A Minor Makeover

Words Colin Sweetman, photo Patrick Neal

Last year, Ashburton College started an Automotive Class and the Ashburton Branch received an email from Patrick Neal, Automotive and Hard Materials teacher at Ashburton College (and Canterbury Branch member). Patrick was looking for a project car for his automotive class and wondered if the local VCC could help in locating a suitable car. This year, the College will have three automotive classes running, two at Year 12 and one at Year 13, each with their own specific project. Patrick was looking for a project for his 18 strong Year 12 class.

After initial discussions and emails back and forth, it was jointly decided that a Morris Minor would perhaps be the best car for the job. Although the students had suggested that a Nissan Skyline might be the best for them, the AshColl budget wouldn’t stretch that far!

Patrick advises that the College is fortunate to have the MITO (Motor Industry Training Organisation) course on-site. Although the course is designed for schools, most do not have the facilities to undertake practical automotive work on their campus. Ashburton College is fortunate to have the facilities, (including a two-post hoist) to engage their students. The courses through MITO are Start-Up (Year 12) and Accelerate (Year 13) and are an introduction to the motor industry. Once the students have completed both levels they can do a Pre-Trade course at Polytech.

Patrick’s budget was minimal and also had to include parts, so obtaining a car at low cost with a readily available supply of inexpensive parts was essential. Again, a Morris Minor fitted the bill perfectly – there are literally hundreds of them around with both inexpensive and available parts.

Patrick indicated that he wanted his students to learn about cars and how they worked, and a classic or vintage car was better than the more common Japanese car where everything was just bolt on and off. He also wanted something that his students could improve as there is value in doing up a classic or vintage car as opposed to a modern. He said that if you buy a $900 Honda and do it up, it is still going to be a $900 Honda in the end.

The Ashburton Branch committee discussed Patrick’s request and Trevor Begg then generously offered to donate his 1958 Morris Minor 1000 as the project car. Trevor has had the car for nearly 20 years and mainly drove it to and from work. The committee, with Gavin Smith’s (Parts Shed Manager) support also offered parts from our Parts Shed for the project at no cost. The students are encouraged to come around to the shed for a fossick for what might be needed.

The Morris is drivable and started on first pull of the starter. The brakes also work so it will be a good base for the project. The car needs a headlining, seats and diff, which were supplied with the car and ultimately it is hoped that the minor rust can be cut out and the car painted, along with general servicing.

The car’s ownership is now with the College, meaning the vehicle could potentially (after it is completed) be sold, which would allow the ability to further fund more ambitious projects.

The Ashburton Branch of the Vintage Car Club of New Zealand looks forward with interest to hearing how the project progresses and we are happy that we can do our bit to foster interest in Vintage Cars in the younger generation.