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Sefton Morris Monthly Meeting
19th October 2005

Apologies
Keith gave one apology from Graham

Keith introduced everyone to Ann from Widnes who had become a new member and also welcomed Mel’s wife Lesley to the meeting.

Last month Nigel had devised a form, which he handed to the members who were present to complete and give back to him so he could get an idea of their opinions and views on how the club is running and also to fill in information about their vehicles.

Talk
Keith introduced Harry from Billinge who had very kindly come along to give talk on bats. He spoke to us for just over an hour with his various stories and had even brought along two bats in containers, which he passed round for everyone to see.

Chair
Nigel thanked everyone for completing the survey form - four people had indicated that they would like to stand for the committee.

Renewals
Keith stated that the membership fees were now due.

Nuclear Bunker
Thanks were given to Phil and I for arranging the run out to the Nuclear Bunker at Hack Green. There were five cars that went, it was very interesting and thoroughly enjoyed by everyone who went.

International Classic Car Show
Keith asked if anyone was interested in going down to the International Classics Car Show in Birmingham.

Christmas Meal
Keith sent out booking forms as an attachment with the last newsletter for the Christmas Meal at Shorrocks Hill Country Club being held on the 6th December, he needs numbers and deposits by the next meeting. There have been letters sent to Lancashire Branch, North East Lancs Branch and Merseyside Branch to invite them to the meal.

Music Quiz
The annual music quiz will be held at next months meeting.

Raffle
Donations for raffle prizes will be greatly appreciated.

There is no meeting in December because it is too near to Christmas.

The A.G M is to be held in January.

Thanks were given to Jimmy for development of the WEBSITE which is very good, and interesting. Jimmy asked if any members had any ideas or suggestions could they submit them to him so he can include them on the WEBSITE.

Nigel’s Natter

First of all, I was very impressed with the number of people that came to the last meeting. Around 16, not including the landlady who listened in as well. How ever, our main thanks must go to Harry for a very interesting and informative talk. I think the most memorable part was his story about the trials of Fred the bat. I have to admit I did not fully take in all of the Bat talk, because of my typing for Bert, which he much appreciated. Unfortunately, I can’t multi task, i.e.. type and understand at the same time. Possibly next time, someone who can multi task may be a better solution.

I must also welcome our new member, Ann Bellfield, from Widnes, who joined us at the last meeting. Thank you for joining.

At the meeting, I made a brief mention some of the results of the survey. With the additional 3 forms I received at the meeting that brings to total received so far to 17, which is a very good return rate seeing 23 were sent out. It’s still not too late to return them. One result surprising to me, is the number of members willing to stand for the committee. So far there have been 10, and currently there are only 6 committee posts. My initial personal thoughts are that the size of the committee may need to be expanded, but this will need to be discussed at a pre AGM committee meeting. Hopefully there will be more detail in the next Newsletter. My other personal view is that all members that wish to stand for the committee will be treated exactly the same, irrespective of whether they have been in office before.

Computerised MOTs

On a slightly different note, I am a ‘Personal Supporter’ of the Federation of British Historic Vehicle Clubs (FBHVC). This is an organisation that watches out for future legislation that may adversely affect the continued use of Historic Vehicles. An example of their work is that there had been an EEC proposal, which would ban the use of cellulose paint. This is the paint that the vast majority of Minors are painted in, and is somewhat less obnoxious than ‘2 pack’ paint. As a direct result of the representations by the FBHVC, the legislation has been modified so that limited sales of cellulose paint can be licensed for use on Historic vehicles.

I attended the FBHVC AGM a couple of weeks ago, and the post AGM presentation was entitled ‘MoT Testing of Older Vehicles in the Electronic Age’. The main message that can across was that the standard of the MOT should not change with the introduction of the computerised MOT. Most of the difficulties that relate to some classic vehicles, is the unfamiliarity of the MOT tester with the help pages of the MOT testing program, and in case of severe difficulty, there is a constantly manned technical help line for the MOT tester. The additional preparation for owners prior to a computerised MOT test is to check that all the details on the V5C document (logbook) matches exactly with what is on the car. This would include registration number, chassis number, colour, maker type (e.g. Minor, Minor 1000, Minor Traveler, 6 cwt Van, 8 cwt van) cc, and engine number. Now a VIN number (chassis number) was not a compulsory fitment until 1980, and a Minor should not be failed on the lack of a VIN plate. The MOT tester will search the DVLA database on the registration number and full chassis number as displayed on the vehicle, and if this search fails then Registration number and the last 6 digits of chassis number.

Now all Minors were produced with a screwed on chassis plate on which is recorded the Car Number. This is located adjacent to the voltage regulator, so the lack of a VIN on the car should not be a problem it this plate is present. If this plate were missing, it would be helpful to the MOT tester, if prior to the test, a replacement plate is obtained. On all Minors, the chassis number was also originally stamped into the bodywork.
On MM, Series II and Minor 1000 with no ‘elephant trunk heater duct’ this chassis number was stamped on the bulkhead close to where the bonnet release rod comes out. On Minor 1000’s built with ‘elephant trunk’ heater ducting, the chassis number was stamped in the driver’s foot well, but possibly this may have been inadvertently obscured or removed during repairs to the floor. The screwed on chassis plate needs to be stamped with that stamped number, and with the prefix characters on the V5C. This will make for a happier MOT tester, which can’t be bad.
In all this don’t get confused with the Body Number which was spot welded by Nuffield Metal Products on to the near side tie plate below the bottom of the radiator, and also repeated on a plate close to the nearside bonnet hinge.

If the chassis number stamped on bulkhead or floor is different to the chassis number on the V5C document then this will need investigation. This was the case with my car, and after some investigation by Sandy Hamilton and the DVLA, it was possible to determine the likely reason for the error and have it corrected.

The lack of a chassis plate could well prompt a ‘discrepancy letter’ from DVLA, and possibly a visit from an inspector to determine that the vehicle is what it purports to be.

Nigel
Next Meeting

Wednesday 16th November – ANNUAL MUSIC QUIZ WITH RAFFLE & BUFFET – 8.00pm at the Blue Bell, Barton.

Future Events

Sunday 4th December. Branch Christmas Meal. Shorrocks Hill Country Club, Formby. 1.30pm for 2pm.

Wednesday 18th January 2006. Sefton Branch AGM. Blue Bell, Barton 8pm.

FROM THE SECRETARY

Well, here we are nearing the end of another year. A lot of events have come and gone during the year – as always some more successful than others!
My thanks must go again to Phil and Shirley for organising the excellent run out to the Nuclear bunker at Hack