The Book of the Morris Minor and the Morris Eight - A Complete Guide for Owners and Prospective Purchasers of All Morris Minors and Morris Eights

By Harold Jelly

This maintenance handbook is in its complete and unabridged original form, extensively illustrated and full of instruction that is as useful and practical today as it was when originally published. A must-have for anyone with an interest in these classic automobiles. Contents include - Preface - Licences, Insurance And Law - On The Road - How The Engine Works - Overhaul And Maintenance - The Lubrication - The Electrical Equipment - Care Of Tyres - O.H.V Models - War-Time Regulations. Many of the earliest books, particularly those dating back to the 1900s and before, are now extremely scarce and increasingly expensive. We are republishing these classic works in affordable, high quality, modern editions, using the original text and artwork.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Read Books Ltd.
• Release date: Jan 4, 2013
• ISBN: 9781447482734

Book preview

THE BOOK OF

THE MORRIS MINOR

AND THE

MORRIS EIGHT

CHAPTER I

LICENCES, INSURANCE, AND LAW

THE first thing to do when you have purchased a new car is to prepare it and oneself for the road. There is the insurance policy and driving licence to be obtained, also the registration of the car. The latter is often carried out by the agent who sells you the car, but it is dealt with here in case you do it yourself.

All new applicants for a driving licence have to pass a driving test. This rule applies to any person obtaining a licence after 1st April, 1934. For those who wish to know all about the test I cannot do better than recommend them to Pitman’s Your Driving Test: How to Pass It, 2s. net.

LICENCES

The Driving Licence. A declaration as to physical fitness must be made by every applicant for a driving licence. This declaration must be in the form prescribed by the authorities, and it must state whether or not the applicant is suffering from any disease or physical disability which would be likely to render it dangerous to drive.

The licence must be signed in the space provided before attempting to drive. This should be done immediately it is obtained.

A police officer may at any time stop a motorist, and ask to see his or her driving licence without giving any reason for so doing. If unable immediately to produce the licence, the driver cannot be convicted of an offence if, within five days of the request for production, he produces the licence in person at any police station he may specify.

When the court have ordered the licence to be endorsed, it must be produced in court within five days or such longer time that the court may determine. If not the holder of a licence, but subsequently obtaining one, he shall produce it to the court within five days. Failure in either case entails automatic suspension of the licence until produced.

Renewing the Driving Licence. Upon the expiration of the licence at the end of twelve months, it will be necessary to complete a form for the application of renewal of driving licence and send this, together with the fee of 5s., to the appropriate local council offices from which the licence was originally obtained. Strictly speaking, one is then not allowed to drive owing to his not being in possession of a licence. It will usually be found, however, that if some proof is carried, such as a copy of any letter which may have been sent to the council, requesting the renewal of a licence, or the counterfoil of the postal order, if payment was made in this way, it will satisfy the police, should they wish to see the driver’s licence. It is a good plan, however, to apply for renewal of the licence a week or so before the date the licence actually expires. Better still, the driver should call at the licensing authority’s offices in person, when a renewal will be issued without delay.

Registration of the Car. Before the owner may take a car on the public highway it must be taxed, registered, and fitted with registration number plates, one at the front and one at the back.

The tax is worked on a horse-power basis at the rate of 25s. per horse-power, and in the case of a Minor or Eight is £10 per annum commencing on the 1st January and expiring on the 31st December. A quarterly tax is obtainable, the quarter days being 24th March, 30th June, 30th September, and 31st December. Alternatively, the car may be taxed from any day the owner wishes, the tax in this case to run to the end of the year.

Before a new car can be registered, the authorities will require some proof that the vehicle is brand new and demand production of the manufacturers’ or agents’ sales delivery note, or the agents’ invoice, either of which should bear the engine and any other number by which the car can be proved not to have been previously registered. Also the authorities will require to see the certificate of insurance issued to the owner by the insurance company. These, and other details which the authorities will ask for, must be supplied on the appropriate form of application for a licence. In return for this form and the amount of the tax, the owner will receive a registration book and the licence. The latter must always be carried in the licence holder provided on the near side of the car. There is no necessity to carry the registration book, but the owner will be advised to read the instructions printed thereon. Upon the expiration of the licence a renewal can be obtained either from the council with whom the vehicle is registered or from any post office authorized for this purpose. Fourteen days grace is allowed, but a post office cannot grant a renewal after the fourteen days grace has expired. This must be obtained from the authorities referred to above.

If the registration book is lost a new one can be obtained on payment of a fee of 5s. In the event of a duplicate being issued and the original subsequently found, return the original to the authority from whom it was obtained. If any alteration in the car, e.g. change of colour, or different type of body, which will affect the particulars previously registered, notify (in writing) the council of the alteration and forward the book for amendment.

If transferring ownership (1) deliver the book to the new owner; (2) notify the change, in writing, to the council whose name appears last in the book, also the index mark, and registration number, the make and class of the vehicle and the name and address of the new owner.

If the owner changes his address, enter particulars of new address in the space provided in the book and forward it to the council with which the car is registered.

INSURANCE

Before venturing on the public road with his car every motorist is now compelled to take out a third party insurance policy. In addition to the usual policy, or cover note, the insurance company will hand to the owner a certificate of insurance in the prescribed form, and, as already stated, when applying for his car licence, the applicant must—by production of the certificate or cover note—satisfy the licensing authority that the necessary cover against third party risks will be in force at the time the car licence becomes operative.

There is a very large number of insurance companies catering for motorists. Full information regarding rates¹ can be obtained on application to the companies, or from their agents, and an announcement of a well-known company will be seen in the front of this book.

A Comprehensive Policy. This type of policy is recommended (except when the car is an old one). There is some variation in the Private Car Comprehensive Policies issued by different companies; the following are brief particulars of the cover given by the office already referred to—

Third Party Risks. Unlimited indemnity in respect of claims by the public (including passengers not carried for hire or reward), or damage to property, against the policyholder or any person driving with his permission.

The policy also covers the policyholder’s liability whilst driving a private car or motor cycle not belonging to him and not hired to him under a hire-purchase agreement.

Liability for hospital expenses and emergency treatment under the Road Traffic Acts is included.

Loss of or Damage to the Insured Car and/or Accessories and Spare Parts from Any Cause. Exceptions include: loss of use, depreciation, wear and tear, mechanical or electrical breakdown, damage to tyres by application of brakes or by road punctures, cuts or bursts.

The insurance company bears the reasonable cost of removing the car from the scene of the accident to the nearest repairers, and the reasonable cost of delivery to the owner after repairs. Repairs, up to a reasonable amount, may be executed without prior notice to the company, provided that a detailed estimate is supplied forthwith.

Injuries to Occupants (caused by accident in direct connection with the insured car). Personal accident benefits in respect of policyholder and wife or husband: in case of death, £1,000; loss of two limbs or sight of both eyes or one limb and one eye, £500; loss of one limb or sight of one eye, £250. Medical expenses incurred by any occupant or driver not exceeding £20 per person for any one accident. Weekly payments during incapacity can be insured for a small additional premium.

Loss of Rugs, Coats, and Personal Luggage. From the insured car by fire or theft, up to £5 per article or £20 per year of insurance. Money, valuables, etc., are not covered, and this section applies only in Great Britain, N. Ireland, the Isle of Man, and Channel Islands.

Legal Defence. The company will pay the solicitor’s fee for defence of any proceedings in any Court of Summary Jurisdiction, and representation at any coroner’s inquest or fatal accident inquiry arising from any event which may be the subject of Third Party Indemnity under the policy.

Continental Touring. Provided prior notice in writing is given to the corporation of each proposed journey, the policy will be extended to apply for a total period not exceeding one-fourth of its current period while the insured car is temporarily in the Irish Free State, on the Continent of Europe, or in Algeria or Tunisia, and while in transit between ports in such countries, subject to certain restrictions.

No-claim Bonus. If no claim has been made or is pending, the renewal premium is reduced by 10 per cent first renewal, 15 per cent second renewal, 20 per cent third renewal, 25 per cent fourth and subsequent renewals.

THE LAW AND THE MOTORIST

Accidents. (What to do.) It cannot be too strongly emphasized that in an accident of any kind, it is most important for all those concerned to keep calm, and say as little as possible. The natural tendency is to become flurried and perhaps make some rash statement which may later be regretted.

The first thing to do, in the event of any person being injured, is to obtain medical assistance and a policeman. This may in some circumstances be rather difficult, should the accident occur in some out-of-the-way place, but it is usually possible to find a telephone within a mile or so from any spot in England at any rate.

Having done all that is possible in this connection, take the names and addresses of all available witnesses, particularly any disinterested parties. Get the policeman to take note of the positions of the damaged vehicles, and of any marks on the road which may be of assistance at a later date.

Do not omit to report the matter to your insurance company within twenty-four hours from the time of the accident; also advise your motoring associations. Should a policeman not be on the spot the accident must be reported at any police station, within twenty-four hours. Do not deal with any correspondence yourself. This should be posted to your insurance company, road association or solicitor, as the case, may be. Never offer any money to an injured person or to a witness at any time, as this