1000 miles in a Morris Minor to France - will we make it?! (Minors on Tour 2023 road trip)

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  • เผยแพร่เมื่อ 7 ก.ย. 2024
  • Check out channel sponsor Bidding Classics to buy yourself a classic, or perhaps sell the one in your garage at home to free up the space for something new: bit.ly/BiddingC...
    ______
    The Minors on Tour road trip is organised by the Morris Minor Owners Club and has been running for 30+ years! The trip is an epic test of your classic car (usually a Morris Minor 1000!) to see if it'll make the trip unscathed or you'll be tapping into your boot of spare parts to fix your broken classic car.
    This video is very much the individual experiences of me and my friends - but everyone has a great time; so if you've watched this and want to come next year, make sure you head to the website to get signed up for 2024 (or later - if you're watching this in the far flung future!)

ความคิดเห็น • 105

  • @CathodeRayNipplez
    @CathodeRayNipplez ปีที่แล้ว +36

    1:10 "..packed everything I own.." 🤣
    The big blue ball of wool is just classic.

  • @graemew7001
    @graemew7001 ปีที่แล้ว +26

    Steph, you owe us nothing more than remaining happy and healthy. The videos when they come are a bonus that are welcomed and enjoyed so please don't worry, just have relaxation and fun. You're braver than me as I wouldn't dare contemplate that sort of epic journey in a Moggy.

  • @sjg4967
    @sjg4967 ปีที่แล้ว +6

    Stop apologising for fitting electronic ignition. I fitted the Sparkright SX2000 kit to my beetle in about 1985 because the distributor lobes were worn. It was the best thing I ever did, there is no joy in breaking down or struggling to start or changing points every few months... Have a lovely time, the car looks great.

  • @hamishdavidson3368
    @hamishdavidson3368 ปีที่แล้ว +15

    Great weather. Enjoying you videos. A good fix for fuel vaporisation is buy some kitchen foil and wrap around the fuel lines heading into the carburettor. Its a great fix on Holdens in the bush.

  • @jaggass
    @jaggass ปีที่แล้ว +15

    Can imagine people back in the day travelling from Britain to continental Europe in Minor's, Beetle's, Cortina's etc. A friend of mine drove from the NW England to Cortina D'Ampezzo,Italy in a MK3 Cortina. No breakdowns and the same town where some of For Your Eyes Only was filmed.

  • @PaulinesPastimes
    @PaulinesPastimes ปีที่แล้ว +4

    Your cars look wonderful and seem to be going beautifully. It's so refreshing to see young people driving classic cars. Doesn't happen so much here in Australia. When I bought my Austin A60 in Sydney, I had to drive it back to where I live in Melbourne. That is 900km (nearly 600 miles) of freeway driving. It was an ordeal and she broke down a few kilometres from home (the shame!) and had to be brought in by tow truck. Been good ever since and it has an electronic distributor, best thing ever. 22 deg did make me smile ✨. Fabulous scenery. 😊

  • @jeffhildreth9244
    @jeffhildreth9244 ปีที่แล้ว +5

    Makes me want to get another Morris. Best of luck on your trip.. I am envious.
    Watching from Southern Oregon USA.

  • @cameronaberdeenuk1260
    @cameronaberdeenuk1260 ปีที่แล้ว +4

    Totally charmed by your car, the journey, your narration, your mates and Steph, you are a complete star. Hope the holiday goes well. Toot Toot.

  • @kevinhirst4108
    @kevinhirst4108 ปีที่แล้ว +6

    Glad you made it get some rest ❤❤❤

  • @PaddyWV
    @PaddyWV ปีที่แล้ว +5

    Nothing says "UK" like a Morris Minor. They ought to be exempt from labelling! 😄

  • @auntbarbara5576
    @auntbarbara5576 ปีที่แล้ว +6

    Steph this was WONDERFUL!! What a beautiful adventure. I hope to see more road-trip videos. Thank you for this, and all you bring us. My absolute favourite auto channel.
    Aunt Barbara adores you!

    • @idriveaclassic
      @idriveaclassic  ปีที่แล้ว +1

      ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️

  • @michaelhalsall5684
    @michaelhalsall5684 ปีที่แล้ว +2

    I love the guy's black t-shirt with the MM Low-Light on it!

  • @johnjtm1097
    @johnjtm1097 ปีที่แล้ว +3

    It's always a joy to see your videos Steph, whatever the subject. Enjoy your holiday everyone, Moggys and people!

  • @KenanTurkiye
    @KenanTurkiye ปีที่แล้ว +5

    If a Morris is green with yellow tinted lights, roads are a joy.

  • @micb3rd
    @micb3rd ปีที่แล้ว +4

    Looks like a fantastic trip, great to see the Morris Minors doing these long journeys. Good luck with the rest of the traveling!

  • @VADOC02
    @VADOC02 ปีที่แล้ว +4

    Last September did 403 miles on the Blue Ridge parkway in my '69 Traveller
    my butt is still sore!

  • @Saskue78
    @Saskue78 ปีที่แล้ว +2

    Awesome and sure you will make it. It is good weather for the trip which is good. 🙂🙂🌞🌞

  • @michaelraymond952
    @michaelraymond952 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    I can’t imagine going this far. I drove my ‘68 Morris Minor about 100 miles today and that felt like a lot! My tailbone was ready to be done more than anything else. To be fair, I essentially stayed within a state that is only 37 miles wide so I covered a lot of ground. I love seeing these cars showing what they can do but it’s even nicer to see your community of friends. You’re all awesome and I, for one, would happily take a road trip with handsome Joe. 😉😇 Have fun, kids!

  • @alansimpson835
    @alansimpson835 ปีที่แล้ว +2

    What a brilliant looking trip. Nancy looks like she's in her element. I've still never driven on the wrong side of the road but one day I'll take the plunge. Speaking of plunges, hopefully you have access to a pool to cool down

  • @mrsmith697
    @mrsmith697 ปีที่แล้ว +5

    22 gr Celsius. yes on the outside of the car.. probably much more in the car 😅

  • @peterowen4456
    @peterowen4456 ปีที่แล้ว +3

    Epic! Love a road trip. Can't wait for the next video.

  • @stephensalt6787
    @stephensalt6787 ปีที่แล้ว +2

    Air con is one of the best things ever for continental travel or a convertible. You will still love it, the empty roads and laid back vibes make France superb and the food isn’t bad 😂.

  • @peterriggall8409
    @peterriggall8409 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    I don’t think I have ever seen a video of a car going into the Chunnel before. What a great adventure. Enjoy Steph. and good idea to switch the cameras off and have a good break.

  • @LivingWithAClassic
    @LivingWithAClassic ปีที่แล้ว +1

    Looks like an amazing trip!

  • @simonc858
    @simonc858 ปีที่แล้ว +2

    Fabulous video, enjoy your holiday x

  • @andywalker
    @andywalker ปีที่แล้ว +3

    Enjoy France, the D roads are a must do. The road tolls (Peages) are a pain to deal with.

  • @nigelh4617
    @nigelh4617 ปีที่แล้ว +2

    Car loaded up to the gunwales, proper road trip 😊.

  • @TheClockwise770
    @TheClockwise770 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    Great video Steph. Brought back a lot of memories
    I've actually driven that same route to San Remy , Provence in my Rover P6 3500s. It took me 12 hours with 3 stops.
    Hope you have a wonderful stay there

  • @19892CV
    @19892CV ปีที่แล้ว +1

    What an epic journey. Have fun!

  • @martinclapton2724
    @martinclapton2724 ปีที่แล้ว +2

    What a great adventure! Enjoyed driving in Europe in the late 1990s and particularly in year 2000 on family holidays

  • @allanmollison6971
    @allanmollison6971 ปีที่แล้ว +3

    Thanks for sharing Steph, really enjoyed it. 😊👍

  • @petermatthews6819
    @petermatthews6819 ปีที่แล้ว +3

    Happy motoring ❤

  • @frederickherring2284
    @frederickherring2284 ปีที่แล้ว

    I purchased A Morris Minor in 1970 for $70.00. It had holes in the floor, and tape held up the windows. But you couldn't kill it. It always went when you needed it. Even when I had a stubby screwdriver in the keyhole after i lost the keys through a hole in the floor. Really a great car. It was my first car, and you always remember the first one. Loved it to bits

  • @Vince_uk
    @Vince_uk ปีที่แล้ว +4

    Hi Steph and Joe, A great video and exciting subject matter. BTW Where is the kitchen sink? That is all you seen mot to have packed.

  • @johnmckenna8989
    @johnmckenna8989 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    What's funny....I travelled B.C. Ferries regularly, and I always washed my car first then took the opportunity to wax it during the crossing....Out in the fresh cool air, I would sometimes look up to find an audience on the upper deck platform if I was parked at the bow's open deck.....Many commented that it was a great way to pass the time, wishing they too had thought of it....John (west coast, Can.).....OH, the cars were 1979 International Scout II and a 1959 TR3A ....I still own the Triumph, 53 years now.....

  • @charliegrinnall2172
    @charliegrinnall2172 ปีที่แล้ว +3

    Your car is doing you proud Steph. I have just come back from Wings And Wheels at Bidford on Avon Flying Club and saw a few nice Morris Minor's there aswell as a nice early Morris Marina van.

  • @Topshaman-pk2rx
    @Topshaman-pk2rx ปีที่แล้ว +3

    Great road trip. Enjoy France.

  • @davidperrott5743
    @davidperrott5743 ปีที่แล้ว +3

    Two takeaways: I associate classic cars with people old enough to remember them from their childhood but most of the Minor tourists seem to postdate their cars, and Steph's Minor does about 42mpg on the open road. I'm just back from a trip to France in a mild hybrid Civic and it did 5.9 l/100 km or about 48mpg. Doesn't seem a lot of progress in about 40 years.

  • @bulkheadlamp600
    @bulkheadlamp600 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    One day I'll get a passport, pluck up the courage, join he club, get a UK badge😁 learn basic French and join you guys on the trip😊

  • @kavijon
    @kavijon ปีที่แล้ว +2

    Fabo fabo !!! Great trip guys. Looking forward to following 😎

  • @simonchristie4117
    @simonchristie4117 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    Ball of knitting wool reminded me of my mum! Orangina! Brings back memories ❤ great vlog ❤

  • @marshmarshall4619
    @marshmarshall4619 ปีที่แล้ว

    When I was at boarding school (1961-1965 - that dates ME !!!) our French teacher, Bill Melton, came to France every year with his wife in his Morris Minor all the way down to the south of France - This was the era, before autoroutes and motorways had even been dreamt of !!! - So you can imagine how long that took him on what were known, then, as "les routes nationales" - Fortunately we had long summer holidays of 8 weeks, so he had plenty of time to do his round trip - And his trusty Morris Minor NEVER let him down even once !! - A fabulous car, still, and such a shame that BL never had the foresight to develop it like VW did with the Beetle, replacing it instead with a pile of crap called the Morris Marina, which has the dubious "honour" of being the most scrapped car ever built - So it's great to see you, Steph and your friends, making the same journey in your trusty Morris Minors as my French Teacher did all those many years ago - Good luck and "bonne route" !!

  • @cme2cau
    @cme2cau ปีที่แล้ว +1

    I'm spoilt now, with air conditioning, cruise control and a turbo diesel, but did several trips back in the day in a land crab, and a 3.6l Valiant. Australian distances are different!

  • @lesklower7281
    @lesklower7281 ปีที่แล้ว +2

    Well in Australia we can't easily travel to another country in our cars you can do it cost a lot of money and 22 degrees lovely day also what l saw of your Morris 1000 very nice and 40mpg not bad fuel economy especially from a classic british car

  • @michaelkeen5010
    @michaelkeen5010 ปีที่แล้ว

    Having owned 2 Minors in the 90’s I know that they are eminently capable of regular 60mph cruises on motorways, very reliable cars. Good luck on your adventure.

  • @gord307
    @gord307 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    Great to see your Minor adventure! Well done with getting your Morris to such a high standard, and fab to see you running in convoy with another! Yes, the E5 fuel is a monumental ripoff and is a massive tax on many people who can't, or perhaps don't want, a modern car. You sound shattered at the end of the video - hope you recuperate and have a lovely break.

  • @mrcheese3981
    @mrcheese3981 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    It should be interesting to see the French reaction to your Morris Minors, as no one over here seems to have heard of them! I'm in the south west of France and looking to buy a left hand drive traveller, but no one I speak to knows what I'm talking about :) They all know VW Beetles and Minis, but that's it. Enjoy the rest of your trip.

  • @alexandrecouture2462
    @alexandrecouture2462 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    Wonderful landscape and cool video! So finally, me going in vacation with my Jaguar XJ40 isn't using a very old car! :)

  • @taks8439
    @taks8439 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    This is something that is on my bucket list to do in the future!

  • @Mark1405Leeds
    @Mark1405Leeds ปีที่แล้ว +3

    Retro fit air con? Having had air con I couldn't live without it!

  • @Rinty145
    @Rinty145 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    Great video Steph, I'm green with envy.

  • @grahamdraper665
    @grahamdraper665 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    Very enjoyable film,I normally drive a 73 2 cv or 68 Ami 6 to the south of France hope to see the Pont du arch on your trip fab camp sites along the river.

  • @michaelstaunton1632
    @michaelstaunton1632 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    A really enjoyable video well done now & best of luck with everything 👍👍

  • @choryferguson2196
    @choryferguson2196 ปีที่แล้ว

    Hope you've had an amazing time! Thanks for sharing the journey!

  • @anthonytallarida4192
    @anthonytallarida4192 ปีที่แล้ว

    Such an awsome video Steph, so cool that you do these road trips.

  • @stephenricketts7764
    @stephenricketts7764 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    I would expect a Morris Minor to be fine on such a trip as long as you check it is happy once in a while. I did wonder why you had all that wool so glad you cleared that one up. Not much room for the kitchen sink though, maybe next time Steph!☺ I hope you have a great break and thanks for the road movie. 🚄🗼🐌👍👍

  • @markgollan
    @markgollan ปีที่แล้ว +1

    What a fun trip

  • @Ivorbiggin
    @Ivorbiggin ปีที่แล้ว +1

    Looks like Fantastic fun Steph …..😊

  • @jimo4449
    @jimo4449 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    This Aussie had to laugh at your 22 degrees being hot, that is cool

  • @FourthDrawerDown
    @FourthDrawerDown ปีที่แล้ว +1

    Road trip! Woo 🙌

  • @Mark_T
    @Mark_T ปีที่แล้ว +1

    Really interesting content - particularly as I've yet to drive abroad. More please :-)

  • @RoyCousins
    @RoyCousins ปีที่แล้ว +1

    It looks like great trip. 😎

  • @ricado372
    @ricado372 ปีที่แล้ว +2

    Hey Steph, try looking for supermarkets near to the peage, the fuel will be closer to 1.81 for 95 and 1.86for 98.
    Profitez bien de la vacance.

  • @MichaelKingsfordGray
    @MichaelKingsfordGray ปีที่แล้ว +1

    Thank you for your entertaining effort.
    You are 100% correct about the temperature comparisons in Pommyland and Australia!
    I had a Morris Minor series 1, with 850cc of raw power.
    In Australia. The previous owner used it to widen his driveway, it seemed by the dents down both sides.
    It had Kettering points ignition, because it is so fixable in the remote outback here, where civilization might be 300 miles away.
    I once fixed the ignition with fencing wire, and a bit of plastic that I cut from a straw with my pocket-knife.
    Try doing that with electronics!
    The main problem that I experienced was with vapour-lock in the fuel-line, when it was so hot that the fuel boiled before it reached the fuel bowl.
    It gets to over 50 degrees C (122F) in the shade here. Probably equal to 100C (212F) in the sun under a metal bonnet.
    One gets acclimatized to it. Possibly the same in South Africa.

  • @grayfool
    @grayfool ปีที่แล้ว +1

    We love France too. The last time I drove in Frnace was in a MkII Transit mini bus with a trailer and egiht pretty big nlokes on board. We went to the pyrenes not far from Perpignon. Can't get much more south and still be in France. It took forever but was a real hoot. Been back several times sonce but not in a car.

  • @billpeters4019
    @billpeters4019 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    Tremendous effort - seriously thinking of MoT next year :¬)

  • @lukefleming0607
    @lukefleming0607 ปีที่แล้ว +2

    Great video. Was funny at the start seeing the looks on the passengers in the other vehicles going past you

  • @jimcrichton8028
    @jimcrichton8028 ปีที่แล้ว +2

    Only three things ever stop a roadworthy Minor. Firstly the electric fuel pump which usually gives intermitent troubles when not used regularly. Second the swivel joints at the bottom of trunions can pop off if not greased, usually going in reverse at 3 mph! And finally eventually hidden rust in the chassis cross bar can result in the torsion bar pushing up under the seat, often as you brake for a junction... steering lock is much reduced after this happens.
    Otherwise they just keep going forever. 😊

  • @darrenwilson8042
    @darrenwilson8042 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    funny enough I saw an MGF and 2 x MGB's on Dutch plates driving through Middlesbrough yesterday - 'tis the season?

  • @CarlJones14
    @CarlJones14 ปีที่แล้ว +3

    I was in France recently. I had one providers best breakdown policy. My gearbox gave up, and it took 40 days to repatriate my campervan. I am very relucrant to travel to the EU again. The lies, unbelievable.

  • @admiralcraddock464
    @admiralcraddock464 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    I found adapting to driving on the right was quite easy; so easy in fact, thatI had to concentrate driving on the left when I drove off the ferry at dover. A little tip: if your`e driving a righthand drive car keep the steering wheel next to the curb and you won`t go far wrong

  • @daviemaclean61
    @daviemaclean61 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    If you can see fish in the tunnel something's gone horribly wrong!
    Red Bull car polish! Interesting

  • @autoknight747
    @autoknight747 ปีที่แล้ว

    Really enjoy your content and the sheer variety of vehicles you cover in your reviews. It’s a proper blast from the past and some of the vehicles remind me of my childhood. Clearly not all - I’m not that old!

  • @chrisrumble2665
    @chrisrumble2665 ปีที่แล้ว

    What softies...with your OHV engines. Try touring in an MM!

  • @billwrascal8147
    @billwrascal8147 ปีที่แล้ว

    Looks like fun, despite the travelling time. Final minutes driving along the valley I had the theme to "Allo Allo" running through my head. 😊

  • @matthewvwuk
    @matthewvwuk ปีที่แล้ว

    Hi Steph. Wow what a journey you & your friends undertook to go on holiday in France in Morris Minors! A great video, thank you for posting.
    Just to tell you the differences between a dynamo & an alternator me being an auto-electrician is that the dynamo is sometimes termed as a DC generator & only charges the battery when the engine is above idling speed as its drive pulley is exactly the same size as the engine crankshaft pulley. It needs a control box to regulate the charging voltage & current & prevents the battery from discharging through dynamo.
    An alternator produces AC current & needs a rectifier to convert this into DC to charge the battery. Its drive pulley is smaller than the engine crankshaft pulley & so it can produce more current than a dynamo & therefore charge the battery when the engine is idling.
    Hence this is why the alternator is more reliable than a dynamo as it has a wound stator & slip-rings & the brushes rarely need changing whereas the dynamo has an armature & a copper commutator with brushes which will eventually wear down & need replacing.
    Hope this has helped & apologies for being too technical!

  • @simonbirt6121
    @simonbirt6121 ปีที่แล้ว +3

    I don’t think I own that much stuff! Maybe you should get a traveller?

    • @idriveaclassic
      @idriveaclassic  ปีที่แล้ว +2

      I had one and hated it. My saloon forever ❤️

  • @a11csc
    @a11csc ปีที่แล้ว +1

    super

  • @hunterhomeservicesracing6453
    @hunterhomeservicesracing6453 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    Good to see these cars still on the road
    We just did the morry nationals in Adelaide Australia.we had 136 ish cars

  • @dhall4363
    @dhall4363 ปีที่แล้ว

    Watching this from Australia. We have different perspective to distance. Not a second thought for me to drive a series land rover from Sydney to Melbourne. I had just brought it and this was my first drive. Looks like the weather is being good for you. One of my first cars was briefly a Morris minor and there was a mini as well. No road trip in older cars is complete with out some minor issues ( oh is that a minor joke ? ) I`ll see my self out.

  • @tedheath9018
    @tedheath9018 ปีที่แล้ว

    Cool lucky huas, never had a Moriarty thou but had 1948 Austin 10 and 1959 Series 111 Ox box.

  • @Scuba72Chris
    @Scuba72Chris ปีที่แล้ว

    Nice! I would have loved to join in myself but it's waaaaay too far to go in my Series 2. :D

  • @GatesheadElvis
    @GatesheadElvis ปีที่แล้ว +1

    Great video! What's the deal with they yellow lights? Are they still required for "classics" in France?

  • @Extreme_Rice
    @Extreme_Rice ปีที่แล้ว

    Saw a 4-door Minor in London today. Similar colour to Nancy but not quite as sparkly.

  • @UniversityOfTurmoil
    @UniversityOfTurmoil ปีที่แล้ว +1

    Yellow headlights make any car look 10x cooler.

  • @markwoodley712
    @markwoodley712 ปีที่แล้ว

    How do you clear Customs with 'everything I own' loaded that way. What a great adventure, next time I'm in Europe, I hope to make an effort to drive from the continent into the UK, not sure if you can with a rental vehicle, but what fun you had. We only get to venture from Canada into the U.S. no chunnel experience.

  • @kathykirby5837
    @kathykirby5837 ปีที่แล้ว

    Please remember that water is so important, loads of fizzy drinks arent great for helping in the heat x

  • @peterbuckley5204
    @peterbuckley5204 ปีที่แล้ว

    I've bought a 1968 Morris minor that has been stood 34years to restore 1098 trafalgar blue the last owner used to drive to Ares sw France every year and the sunstrip on the windscreen still says vacance de Ares on it lve also bought another 1967 and they are like twins

  • @lukebarnes8097
    @lukebarnes8097 ปีที่แล้ว

    Rather you than me 😂. Is the car still on the standard four speed box and differential? Wouldn't wanna do a long time on the motorway if it is!

  • @JP-su8bp
    @JP-su8bp ปีที่แล้ว +1

    Ah, a vintage car road trip and the joy of discomfort.

  • @alexandrecouture2462
    @alexandrecouture2462 ปีที่แล้ว

    19:05 Haha, I hope people following you didn't think that it was a LHD car, because it would mean no hands on the steering. :)

  • @mr-wx3lv
    @mr-wx3lv ปีที่แล้ว

    That is just awesome. Crashing down the French motorways in a 1098cc Minor. How British is that. They are great little cars. Why didn't they reintroduce them, like they did the Mini, the VW beetle and the fiat 500, they would have sold like hot cakes. ...

  • @rosshannemann7772
    @rosshannemann7772 ปีที่แล้ว

    Out in france in 3 weeks,hope you have no breakdowns.

  • @crashbox7130
    @crashbox7130 ปีที่แล้ว

    These posh modern Morris Minors, eh? I have to get around in my 1932 Morris Minor two-seater at 40-45mph, so motorways are very much a no no. Or non non in France.