Morris Minor Forum

Greetings folks,
So, I am in negotiations to purchase a '57 Minor 1000 from a fella in Vancouver. Transporting it back home to Mississauga is gonna cost around $3K ! ... Anyone make a road trip 4500km with a Moggie?.. or is it a crazy idea ..
Any suggestions and tips would be appreciated..
Thanks.

That’s 2,580 miles.
It really depends on the condition that the car is currently in.
I would do it in my car….. it would be one heck of a road trip, but I would do it! I know my car & I’ve found it to be quite trouble free in its current state. Probly take around three daze.


What’s the condition of your prospective car? 948 engine? What is the Fella’s asking price?
Maybe he’ll accept a low ball offer & you can use the savings to pay for shipping.

……you can rent a trailer. You can walk away from this one & keep shopping.

Can you post some photos?

Your call, really….

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Rand & Susan
1959 Morris Minor 1000 Convertible

Hi Ali,

This is a very subjective question to answer.. The car has to be in good shape and have a good running engine and braking system.. Are all these things up to the task? Has anyone been able to confirm that the car is what you expect? Does the car have the original engine or been rebuilt? Is it a 948cc or has it been upgraded to a 1098cc or 1275cc.
Do take along spare plugs and ignition parts unless it's been converted to electronic ignition, then you will need a exact replacement or a spare dizzy with points etc. How are the tires? More than a few years old those miles might be an issue.. Got roadside service for towing if you do break down, might consider it for the trip..

OKay, lots of questions. I'm not trying to be negative, just some of the facts that need to be considered for such a long trip.. What about driving out and towing it home Uhaul trailer and such. What sort of costs with that idea.

Do share more about the car and we can help with the question too.

Good luck either way..

TX
Mr fixit
Chris

It'd need to be a Minor very suited to your wishes (say, Convertible, or a 4-door, a nice colour, and mechanically + structurally very sound, etc.) to justify hauling it home over that distance! I do realise that they are not so common where you are in East Central Canada............

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Phil Plumbe
Surrey Hills, Melbourne, Australia

Good Morning folks!,
Thank you for chiming in, I truly appreciate the dialogue.
I am still mulling over the idea, however the family is against it due to the fact it will be a "new" to me vehicle and God knows what gremlins might be hidden within the mechanics... so I am looking at CN rail.. as opposed to me driving out there and renting a Uhaul dolly and tow it back...
I shall keep you all, interesting people posted of the happenings,
Cheers !

When we imported our ‘54 Minor in 1981, I drove it out from the Port of Newark, NJ to outside Detroit.
It was a day & a half of noisy driving but then the speed limit was 55 mph.
Nowadays, with cars doing 80 mph, a long journey like that would be fairly dangerous.
The speed closing rate of trucks would be very scary indeed.
The 650 mile journey I made was in a car that I knew had good water hoses, a new fan belt etc. etc.
A car with unknown history would be foolhardy for sure.
Some form of “trailering” would be safest for you & the car.

For sure, driving a car of unknown mechanical fitness would be an adventure but one that could go sour real quick. Towing is the better method. Tow dolly would be ideal for such a light weight little car. Trailer would be the safest overall. To charter a delivery service, this is something that can also go badly from the get go....many open end contracts with the clauses to add hidden fees of which many are tacked on as a charge just because it is in the contract. More a buyer beware to me than buying the car. I did a bit back retrieve a small Brit car some 850 miles one way on my tow dolly and can remark it was almost humdrum boring it went so smooth. I carried new mounted tires in case they were needed. Got there, the tires were excellent condition. Good look with the car....

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I've seen better days but they have cost me more money..!

5 out of 5 people usually think the other 4 are idiots....

If you always do what you always did you will always get what you always got.

I hear you, thank you for sharing your experience and advise.
See you in the pages !,
Ali.

Thank you for sharing your thoughts, good info !
Best regards,
Ali.

With an unknown car... I would hire a transport company...

If it was your own car...I would say yes sure but not on main roads...

Good luck with your purchase

Keep us in the loop as you go along.

Mikec



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2023-09-07 07:01 PM by mikec4193.

Now as someone who has and does like a long distance challenge, I hear what folk are saying. What I haven't heard is about the state of the car itself and it's pedigree, if it has been sitting idle for years ...then noway. If however, it is used regular then the complete opposite to me, why not drive it.
If it was used regular until ill health etcetera of its previous owner, as was the case with my 1960, then you are in with a good chance. In my case I only had a 300 mile journey and it was a great adventure.

Though now in bits due to a stupid lock down rebuild idea, mine has done a 2000 mile around the UK in 2018 (purchased November 2017) and a 3500 mile trip to the Ardennes and through France and Belgium.

Recently I did a 1500 mile trip in my 1964 MG Midget, not everyone's cup of tea as long distance vehicle, but guess I different like that an enjoy an adventure.

Now Ali you have said the family are not keen, which is already a strike against.

I'm a little adventure over the easy option and it depends where you stand in that.

Other factors are distance you can go in a day, my recent trip was only about 200 miles a day. Now in UK lots of towns roundabouts etc in your locality getting out of sprawling Vancouver will be the slowest most difficult bit. But I'd imagine 400 miles a day would be fair, so you have accommodation and food to factor in.

Remember that both you and the car will want a break every couple or 3 hours.

Now over here in Europe breakdown insurance with such as AA, RAC, Green Flag etc is an easy option, which is a great get out of jail free card. However, are such things available yourside?

Lots to consider and whatever you do make sure you post pictures and let us know how you are getting on.

I will say one thing though, having flown from Toronto to Vancouver and knowing what a long flight it is, even I would think twice about this adventure.

Also once happy with it, do take it on a good long adventure.

All the very best Johnny

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Edited 2 time(s). Last edit at 2023-09-12 03:17 AM by johnnyw637.