Nuffield Manufacturers Plate

13 Nov 2020    Addition of NMP

After getting a Morris Minor, with a missing Nuffield Manufacturers Plate (NMP) I saw they were available via a contact associated to the Morris Minor Owners Club. They supply them stamped up with the correct numbers for your vehicle, provided you can supply these numbers.

This NMP looked identical to that fitted to Morris /Austin JB type vehicle but was missing the extra lower section.

Upon enquiring to the MMOC contact they were willing to have a go at making the extra piece as a separate item, with the potential to selling to other J type owners.

Through my Austin 101 van heritage certificate information I was able to supply enough data to Roland Turner for him to allocate me both a Z and J number. 

The eventual result is as below, as supplied, made in aluminium. Cost is currently £20 per plate. ( £40 for the 2 plates for the J type.)

It's not too clear from the photos but on the NMP all text is raised except the numbers 45288

On the lower strip the Z and J are raised and all other numbers are impressed.

Before fitting I used a small flat punch on each corner to replicate a spot weld  electrode mark, just for fun! Then epoxy glued in place and painted body colour.

Once the shine wears off it will look less brand new!

Hopefully not too far off the original.

Also got a single NMP for the Morris Minor, all stamped with the correct numbers.

Meet 'Millie' a new companion for George.

 14 Sept 2020

Here are a few pics of my new addition 'Millie'. Bought her a couple of months ago.

She is a 1958, 4 door, de luxe, Morris 1000, in sage green. Note: front side and indicator lights are from a later model and rear indicators have been added by previous owners.

She may get her own blog, in time.

Lockdown labours...water pump and rear door body pegs

20 May 2020

Water pump...had ordered a water pump as was getting some slight water drops from somewhere...but not sure where. Just thought I would change it out to be sure.

Removed grille and radiator and started to undo bolts holding water pump on, only for two of the four bolts to shear off just below the head! But the pump would still not come loose. So after a far amount of heat from a blowlamp and thumps from a lump hammer I did get it off. The bolts/aluminium body had corroded together as one. Fortunately the remaining shafts of the bolts did unscrew from the main block without any damage.

The old pump was also badly corroded at the outlet pipe with some of it missing.

Replaced bolts and fitted the new steel pump without further trouble. Gave whole area a coat of green engine paint plus yellow fan and put it all back together. See photos below.

Old Pump

Pump Removed

New Pump in place

Belt & fan added

Radiator back in place and all done.

Rear Door Body Pegs

Bought 2 of these 3D printed pegs from Chris in Tasmania.

They are a good quality plastic 3D part that are supplied grey in colour.

I did a small amount of light sanding to remove some minor printing marks on the main barrel before painting. Then grey primed and black gloss. They look just like the metal ones, don't you think.

Mine are not functional as the doors do not fold back as I have then on check straps.

Fitted with 6mm bolts.

  

Too much time on our hands..........

5 April 2020

Does Coronavirus cause insanity?

Asked my wife to make covers for the headlamps, so as they don't get damaged while I work in the garage.

Should have know better!

Covers bearly fit!

Interior Additions

9th March 2020

Slightly changed the load area arrangement of items and added a large British Railways First Aid Box and Capstan packaging box.  Period (1960's) donations for the First Aid Box most welcome. Capstan box has spare cigarette & tobacco items from my collection. Hope to sell these as time permits. see www.imperialtobaccocollection.co.uk for my current collection.

First Aid Box

Capstan Box

Changed layout