It has its foibles, but the 'woodie', the Morris Minor Traveller, still gets around. OONAGH CHARLETON talks to a smitten owner
If you happen to own a cocker spaniel, chop wood on a regular basis, have a 1950s surfboard in your garage and wish to God you were christened Timothy, chances are you own and cherish a Morris Minor Traveller.
Or you could be called Trevor Bacon who just so happens to own a 1963 "woodie" that's still going strong after nearly 40 years. Trevor, who lives in Dublin and uses the Traveller as his principal form of transport, is decidedly fond of the 1,098cc engine that is rarely stretched over 55mph.
An upgrade of the series II Morris, it was built with cleaner, smoother lines, a slightly bigger engine and it came in no fewer than 33 colours. It's generally regarded as the easiest of all the Minors to maintain and use.
Morris owners do have to take on board a constant stream of chores in order to maintain their cars and keep them running smoothly. Bacon is well aware of this and, a year into ownership, he is quietly restoring the Traveller.
Fortunately for Morris owners worldwide, parts are always readily available and in plentiful supply.
The main problem with "woodies" is standard rot, a direct result of the use of an integrated box section chassis as opposed to a traditional chassis. Sections suffer from internal condensation which causes severe corrosion if unchecked.
It's called "the iceberg factor". Any spot appearing on the outer body usually suggests that the situation is 20 times worse on the inside.
Bacon admits that his car, christened "Mogtilda" by his girlfriend, has "lots of quirks and fribbles" but he loves her anyway . . . even after a breakdown outside the Blanchardstown shopping centre resulted in a lonely tow home behind a rather smug VW Polo.
Currently dealing with a hole in the roof by means of some artful MIG welding, Trevor is happy to announce that water damage was kept to a minimum. By sheer luck, a hole in the floor arrived at the same time allowing water to drain away. "The hole in the top needs patching," he smiles, "but fortunately water goes in and just goes straight out the other end.
"She is holding together quite well and I've ordered parts from England including an electronic ignition."
Over the decades, "woodies" have become popular as workhorses, carrying heavy loads such as wood and building materials.
One group of enthusiasts, surfers, have embraced the Traveller - it can be seen in numbers wherever regular surf meets are held. Prizes are not only available for best surfing techniques, but also best "wood", most attractive "clapping-hand" wipers and best preserved timber frame.
Designed by Sir Alec Issigonis, the innovative designer of the Mini, the Morris Traveller epitomises his main ideals. One of these was the frequently recited maxim "less is more". And, indeed, this is the case with the Traveller, which exudes classic simplicity and non-fuss. Issigonis disagreed with things like radios and fiddly dashboards - distractions, he said.
The Traveller isn't that expensive to maintain. One of the biggest wallet thinners is the cost of replacing rotten wood in the frame . . . this can run to €3,000 and over. Other common complaints include fatigued springs, warped and seized drum brakes and gearbox issues.
Tin worm is also known to ravage the Morris and in many cases has resulted in owner or restorers giving up the ghost.
While Trevor Bacon is aware that his car needs investment and hard work, he would hate to get rid of her. Always having liked old cars, he was attracted to the Traveller, seeing it as having "a bit of character".
One of his favourite features is the excellent visibility where large all-round windows create an illusion of greater space. But, if pushed, he also has a marked interest in the TVR Tuscan and/or a 1951 Ford Mercury.
Interest in the Traveller is particularly keen in Ireland. It's seen as being cheap and reliable with average performance. If well cared for, it will provide years of faithful service with a classic simplicity that is hard to equal.