Classic cars forum & vehicle restoration.

[Norfolkandchance]

Hi Guys,

Well after much to'ing and fro'ing I cant seem to get Moggy Minor's out of my system and have decided that is the way I am gonna go.

Opinions on these please...

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1&item=120171511353&ssPageName=STRK:MEWA:IT&ih=002

or

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1&item=260171114868&ssPageName=STRK:MEWA:IT&ih=016

thanks.

[Rick]

First one looks very nice, the second is a conversion so I'd be avoiding that one I think....either way it'd be worthwhile getting someone who is savvy about MMs to have a look, including underneath to assess the quality of the work done.

Rick
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[Uncle Joe]

I would partially agree with you Rick. Get someone who knows about Moggies to look at them, starting with the second one. If the conversion has been done properly, then theres no reason to shy away from it, assuming it can be bought for 2k. Thats a lot of money to save over the other one (assuming they get 4k), and does give a bit of scope for those repairs that are always needed....

Uncle Joes top tip: If it gleams and looks like a bargain, walk away!

UJ

[Rick]

Hmm gotta disagree , with lots of proper ones around it makes little sense buying a home-made convertible, even if it is a bit cheaper. It'll always be trickier to sell on later, and the insurance side might be a problem.

Especially for a first classic, always buy the best example within your budget. Ok the first one may be very shiny and a pup underneath, but I'd at least look into that one further. The home-made ragtop I'd dismiss, for a first time classic buy, simply because it is home-made, and only a seasoned old-car owner/tinkerer could have a hope of assessing how well the conversion has been done. This also applies to how well the first one has been restored, hence my suggestion to get someone to have a look at it.

Rick
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[Uncle Joe]

Good points Rick.

I fully agree that an expert should look at them. By expert, I dont mean someone that knows about cars, someone that knows about Moggies.

My reasoning is though, if the converted one has been done PROPERLY, then there is a chance that it would be a bargain, simply because others will think the same as you do. No interest = lower price!

But to go against myself a little, if you have the 4k plus a little for the repairs it WILL need, and they always do, go for that as a first choice.

UJ

[Norfolkandchance]

Have emailed the person on the 4K one to go and view and if I like it will get a proper inspection done before I part with cash.

[Rick]

great stuff, let us know how you get on

have a good look under the carpets to see if it has had lots of welding done, and inside the boot floor/inner wing areas, also if you can see if its had much done where the rear spring hangers are located underneath at the back. Its bound to have had some welding by now, so the thing to look for is how cleanly its been done, etc. The state of these areas will be a good barometer on how good/bad/indifferent the rest of the car, and the work thats been done, is.

Rick
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[Norfolkandchance]

Cheers for the pointers Rick.

Got to be there 3pm Saturday afternoon, I'm all excited now!

Been on the MMOC site and printed off their sheet on points to look at too but any other suggestions welcome...

[UKdave2002]

Which ever MM you go for, ask if you can take the sill covers off, they bolt on and enable you to look at the inner sills (10 min job per side).

Also jack the car up on its jacking point, which is right in the centre of the car and watch the door gap at the top of the door, if it moves more than 5mm , walk away or renegotiate.

Have a good prod round the rear spring hangers, it’s a common area to rust (but not difficult or expensive to repair)

A non factory conversion can be as good as a factory one, there are a couple of additional strengthening plates welded in, just like they factory ones did, but the sill has an additional member in it which is difficult to do on a conversion as you have to remove the inner sills to get this additional bit of metal in, many of the conversions have an addition plate welded over the inner sill, and there is a lot of debate as to how effective this is. At the end of the day it is a straight forward job to replace the sills but is time and money. If you take the sill covers off you will be able to see this plate, have a look in some MM catalogues so you know what you are looking for. I have seen original convertible factory cars that have had a sill replacement, but the saloon sill bits have been incorrectly used, so watch for this.

One other thing to look at is the door fit, they are rarely brilliant on moggys, but you do see some really awful ones.

Have a prod at the bottom of the rear side panel (where it meets the sill) these are often full of filler.

They can and do rust just about everwhere, many cars will have plates welded over corrosion, you will need to satisfy yourself about the quality of these repairs, and they will often be covered with underseal.

I would tend to go for a £2k car that has a full mot and passes the criteria above, rather than a £4k car which you will probably end up paying the same in repairs on in the long term.

Cheers Dave

[Norfolkandchance]

Well the car got sold for £3800 before I got to see it, so I am on the lookout for another. Got all winter to find the one so am in no rush.

[buzzy bee]

Hi

Selling it before you saw it even though you organised to see it, that is quite poor of the seller in my oppinion. If I was the seller you having arrange to see it should have had the first refusal.

Anyway, I am sure you will find something soon, best to buy in winter, as people aren't on the look out for classics to buy to get to the shows so can be a bit cheaper!

Is it definateley a saloon you want, or woud you think about a small comercial?

Cheers

Dave

[Norfolkandchance]

got my heart set on a Moggy soft top now.