Mk1 Traveller - What to look for...

[Steve_mcmaster]

Hi All..

I currently have a late 90s MPI, but have always hankered after an early traveller. I've found a 66 all steel for sale, which, externally at least, looks in good nick.

I'm arranging to go and see it in the next week or so, so wondered if any of you learned group would have any views of traveller specific areas to look for when assessing the car - hens teeth type parts which are hard to get hold of / specific areas of rot etc.

I'm not after a perfect car, as it's likely to be lightly modified (engine / front discs etc), but keeping it road friendly and as standard looking as possible.

Thanks in advance for your advice.
Steve

[woodypup59]

Pretty much the same as a saloon.

Sills, floors, wings, front panel, A posts etc the normal rot spots.

Difficult parts to find are rear door seals, the rear side window retainer frame.

Pull up the trim in the rear pockets and look. You should see clean metal like this.

[Steve_mcmaster]

Brilliant - thank you. Are trim parts like door cards / carpet sets easy to get hold of - I think Newton stocks them, but not obvious from the web-site...

[surfblue63]

Newtons do everything for the Traveller, just click on the icon

https://newtoncomm.co.uk/pages/classic- ... erior-trim

Also M-Machine do the panels

http://preview.m-machine.co.uk/wp-conte ... or-web.pdf

[Steve_mcmaster]

Fab - thanks all. Fingers crossed it comes off....

[mk1]

Most areas have been covered. rear doors are prone to rot out at the bottom & are expensive to obtain, as are side window finishers. Other than that treat it as a "normal" mini.

Good luck.

[Old English White]

If your purchase falls through, feel free to pm me. I know somebody with a Mk1 Mini Traveller woody (1967 I think) that he is thinking of selling due to lack of use. It is tidy and roadworthy. I don't know much more detail but could find out.

[Pandora]

I do like the look of this one: https://www.carandclassic.co.uk/car/C1398511

Who was it on here who built an absolutely cracking 'S' traveller in surf blue, with the Interior done as if it was a factory job? It was amazing.

Al

[mab01uk]

My brother restored this 1961 internal tank Morris Mini Traveller in 2011, some photos of the restoration here:-
http://minitravellerandcountrymanregist ... &Itemid=17

Mini Traveller and Countryman Register:-
http://minitravellerandcountrymanregister.org/

[Old English White]

I do like the look of this one: https://www.carandclassic.co.uk/car/C1398511

Who was it on here who built an absolutely cracking 'S' traveller in surf blue, with the Interior done as if it was a factory job? It was amazing.

Al

I was almost tempted until I spotted the dreaded oversills

[Pandora]

oh yes well spotted! but why???? it looks to have been a nice build otherwise.

Al

[Steve_mcmaster]

Thanks to everyone who has replied. Planning on taking a trip to see it next weekend, however, that surf blue one has caught my eye as it’s almost exactly what I’d planned to end up with.

Tell me more about the sinn of oversills, how to spot them and what to look for.

Thanks again - Steve

[mab01uk]

Oversill/Coversill - note no open vents/drainage and sill extends under floor.
Horizontal ribs between the dummy vent profiles are also an easy thing to spot at a glance or in photos.
(Usually welded over existing rusty sills to get a Mini through its MOT for a couple of years).


Correct factory sill with open vents/drainage


Section drawing showing the difference -
Blue = Factory correct sill
Red = Oversill

The Mini Forum (TMF) has a very long running thread on them in link below but you would need to register to see the photos if not already a member.
Oversills, What They Are And Why You Want To Avoid Them:-
https://www.theminiforum.co.uk/forums/t ... void-them/

[Steve_mcmaster]

Ahh - awesome - thank you - that’s super helpful.

So, in the worst case they have been used to cover over corrosion to the sills and, in doing so, lock in any additional moisture and the original corrosion. Helpful!

Did some additional research on the Surf Blue one - comes up as being registered in 1979. I assume it’s a backdated 1979 car with a 66 ref.

Glutton for punishment, so still not completely put off - going to find out some more info.

[mab01uk]

Ahh - awesome - thank you - that’s super helpful.

So, in the worst case they have been used to cover over corrosion to the sills and, in doing so, lock in any additional moisture and the original corrosion. Helpful!

Did some additional research on the Surf Blue one - comes up as being registered in 1979. I assume it’s a backdated 1979 car with a 66 ref.

Glutton for punishment, so still not completely put off - going to find out some more info.

KWD 678E
Vehicle make MORRIS
Date of first registration August 1979
Year of manufacture 1967
Cylinder capacity 1275 cc

A backdated 1979 Mini Estate would mean it would be based on a Clubman Estate with later winding window doors usually being the obvious giveaway. However DVLA details say year of manufacture is 1967 so it is not just a '67 reg transfer onto a '79 car. More likely to have been imported in 1979 and given a 67 reg no. to suit manufacture date?

[AndyPen]

Thanks to everyone who has replied. Planning on taking a trip to see it next weekend, however, that surf blue one has caught my eye as it’s almost exactly what I’d planned to end up with.

Tell me more about the sinn of oversills, how to spot them and what to look for.

Thanks again - Steve

Hi Steve, I would never fit these as a choice these days, but we did have oversills put on my wife's 64 having cut out the rot, simply for convenience and the practicality at that time. We also went mad with wax oil as soon as we got it home.

After 30 years on the car we are wondering about replacing them as a 'next job'. I mentioned it to a mate who works in security stuff, and a snake camera put down there suggests everything is still in remarkable shape.

[Steve_mcmaster]

Thank you again all for your replies and guidance.

Quick additional question - have found a woody, which, again, looks lovely and am aiming to see it on Saturday. One point which has confused me is that the VIN starts M-AW5-D, which would point to a Minor 1000 Traveller, not a mini.

Anyone come across that before, or should I assume that, at some point, the car has been rebuilt and a Minor chassis number has been used because "it's a Morris Traveller, so close enough"??

Thanks again - Steve

[woodypup59]

Possibly a transcription error at the original county re office or DVLA.

What does the chassis tag on the car say ? Obviously compare with the V5 data.

----------------------------------------------

When you see the car, make a note of the chassis #, engine # and FE # . We should be able to give you a rough production date.

Check the glass for production date.

Check the wiper motor for its date - or any Lucas electrical kit. Again this should be close to the production date.

Standard mini stuff really.

[Steve_mcmaster]

Thanks Woody - I'll check all those points - many photos will be taken