar medium/long problems.
I think the Moggies were meant to counter the Vw Beetle.....relative to size one got a lot of bodywork wrapped round a small engine...starting around 850cc.
A number of features on the later version of the Moggy were carried over to the Mini's - both had a big, centred speedo and some of the switches were the same. And I think both the later version (60's) of the Moggy and the early version of the Mini had a 4 speed gear-bos - big selling point in the 60's.
Before we coined the term 'an estate car', such cars, when I was a tiny little lad were called 'shooting-brakes'.
Our Uncle Bert had a 'shooting-brake' and we all went to the seaside.
I think 'shooting-brake' related to the long boot area especially suitable for golfers and those going on a duck-shoot....my mum and my uncle Ken use to talk about sitting in a 'dicky-seat' when they were tiddlers. These were supernumary seats that dropped down from a top-opening boot lid and essenailly outside the car.
Imagining having dicky seats now, there'd be little ankle-grippers scattered about the highway.....but the advantage would be that you wouldn't hear that irritating. 'I'm bored! Are we there, yet?'!!!!
I seem to recall a small concern near the site of the extant Whelpton garage in that area.
ReplyDeleteI can't quite recall whether it was in/along the back road to the site which was to become the building reclamation yard run by Robinson and aided by the guy who runs/ran the reclamation yard on Island Carr - Robinson went to Blyton to open similar yard and ???? (you know him, Nige) took over the Brigg site in the mid 80's.
He, whatever his name is, should be able to tell you, Scribs.
However, there is a small specialist workshop/garage operating from an old ?chapel building in a corner within the same generale area. I understand they specialise in BMW/Merc-type engines.
Just another thought, Scribs.....haven't been along the road for ages. must be at least 4 years....but I seem to remember that the garage at Greetwell X-roads - from Scawby - now/then specialises in classic cars.
ReplyDeleteFrom my time, starting in the 80's, it's progressed from a garage showroom; then a 4x4 base then classic.....
I think it may be called Classic Auto, or similar Kirton Road, Greewell.
Could be worth a visit and would they be related to the concern that migrated from Brigg?
PA Autos
ReplyDelete52, Kirton Road, Greetwell, Brigg
DN20 0HT
tel: 01652 650291
web: http://www.paautos.co.uk
John Pridmore is the gentleman who had the garage on engine street dealing with the the moggy's. He lived on Churchill Ave.
ReplyDeleteMany happy holiday memories of travelling the country in a green morris one thousand traveller (EFE 378E) bought by my parents from the garage at Barnetby Top, now Barney's Cafe. Eventually sold to John when the floor had more holes the swiss cheese.