Classic cars forum & vehicle restoration.

steammart · Joined: 11 Apr 2011 Posts: 27

Hi All

For those that did not see my introduction, a few months ago i purchased a morris 8. I was told that it had been parked up in 1970 and not moved since (this has since been backed up by a fellow Morris 8 owner)

She was a non-runner but with a bit a fiddeling i managed to get her running. Everying worked to my suprise, guages showed she had oil pressure that dynamo was charging and even the lights worked.

I have now begun the long process of a full restoration. This is my first car restoration and i am relatively young (23) so it will no doubt be a learing curve too. Due to work, and other hobbys (miniature traction engines) my time on the car will be limited, but i will try and keep this updated with progress or the lack of it.

So enough of my rubbish and now i will show you some pictures of 'Pearl' as she now has been named. All comments welcomed.

Cheers

Martin

steammart · Joined: 11 Apr 2011 Posts: 27

This is where 'pearl' sat for 41 years under this car port in a little village nr Middlesbrough.

just a few of her condition

and loading her up (thats my ugly mug in the photo)

Rick · Site Admin Joined: 27 Apr 2005 Posts: 22449 Location: UK

Can't beat a proper cob-webby car find like that, look forward to reading about things as they progress Smile

RJ
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peter scott · Joined: 18 Dec 2007 Posts: 7119 Location: Edinburgh

Well it may have a bit of rust but the seats have beautiful patina which is much more difficult to recreate if they had been missing or beyond repair.

Peter.
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doug · Joined: 12 Aug 2008 Posts: 128 Location: s. w. scotland

It honestly looks pretty fresh!! Keep the photos coming of progress.

pryantcc · Joined: 07 Sep 2009 Posts: 88

I agree, the seats look great! In the third photo, is that some kind of luggage rack on the back?

The best of luck with the restoration, looking forward to following your progress! Very Happy

steammart · Joined: 11 Apr 2011 Posts: 27

Forgot to say pearl is a 2 door sliding head saloon black/green.

I am going to try and keep the interior as original as possible. the back seat isn't very clever though (will post pic later)

pryantcc - Yep certainly is a lugage rack (i am told it is the 'rarer' type fitted to the morris 8's)

Few more before i begun

To get her running a temporary fuel tank was rigged up. points changed, cleaned carb and a bit of tinkering, and hey presto!

pictures of her running with her lights working after all those years

Cheers

Marty

PAUL BEAUMONT · Joined: 27 Nov 2007 Posts: 1281 Location: Barnsley S. Yorks

Cracking find! Great to see someone under 25 interested in a real motor car and not some mass produced junk or something with an exhaust the size of a bucket.
The very best of luck with it!

Paul

Rick · Site Admin Joined: 27 Apr 2005 Posts: 22449 Location: UK

Great little car, running, lights, not far off from an MOT Smile

!!

Very similar to Bob T's Morris before he started, worth looking out the thread if you've not seen it.

RJ
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Nic Jarman · Posted: Wed Aug 03, 2011 7:20 pm Post subject:

Ah that brings back memories! MOT for mine on friday.
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1936 Morris 8 Series 1
1973 MGB roadster
1977 MG Midget 1500
Dax Rush

Roger-hatchy · Joined: 07 Dec 2007 Posts: 2135 Location: Tiptree, Essex

steammart · Joined: 11 Apr 2011 Posts: 27

With work and going to steam rallys i havent got much done on pearl, but this is how she is at the moment.

She currently looks like this

The rear arches and accross the back of the body had fibre glass all over, i knew it wouldnt be hiding anything good, but tin worm has well and truely got hold of her and then been bodged up.

before:

some of what i removed

and the degree of the tin worm

Well thats it for now

within the next couple of weeks should be able to tackle her a bit more

Cheers

Martin

Rick · Site Admin Joined: 27 Apr 2005 Posts: 22449 Location: UK

good to read the update, rot where the rear wings bolt on is pretty common I think with most cars of this age. Look forward to future progress reports Smile

RJ
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Kelsham · Posted: Thu Sep 22, 2011 9:24 am Post subject: rot box

Look on the bright side, the fibre glass repairs probably saved her for you today.
Back in the 1960s it was considered a perfectly acceptable way to repair old bangers.
Happy days.

Just do a little at a time, it is surprising how you will make progress.
I try to do work on my projects at least three times a week.
A couple of hours at a time. Usually time worked extends once I begin.

Regards Kels.

Nic Jarman · Posted: Fri Sep 23, 2011 8:55 am Post subject:

It always looks a lot worse than it is. Don't try to lift the body by yourself. I am looking forward to your posts. Good luck.
_________________
1936 Morris 8 Series 1
1973 MGB roadster
1977 MG Midget 1500
Dax Rush