"Ye Olde Moggy"

[khyndart in CA]

There does not seem to be much on this forums except for the "Morrari" about a vehicle that many of us were around when growing up, either a visit from the "aunties", working on them as apprentice mechanics etc.They got left behind to Minis and Anglias etc..and they were not very cool but I have fond memories of the "Moggy". ( Morris Minor )
Some still argue what the G stands for in MoWoG from either Garages, Group or the G from MG but there is no doubt the Morris Minor is a classic and I am glad it did not go with the original idea of being called a Morris Mosquito !
I was blessed to buy a Moggy 1000 in 1972 to trundle around London. It looked like the one featured in the BBC series
"Call the Midwife" but although mine wasn't used for that it was not through lack of trying ! Although my 983ELD Minor did not compete it certainly went to a lot of races while I had it and was a regular taxi from the Trojan cafeteria to the Trojan Racing workshop in Croydon transporting staff such as Patrick Head and Barry Sheene, VDS Team members, Graham Donaldson plus Neil Doyle and showing Donn Anderson and Graeme Lawrence around when they visited in 1973.

Outside 34 Outram Rd, Croydon. Christmas 1972.


The Moggy 983 ELD at Trojan Racing in a Stirling Moss autographed photo.
Bob Evans posing by his Trojan F 5000 car a brand new T101


(Ken Hyndman )

[khyndart in CA]

One thing about a Minor is that you could just take off the hubcaps and go have fun such as this photo from South Africa shows.
Put on a number 9, put some friends in the front and back and away you go.



If any one wants to add to this thread with a Morris Minor story please do.
Ken H

[Milan Fistonic]

Ray Willis at a Chamberlain Road Hillclimb in the mid-seventies.

[ERC]

A sad one I'm afraid. Back in the mid 1960's I was involved in the UK's first Scout and Guide Group. The bubbly lady who was in charge of the Guides had a ratty old Morris Minor convertible.

When she changed jobs and became a Probation Officer, she updated to a VW Beetle. Early in 1970, she was killed in a head on car crash. The other car was - you've guessed, a Morris Minor.

The company my dad worked for had a Morris Minor Ute. He brought it home a few times and I had the pleasure of driving it to the local filling station - 3 doors away... It lived outside and Dad used to leave a small paraffin (kerosene) heater underneath in winter and then started it on the starting handle. It always fired first time as do most A series engines.

My brother, who played drums, had two Morris Minor Travellers as they were ideal for carrying his kit. Nicknamed 'Bullit'...

Followers of the UK Coronation Street will be aware of 'Roy Cropper's' Minor Traveller - immaculate but fitted with highback seats!

Who could forget Lovejoy's Convertible - 'Miriam'? Alloy wheels and sporty exhaust.

[Roger Dowding]

My mate Richards car, he was given it as his first car by his Grandmother ..' Morrie " Think " Minor ' was painted in silver on the passenger side of the dashboard.
Photos at Muriwai on the sand and New Lynn, in our driveway ..
Note the silver stripes,made the car go faster .. another " Tui Yeah Right " comment,

[khyndart in CA]

In 1959, English driver Harry Ratcliffe, was wringing out all he could in the 1 litre class in his Moggy against drivers such as a young Brian Redman who was also in a Morris Minor except his was a Traveller version! Harry was a skilled engineer and driver and his engine work was sought by many. He went on to a successful career racing Minis on the track as well as at the Monte Carlo Rally etc.

DRIVER : HARRY RATCLIFFE
CAR : 1956 MORRIS MINOR 1000 'PDK 495'
ENGINE : BMC A-series increased to 962cc from 948cc
PERIOD ACTIVE :
1959-1962


Harry sadly passed away last year at age 80 but he will be fondly remembered by all those who knew him.


(Ken H )

[Paul B]

I learned to drive (or bunny hop) in a 1959 Morrie grinder. Great car, it ran on the smell of an oily rag.

[khyndart in CA]

in 1967 England saw their version of the Morrari when Mike Bennion raced his Series 1 Minor in Super-saloon races.
It had a Chevy 4.7 V-8 with Jaguar suspension and gearbox. It was a mean machine.



note the tyres and wheels are a little bit wider than the Morrari wire wheels.


(Ken H)

[ERC]

Harry Ratcliffe drove the British Vita Mini extremely successfully in hill-climbs. Very highly developed car as I remember. The other really hot hillclimbed Mini was Mike Flather

I have posted this one before. Supercharged Jaguar 3.8 engine. Driving style was straight out of the 'Mark Parson's Book of Spectacular Cornering'. Later, the supercharger was removed. I wonder why?

[Paul B]

in 1967 England saw their version of the Morrari when Mike Bennion raced his Series 1 Minor in Super-saloon races.
It had a Chevy 4.7 V-8 with Jaguar suspension and gearbox. It was a mean machine.



note the tyres and wheels are a little bit wider than the Morrari wire wheels.


(Ken H)

Gee Ken, You really have found a ripper there, That is uber cool! right up there with the Morrari!
Is that the Terry Sanger 289V8 Mk1 Cortina behind?
Great find!
Cheers

[khyndart in CA]

Paul,
In 1967 that Mk1 Cortina was driven by Doc Merfield before he sold it to Brian Bolton.
It had a Ford Windsor 289 V-8 engine.
These cars must have been fun to drive.
A "Moggy" on steroids leading the way !

Ken

[khyndart in CA]

I thought it was time to throw in a bit of a "Moggy" movie for all to enjoy;





(Ken H )

[khyndart in CA]

James Funnell raced this slightly modified Minor on English circuits in "Special Saloon" events from 1978 - 1993.
It was always powered by a FORD COSWORTH BDA 1.3 engine
The car evolved quite a lot over the years , growing side pods and cut down removable doors as the whole hood was turned into a `clam shell` hinged at the back.

How the car looked in 1978.


After later development, note the doors and rear spoiler etc.


As the Funnell "Moggy" looked in 1992. (Graham Heath photo )




(Ken H)

[khyndart in CA]

This is a very competitive race in 1992 won by Bill Stone driving a Morris Minor.
Is that the NZ Bill Stone from Ngaruawahia ?

Pre 1957 Classic Saloon Car Championship Race Mallory Park 3rd May 1992.



I enjoyed going to Mallory Park as you could see almost the whole track.(If it wasn't too foggy !)

(Ken H)

[Oldfart]

Good film Ken, that yellow Zephyr now lives in Kerikeri.

[Paul B]

yes great film Ken, the Funnell morri is cool.
Here is a Morri in drag mode

[Grant Ellwood]

This is a very competitive race in 1992 won by Bill Stone driving a Morris Minor.
Is that the NZ Bill Stone from Ngaruawahia ?

Pre 1957 Classic Saloon Car Championship Race Mallory Park 3rd May 1992.



I enjoyed going to Mallory Park as you could see almost the whole track.(If it wasn't too foggy !)

(Ken H)

Ken, hope you are safe from the wildfires that are working their way south, I checked my map and think the fires are more inland but you probably can see the glow. Cheers, Grant

[khyndart in CA]

Thanks Grant,
We live about 50 miles north of where these vicious fires are. Some of my workmates are very close to the fires and very concerned tonight and are trying to protect their properties and animals etc. We hope and pray it does not get any worse but we will only know more when the daylight comes in the morning. Scary times.
Ken

[John McKechnie]

yes great film Ken, the Funnell morri is cool.
Here is a Morri in drag mode

now thats neat, good one paul

[Paul B]

Its ^^^ torque twisting sooo much on the launch that the left front wheel has disappeared upwards. I suppose they don't call it Minor Insanity for nothing! Looks like the driver is siting in the back seat.
I think its from Oaklahoma USA, Its on Face book.
Also looks like it may have had an under hood fire at some stage.

I still like Ken's Morri post #8 - that is a beast with a 283 Chev in it.
Ken your right, they would be huge fun to drive.
You win so far Ken. The heat is on for more Morri pics!