MINOR UPDATE AND A SPITFIRE ON THE NC500

Just a quick note to update you on the Morris Minor, which has done over 2000 reliable miles since March. [This was our Project Minor, featured in the magazine in the January-October 2020 issues – Ed] I tidied up a few outstanding cosmetics, such as the front grille, and gave it a full service in September. Then we spent a few days in Dumfries and Galloway. Covering a greater distance than usual, the front brakes began to bind and squeal, so on our return I stripped (not the cylinders) and cleaned them, painted the backplates, then fitted new Mintex shoes and NOS adjusters. After reassembly and adjustment, they are working and stopping perfectly. It is a pleasure and my preferred car to drive, but is off the road now until the Spring unless we get some heavy rain with a break in the gritting before then.

I have been enjoying my Classics subscription, and noticed the Morris Minor pictured on the March cover, along with a Spitfire. I am pleased that you are still flying the flag for Triumph with some excellent features since the demise of Triumph World. I took my 1980 Spitfire 1500 on the NC500, covering 1300 miles door to door in August after being invited to share the experience with some friends in their modern. It was great fun and we had no reliability issues, but had refurbed the gearbox and clutch in 2020, and fitted overdrive at the same time. The overdrive made a huge difference.

Hope you are having as much fun in the Midget now it is sorted – it looked great when I visited to inspect the Minor.