In the latter stages of 1958 and reasonably recovered from the motor cycle accident that nearly ended my days, I informed a worried father that it was time to move up to four wheels. The look of relief was something to behold, he didn’t have to say anything. His only comment was What have you got in mind and when do we go and get what ever it is? Yep the homework was done again. So I bought a 1950 model 985cc side valve Morris Minor that was to receive a replacement overhead valve Mazengarb cylinder head for Au£100, £50 less than the new price paid by the original purchaser. It was then fitted with home bent extractors and dual 1 ¼ SU carburettors fitted to a Warneford inlet manifold. This was to become a quick little beast referred to by my friends of the day as the "Black Immaculate". Oh I had the usual tuning problems initially, but these were overcome by a specialist SU man of the day in Launceston, Tasmania in the matter of a few hours. Now comes the funny side of the story. The chap I bought the kit off only sold it to me because he had ordered one of the new Morris Minor 1000s. Later at a North West Car Club Standing Quarter Mile, and Flying Quarter event the Black Immaculate left his Minor 1000 in its dust. I was beginning to wonder if I would have to remove the stop post in the speedometer to save bending the needle. One unhappy new car owner was the end result. I must also add that dear old Dad was not impressed either. I was told that I was bloody well mad. Such is the exuberance of youth. (The image shown is not of my vehicle, but purely to show the type of car that I once owned.)
Please visit the following website relative to the humble morris Minor. http://www.morris-minor-conversions.co.uk/
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