- 1 day ago
Ant Anstead Born Mechanic Season 2 Episode 2
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Short filmTranscript
00:00The 500-year-old farmhouse I bought for my parents to retire in
00:03is a crumbling money pit.
00:07I would brace yourself, because it ain't going to be cheap.
00:10But I won't be defeated.
00:12It's beautiful, isn't it?
00:14I want Mum and Dad moved in before summer ends.
00:17We'll call it glamping, shall we?
00:19Right, that's the spirit.
00:21And with the help of family...
00:23I did it!
00:25And my petrolhead pal, Duncan.
00:28Come on, let's go!
00:30I'm determined to turn cars into cash.
00:36Even, ah, if it kills me.
00:38Woo!
00:50My dream of getting Mum and Dad moved into the front four rooms
00:53before summer's out is gathering pace.
00:57With the back of the house condemned...
00:58My brother Michael's putting all the effort into the front.
01:05Removing the last ten and a half tonnes of concrete render.
01:10Present for you.
01:12That's the very last bit.
01:14That's the last piece of concrete.
01:15I'm keeping that as a trophy in the workshop.
01:18Ten and a half tonnes.
01:20But with just four months until the end of the summer,
01:23I'll need to keep the car profit rolling in.
01:25I've got a lead on a classic car that seems like a bargain,
01:32but it means a 250-mile trip out west.
01:34Oh, wow, look at that view.
01:38The Devon coastline.
01:40And I'm bringing my dad Nigel along, with good reason.
01:43What was your first car?
01:45Oh, my first car.
01:45You always remember your first car.
01:47Hawker 72.
01:49It was a 1957 Morris Minor.
01:52I got it for my 18th birthday.
01:53My parents bought it off of Uncle Ron.
01:55This is going to be a great day.
01:57Oh, it's a Morris Minor.
01:59It's a Morris Minor.
01:59This is a 1963 Morris Minor Traveller.
02:06The woody one.
02:06The one with the wood in it.
02:08We have one of those as well.
02:09Because Mum wanted something we could go away for weekends in,
02:13and we could sleep in the back.
02:15And I was much more flexible in those days.
02:17That was when Brother Tim was born, our first child.
02:21Because I can remember picking Mum up from the hospital with Tim,
02:24baby in arms, in the Morris Traveller,
02:27and bringing him back to the pub.
02:29Mum and Dad weren't the only ones who were mad for the Morris.
02:36Launched in 1947, it became the first million-selling car.
02:41Created by the mastermind behind the Mini, Alec Izagonis,
02:45the Morris Minor was affordable, practical, and reliable.
02:49The station wagon-style Traveller came out in 1953.
02:53Its lightweight ash frame needed specialist craftsmen,
02:57so it was only ever made in the UK.
02:58But rotting timber work and rust has left only around 830 on British roads today.
03:05The one we're seeing was advertised online at £7,750.
03:10Can I tell you another little nugget?
03:12Go on.
03:13The seller of this car's name...
03:15...is Nigel.
03:18You're joking.
03:20If he's owned by Nigel, it's got to be good.
03:22Oh, is that the rule, is it?
03:23Oh, yeah.
03:23Nigel, Nigel, Nigel, nice to meet you.
03:28Hello, Nigel, nice to meet you.
03:29It's in the garage just round the corner round, shall we?
03:31Round there?
03:32Yes.
03:33I'm running there now.
03:34OK.
03:35That's somebody else's gardener.
03:36Well, basically, it's a family car.
03:37It's been in our family since new.
03:38This is a 1M car?
03:39It is.
03:40Oh, wow.
03:41Oh, wow.
03:42Can we pull it out?
03:43Yes, of course you can.
03:44Off the road since the early 80s...
03:45Oh, wow, look at the woodwork.
03:46It's undergone a thorough bodywork restoration, before sitting in this garage for the last 15 years.
04:03Oh, so much better condition than mine was.
04:05Oh, it's pretty spectacular.
04:07Sell and Nigel's parents bought it in 1963.
04:11Like my Nigel, he learned to drive in it, and he got his first speeding ticket in it.
04:18So, what does she need?
04:19All the focus was on the bodywork and the woodwork.
04:22The mechanics will need a really good overhaul.
04:25Some parts are missing.
04:26It's not absolutely complete.
04:28Everything should be in the boxes in the garage.
04:31So, do you mind if we have, say, maybe 10, 15 minutes to look around the car?
04:36Be my guest, Ange.
04:37You're more than welcome to.
04:38Appreciate it, thank you.
04:39Thanks, Nigel.
04:40It's, like, just out in the factory.
04:43Joe, you can see when somebody's done a proper restoration, and it's little things like the
04:49shut line there on the door is absolutely perfect.
04:53The panels are incredible.
04:55It's the straightest Morris Minor I think I've seen in a while.
04:58And I love the colour.
04:59It's just unbelievable.
05:00The seat's ripped.
05:05There's also no gear stick.
05:08Oh, there's no gearbox.
05:11All right, now this is where we have the problems.
05:14The gearbox hangs off the engine. I bet there's no engine.
05:18So there's a lot of mechanical stuff to be done.
05:20Dad, it's an engine.
05:21It's not mechanical stuff.
05:22It's the heart of the car.
05:23The gearbox could have been separated from the engine.
05:25Damn you, a Cornish pasty.
05:27There's no engine.
05:28Pasties are on.
05:30You.
05:31Oh, okay.
05:32Oh, my gosh.
05:33Well, let's look at the positives.
05:34I mean, it's incredibly solid.
05:35The restoration's really beautiful.
05:36Obviously, this radiator's loose.
05:37Loose.
05:38Loose we can deal with.
05:39At least it's bloody there.
05:40Right.
05:41You said some bits are in boxes in the garage.
05:43Ah, that could be the gearbox thing.
05:45Bits and bulbs.
05:46I don't know what's in there.
05:48Aha.
05:49There it is.
05:50One engine.
05:52Okay.
05:53Careful.
05:54That's okay.
05:55I don't know.
05:56I don't know.
05:57Oh, no.
05:58No.
05:59No.
06:00No, no.
06:01You can see here.
06:02No.
06:03No, no.
06:04No.
06:05No.
06:06No, no.
06:07No, no.
06:08No.
06:09No, no.
06:10No, no.
06:11No.
06:12No, no.
06:13No, no.
06:14No.
06:15Is that good, that's moving?
06:18Yeah, that means it's free.
06:19The fact the flywheel turns is a sign the crankshaft and pistons aren't seized.
06:24But until I run tests, I've got no idea if it still fires.
06:29It's a massive gamble, as replacing it could cost me over a grand.
06:34What do you know about the engine in there?
06:35The engine was all good when it was taken off the road in 1984-ish.
06:4040 years ago?
06:41It's had oil down the bores, through the plug holes, and I have been turning it over.
06:45So every Wednesday, 4 o'clock.
06:47Not quite so regularly, is that?
06:50If I get it running, this stunning Morish traveller could fetch up to 15 grand.
06:56Meaning a big profit, if I can haggle a good price out of Nigel 2.0.
07:01So right now, she's for sale for $7,750.
07:04Yes, that's right.
07:05And there is still a series of unknowns.
07:07Yes.
07:08That exist on the floor in the garage.
07:10Can we start at 7 grand?
07:11Of course, you can start there, Ant.
07:12I wouldn't be happy with dropping that much.
07:1771?
07:18I'm very reluctant.
07:207,250.
07:21500 quid off.
07:22Can we go up a little bit more, Ant?
07:23Okay, we'll go up another 100 quid.
07:257,350.
07:25Yes, we've got that.
07:26Dudes!
07:27Happy with that.
07:28Okay.
07:28Thank you, Nigel.
07:28Thank you, Nigel.
07:30That's fine.
07:32Under 7.5 grand for a picture-perfect Morish Miner traveller should feel like a bargain.
07:38What takes the shine off is that empty engine bay.
07:42Upside, at least I won the bet.
07:44This is delicious, by the way.
07:46Hmm.
07:47Smells good.
07:48Hair clear from bar.
07:52Hey, what's she got there?
07:54You bought a timber-framed house.
07:55You didn't need to buy a timber-framed car.
07:57Are you kidding me?
07:58This is beautiful.
08:00Duke, come down and check it out.
08:02I'll tell you what, the wood.
08:03Right?
08:04This way they've done all the joints.
08:06It's all been done proper.
08:09As Nigel said, proper.
08:12Oh, my God.
08:14Yeah, the engine's not there.
08:16But!
08:17We do have the engine.
08:20So we don't know what condition the engine's in?
08:22No.
08:23That's the gamble.
08:24You broke the golden rule.
08:26Well, there's many golden rules.
08:28Which one did I break?
08:29Starting on listening to the engine.
08:32But this is typical you, ain't it, eh?
08:34What is?
08:35Buying a car with no engine in it.
08:37No gearbox.
08:39High risk.
08:40You've just looked at it, because it looks pretty.
08:43Go on, then.
08:43What sort of money do you have to pay for something like this?
08:45It's 7.350.
08:47Wow.
08:47I don't think selling the car's going to be a problem.
08:50Worst case scenario, Knight.
08:52We'll just stick you in there and you can run along.
08:54Like the Flintstones.
08:56Yeah, very funny.
08:57Thank you very much.
09:00But before we start on the engine,
09:02Duncan's found an urgent structural issue with the house.
09:07He's been working on heritage timber homes for over 35 years,
09:11so he knows his stuff.
09:12You know, this one's completely loose.
09:16The sill beam as well.
09:18These are all supposed to be connected.
09:21So all that render was probably, in some ways, doing, holding the house up.
09:26Without the concrete render to support it,
09:29the house is in danger of collapse.
09:31To secure it, all the horizontal sill beams need replacing.
09:34And to do that, the whole building must be raised up.
09:38So I think you're going to have to get a couple of quotes in.
09:43But I would brace yourself.
09:45Because it ain't going to be cheap.
09:46All right, I'll make some calls and see if we can get a cast and timescale sooner rather than later.
09:56This doesn't want to go through the winter like this.
09:59I knew the house's back wing was hazardous, but I thought the front was safe.
10:04And now there's signs of danger everywhere.
10:07See the base of the wall?
10:08That panel's bowing.
10:14I'm praying that we can just prop the house up for now
10:16while I find out exactly how much replacing the sill beams will set me back.
10:23All the more reason to get my Morris Miner's original engine firing
10:27and avoid forking out a grand for a replacement.
10:31Right, what do you know about this thing?
10:33What do I know about the engine?
10:35I know it's been off the road for about 40 years.
10:39And it comes with a box of bits.
10:44Exhausting carburetor.
10:47Distributor.
10:49What else you got in there?
10:51Starter.
10:52Well, it's not seized.
10:53That's all right.
10:54In fact, do you want to whack a battery and some jump rings on that Civic crank?
10:56So you can get a bit of life into it.
10:59If this starter motor works, we stand a chance of getting this engine firing today.
11:04Say a little prayer.
11:07Whee!
11:08She's alive!
11:10That's one less thing we have to worry about.
11:12Do you know what?
11:12Let's bolt the starter motor into this.
11:15Let's hand it over a bit of speed and see if we have compression.
11:18A compression test will show us what state the cylinders are in.
11:22Old school hot wiring.
11:24Takes you back to your car-stealing days.
11:26Oh, and on cue.
11:27Replacing the spark plugs with a compression tester will give us a critical PSI reading.
11:34It'll reveal if the cylinders can still create enough pressure to combust the fuel-air mix.
11:40Otherwise, this engine's next to useless.
11:42If this is a healthy engine, we should be looking at probably over a low...
11:49120?
11:50Yeah, over.
11:51150 would be nice.
11:52150, I was going to say.
11:53Go on, then.
11:55Right.
11:56Crank it.
11:57Just say a little prayer to the engine gods.
12:00Oh, please.
12:01Go on.
12:15What do you think?
12:17What do you think?
12:18We're testing if the Morris Miner's engine can still generate enough compression for combustion.
12:24A reading below 150 PSI means the cylinder is toast.
12:28I don't think that's got a lot of squeeze in that.
12:34Ooh, 70.
12:37And a push.
12:39So one of the four is low compression.
12:42All right, next one.
12:45You ready?
12:51Okay, it's worse.
12:53Yeah, 40.
12:54This engine is absolutely not creating enough compression.
12:59So somewhere in the cylinder, air is escaping, probably past the rings, which are no doubt seized, or rusty, or cracked, or worse.
13:08It's scored a load of grooves inside the cylinder, but now air's escaping out of that.
13:13Bottom line is, even if one of them's toast, it's a rebuilt engine.
13:16She ain't got no squeeze.
13:17The way I see it, we've got two options.
13:21Option A, we run down the alleyway of rebuilding this engine, which means we've got to take it apart, we've got to get parts, we've got to throw a load of labour at it.
13:28Could be a never-ending list.
13:30Option B, look for a new engine.
13:33By the time we've cleaned this, new bearings, piston rings, home, skim the head.
13:39And yes, it comes with a load of risks and high labour.
13:43Well then, let's make the originality the defining moment, then.
13:46If that engine is the engine that left the factory when the car was manufactured, it adds more value.
13:54Ultimately, I'm going to give Nigel a call, and I'm just going to ask him, has this car, in its life, had an engine change?
14:00If the answer's yes, then there's no value to this engine.
14:03We might as well go get a new one.
14:05Poor little engine.
14:07I'd have bought it with no engine.
14:08I think you did.
14:10The last thing I want is to spend time and money on an engine, especially as I'm facing costly structure repairs to the house.
14:19Getting mum and dad moved in by the end of summer is sounding less likely than ever.
14:25It's crazy, isn't it?
14:26It is.
14:28Dust everywhere.
14:30What he's done so far is great.
14:32But I think of the practicalities, it's going to be like glamping.
14:37It's when we did that, when we were younger.
14:40And we're not younger anymore.
14:41They're all the problems that were found, though.
14:43You couldn't have predicted that.
14:44Fairness to Anthony.
14:45It can be a pain, though, can't it?
14:47As you can, as well.
14:49Yeah, all right.
14:50Don't rub it in.
15:01Right, spoke to Nigel.
15:03Yeah?
15:03That is not the original engine.
15:05Decision made, then.
15:08Decision made.
15:09So it looks like I need to find a refurbished one online.
15:15What are you looking at?
15:16I'm trying to find a Morris Minor engine online.
15:19And actually, this is the one.
15:21That looks clean.
15:22Yeah.
15:23This is good.
15:24How easy is it to find these engines?
15:26They're quite common engines.
15:27They're used in loads of other cars, not just Morris Minor's.
15:29You know, like Austin A30s, Riley's, Mini.
15:32So getting hold of an A-Series engine is quite easy.
15:34The key is to get hold of the right one.
15:36Reconditioned, ready to go, so we can just drop it in.
15:39It's roughly the right money.
15:40900 quid.
15:42It's in Wiltshire.
15:43So it's a couple of hours of a drive.
15:45And it might mean a little road trip for you to Wiltshire.
15:49I wonder where this was going.
15:52But almost a grand spent on the new engine
15:54means less car profit to cover the new sill beams
15:57that are needed to make the house structurally sound.
16:00Yo.
16:01How are we doing?
16:02Duncan and I have both got quotes.
16:05And it's not sounding cheap.
16:06Oak repairs.
16:07Now, bear in mind, we've got to do effectively three sides.
16:11Front, left-hand side, the side and the rear.
16:16It's about 16 metres of sill beam.
16:18And then you've got the labour.
16:19Then you've got the props to pick the house up.
16:21To do one side is 6,800.
16:27It's like 20 grand.
16:29I did make a call.
16:30So, a friend of mine done me a good deal on some timber.
16:36Now, normally you have four good faces on a bit of oak,
16:40in case you want to show it all in the corner beam.
16:42But these, they might have a little bit of bark on one side.
16:45So, maybe only three sides are good.
16:48But it'll do all four for 400 quid.
16:51I mean, that's amazing.
16:53But what about the labour?
16:57Can you and me prop the house, remove the old beam,
17:00cut the uprights, put a new beam in?
17:03How many houses have you underpinned?
17:05I have never underpinned a house.
17:07How many have you underpinned?
17:08Probably 30.
17:10Will you do it with me?
17:11If I am full on support, labour...
17:15It's not, give your hand and run away.
17:18You need to be on this.
17:20I appreciate it.
17:22You are saving a ton of cash.
17:24It wouldn't be done without you.
17:24Well, you ask me how many I've done,
17:27but I don't know how many are still standing.
17:30You're out of order.
17:35And there's good progress on the Morris Minor Front 2.
17:40Hey!
17:40Check it out, then.
17:44All right!
17:47Well, you see exactly what we need.
17:48It looks pretty good, actually.
17:52So what was the deal on this one?
17:54We've got a carburetor, inlet manifold, exhaust manifold,
17:57flywheel, starter motor, distributor, dynamo, coil.
18:01It's even got a couple of hoses,
18:02and even the HT leads are thrown in.
18:05We paid 900 quid for the lot.
18:07It's good, mate.
18:08Spark plugs were thrown in as well.
18:11And it's fairly clean.
18:12This car hasn't driven under its own steam for decades.
18:16This is the key to our Morris Minor turning a wheel again.
18:21While Duncan gets back to his day job.
18:27Before we can fit the engine, I need to assemble the driveline that's currently in bits.
18:34Well, I know this is a radiator.
18:35Well, I know this is a radiator.
18:36That lives at the front of the engine.
18:38Gearbox goes around about here.
18:40And I've no idea what works or what's missing.
18:43What else have we got?
18:45And how much more cash I need to fork out on parts.
18:49Well, that's going to save us a few quid, because that's a brand new clutch.
18:53Right, this is the prop shaft.
18:56That's the gearbox mount.
18:59Yeah, that goes under there.
19:01Look.
19:02Now, that's the complete driveline, if you think about it.
19:04There.
19:05What else is there?
19:06What else is there?
19:07I know what that is.
19:08My car had one of those.
19:10Starter handle.
19:11Hey!
19:12It is?
19:13Yeah.
19:14Well, my 57 Morris Minor had a starter handle.
19:17Oh, yeah, it is.
19:18There.
19:19Look.
19:20Yeah?
19:21I do remember some things, you know.
19:22Yeah, that's cool.
19:24So, we're missing exhaust, but with the engine we've got the manifold, so we only need the rear
19:30pipe back box.
19:31And the things that hold it up, those strap things.
19:33Yep, the exhaust mounts.
19:37While my dad cleans up the prop shaft and brackets, ready for a respray, I want to see
19:43if the new clutch fits the original gearbox.
19:45It's an earlier, more complex style of clutch, which uses multiple coiled springs around the
19:50pressure plate.
19:51Now, later, clutches moved to diaphragm clutches, which gave a more even pressure.
19:56But, because our Morris is early, this is the right clutch for the age of this car.
20:00So, if I put this on, could you please rotate the front lower crank, and then, if I line
20:07that up.
20:08All right, just twist it a little bit.
20:11Oh.
20:12Oh my gosh, that's it.
20:13You're in.
20:14Yeah, that was it.
20:15You must have some Morris Minor luck going on this morning.
20:20I remember doing the starting up a car in the winter when the battery was dead on that.
20:25Yeah.
20:26I've never been prouder.
20:28Other than the reconditioned engine, I've no guarantee that any of these parts actually
20:33work.
20:34And I still have to fit the entire drive line into the car.
20:38But that's got to be easier than lifting a whole house and fitting structurally critical
20:43sill beams.
20:47Fingers.
20:48At 400 quid for the lot, Duncan's cut a great deal.
20:51But with each beam weighing the same as a grand piano, I'm starting to wonder if this
20:56is a DIY job too far.
20:58Yeah.
20:59All my life.
21:00I've spent 900 quid on a refurbished engine I hope will get my Morris Minor traveller running.
21:17But first, we've got to fit it.
21:20I've got limited access in the barn and just a basic engine hoist.
21:24You won't have to go to the gym.
21:26Making it tricky to achieve a steep enough angle.
21:33Right, go on then.
21:34Pick it up.
21:37Oh, man.
21:38It's literally, I reckon, another two inches.
21:44Drop the jacks.
21:45Alright, it's coming down now.
21:46Yeah, let's go down.
21:51Right, that's the front lower.
21:54Hang on.
21:56Oh, man.
21:57This is tight.
22:04Go on.
22:05Go on.
22:06One wrong move could damage the engine and the Morris' immaculate paintwork.
22:11This is how tight it is.
22:13Like millimetres.
22:15Yeah.
22:16But even if we get it in.
22:17Just got to clear them nuts, that's it.
22:23Look a bit tight.
22:24We've still got to line it up with the mounts to secure it.
22:27Okay.
22:28Right, you're going to have to get underneath.
22:29Yeah.
22:30Just think you have to get underneath with your bare hands, dude.
22:33Muscle it.
22:34Just go rip it up.
22:36Yeah.
22:38It's got to come down a bit more.
22:39Yeah.
22:40Yeah.
22:41How are we looking?
22:42It's lining up with the mounts quite nicely.
22:45What happened?
22:47Did you drop it?
22:48It's getting quite heavy now, isn't it?
22:49Yeah.
22:50We're stuck now.
22:51Why does that not want to go down?
22:52I'm going to have to remove the mount.
22:53Attach it to the engine.
22:55Right.
22:56Going down successfully now.
22:57And then secure it in place.
22:58Yes.
22:59Don't move.
23:00Don't move.
23:01Don't move.
23:02Don't move.
23:03God.
23:04Yeah.
23:05Yeah.
23:06Yeah.
23:07We're stuck now.
23:08Why does that not want to go down?
23:10I'm going to have to remove the mount.
23:11Attach it to the engine.
23:12Right.
23:13Going down successfully now.
23:15And then secure it in place.
23:18There you go.
23:19Don't move.
23:20Don't move.
23:21Don't move.
23:22Oh, this is a...
23:25You've got lovely ice.
23:27Right.
23:28Push this one.
23:29Perfect.
23:30Oh my gosh.
23:33We are now cooking on camping gas.
23:36Engine secured and the gearbox hooked up to the driveline.
23:40It's crunch time.
23:41This car hasn't started in decades.
23:43Turn the key.
23:44Turn the key.
23:45Turn the key.
23:46Turn the key.
23:47Okay.
23:48There's a button.
23:49There's a button.
23:50Nothing's happening.
23:51Right there.
23:52With the S on it.
23:53Right.
23:54Do it.
23:55Do it.
23:56Okay.
23:57Come on.
23:58Put it in second.
24:00And we're moving.
24:01Right.
24:02Yes.
24:03All right.
24:04Kill it.
24:05Because we haven't got any cooling in there.
24:06This is great.
24:08Engine runs.
24:09Gearbox works.
24:10Because we've obviously turned the engine on.
24:13And we're moving.
24:14And we're moving.
24:15Right.
24:16Yes.
24:17All right.
24:18Kill it.
24:19It works.
24:20Because we've obviously turned the rear wheels.
24:22Our driveline is complete.
24:23So let's get the cooling system done.
24:25I'll order an exhaust.
24:26And then I'll just want to drive it.
24:29Before any road trips, I also need to give the brakes an overhaul.
24:34But first, there's the urgent issue of making the house structurally sound.
24:39So we're going to tackle this wall.
24:41Which basically means we're going to put four acros on the top beam.
24:46Yeah.
24:47Four acros on the bottom beam.
24:48Lift it up.
24:49Put the new oak beam in.
24:51Exactly what we're going to do.
24:52What's the risks?
24:53The full stand.
24:54First, we need to fit a plank in the panel room to prop the inside.
24:58Bits the left a bit.
24:59That's good.
25:00Then on the outside, we'll slide on strong boys.
25:05God, they're heavy aren't they?
25:06Steel blades that fit on top of the prop stands and create a shelf to slide under the beam.
25:12It's going.
25:14God, it's creaking.
25:15It's creaking.
25:16These should take the weight of the house.
25:18Can you hear the noise?
25:19I can see it.
25:21Yeah, loose, loose, loose.
25:23This is the most weight though isn't it?
25:26Oh my God, that is loose.
25:28There's no way.
25:29That is carrying the weight.
25:32There's no way.
25:33That is carrying the weight.
25:35The weight's on the top.
25:37The weight's on the top.
25:39The weight's on the top.
25:40The weight's on the top.
25:41way that is carrying the whole house. Yeah, she's floated. With the weight taken off
25:46them we can now remove the old sill beams.
25:55There you go. Oh my god, the whole house is hovering.
26:02Think about the house is built like a skeleton, a car chassis in oak and it's
26:07just rested on a beam at the bottom and we've lifted it. So right now it's just
26:15hovering on six hand-adjusted acro props. This is this is a big nervous moment.
26:27That's crazy. While Michael cleans up the area ready to install the new sill beam
26:36we've got unfinished business with the Morris Minor.
26:41Guide that end in for me buddy. Attaching the original radiator means we can move on
26:46from the engine bay. This new exhaust pipe set me back to 65 quid. Now that exhaust
26:54pipe is clamped with this clamp to the cast manifold.
26:59All right, that should self-support now.
27:04Yeah, that's it. Yeah? Yeah.
27:07All right, do you want to stay there and get comfortable and I'll pass you the middle section.
27:12Take that one bud. Lovely.
27:14If this exhaust system isn't completely secure our Morris won't be fuel efficient and could leak
27:21dangerous fumes. Right, you've just got to spin it. Wiggle wiggle.
27:26Yeah? Is that airtight? One more.
27:30Go on. Yeah?
27:32And get these clamps tight.
27:38Take your time buddy.
27:39Right. Yeah, you just chill at the back there.
27:42That's it then. Fire up by a cup.
27:45All right.
27:49Right, you ready, Dunk?
27:50Yeah.
27:53Wait.
28:03Any leaks?
28:04No leaks.
28:06Perfect.
28:10She runs. Now I need to make sure she stops.
28:13I've spent a hundred and thirty quid on new brake parts,
28:18but I've kept the receipts in the hope of salvaging as much as I can.
28:22These brake shoes are actually quite usable.
28:24Bear in mind they've been sat inside that drum for 40 years doing no work.
28:29Yeah, I'll save a few quid.
28:32If it ain't broke, don't fix it.
28:36But these brake pipes aren't looking so great.
28:39We're just going to remake this one because this one's got some nasty little kinks in it.
28:45The rusty cylinders also need replacing.
28:48Oh my god, it's biting me.
28:52Come on.
28:54That one is seized.
28:56Ow!
28:58What are you laughing at?
28:59Just like the thought of you in paint, to be honest.
29:02Idiot.
29:03Oh, I'm bleeding now as well.
29:04Oh, babes.
29:06Now I've bled over the Morris.
29:09Does that make it a bleeding Morris?
29:11Bleeding Morris.
29:12Okay, there it is.
29:16Oh my gosh.
29:18The back plate cleaned and painted.
29:21Now to attach the new cylinders.
29:23Hey Dunk, is that pipe ready?
29:25Yeah, all done.
29:27Is it going to fit?
29:28What, first time?
29:33Dude, that's sliding straight in.
29:36Next, it's the brand new bleed nipple.
29:38Flexible hose.
29:40And finally, those salvaged brake shoes.
29:44Before I put on the drum, I need to make use of the Morris' ingenious brake adjuster.
29:50There's a tiny little cam in there that either
29:52decreases or increases the distance of the shoe away from the drum.
29:56But what I want to do is hand it in its
30:00smallest position, right there.
30:02That way it's easier to get the drum on.
30:07Now with that drum freely spinning,
30:16I now want to hit those adjusters through that hole.
30:23So all I'm doing is rotating it on that cam
30:29till I can feel it starts to lean against the drum.
30:33Too little and it's going to take a big pedal engagement before it touches the drum.
30:37Too much and the car's not going to rotate.
30:40It's actually going to be in a state of constant braking.
30:45Yeah, you can now hear it.
30:47It's slightly different.
30:49It's under a little bit of pressure.
30:51It's just kissing the inside of the drum.
30:53The Morris' braking system is now fully restored to its former glory.
31:02I can't wait to test it.
31:03Right, hit the pedal when you're ready.
31:05Ready?
31:06Oh my god!
31:09Boom!
31:10That is it.
31:11In fact, that is the Morris Minor mechanically sound.
31:17She runs, she drives, she stops, she steers,
31:21she cools, she fuels, and she looks like a legendary vehicle.
31:25That's a lot of takes.
31:28Lower her down!
31:30If I can get the interior just as perfect,
31:33I've got high hopes our Morris could make good money at auction.
31:43But that'll count for nothing if we don't make savings
31:46by making the house structurally secure ourselves.
31:49Using taller sill beams means we only need to trim the bottom rotten part of the upright,
31:54retaining as much of the original oak as possible,
31:57and keeping the council happy too.
31:59Mine full of fingers, because we're tired.
32:02Hot and ratty.
32:03We're not tired.
32:04We're ratty.
32:14Wayne?
32:15Yeah?
32:15Yeah.
32:17There.
32:20Beautiful.
32:22Packing slate into the gaps under each upright adds extra support.
32:30And how does that edge get finished?
32:31So what we then do, we get a bit of dry mortar, lime and sand, and we'll dry pack under there.
32:40And when that's done, then we release the pressure and that all transfers
32:44away across the whole wall.
32:45Yeah.
32:46And then we can remove the props and pray that the house doesn't collapse.
32:51While my Morris Miner's exterior was lovingly restored by its original owners,
33:05the interior very much wasn't.
33:07So I'm calling on the expertise of my mate Craig.
33:12Yo!
33:13How's it going?
33:13All right.
33:14Good to see you.
33:15Who's been upholstering for over 40 years.
33:18Warm drive, that.
33:19Yeah, you're going to like this one.
33:20Oh, am I?
33:23Right.
33:23I have carefully gathered all the interior bits for you.
33:27I've also got replacement seat covers that came with the car.
33:31I know, right?
33:32Well, providing me fit.
33:34I didn't even think about that.
33:36Well, you grab that one.
33:37I'll grab this one.
33:38Let's stick it in there and get you kicked off.
33:39Let's have a look what my workspace is like.
33:43First, he's got to take the seat apart.
33:46The fabric that's on this is Rexene.
33:48It was the nearest equivalent to leather at the time, which made these vehicles more affordable.
33:52And this webbing is called Pirelli webbing.
33:59It's a rubber webbing and it was originally made by Pirelli, the tire company.
34:04So I've got this stripped down to the frame.
34:06This one's painting.
34:09While I prep the frame for Craig to weave his upholstery magic,
34:13over at the house, Duncan's working his own lime plaster wizardry.
34:17I'm going to knock up a little bit of dry mix.
34:19The non-hydronic lime.
34:20A bit of sharp sand.
34:23To put the finishing touches to our new sill beams
34:26and make sure the house stands firm for another 500 years.
34:30Under every upright, we've put a little bit of slate.
34:33Now this will go in and just before we take all of the weight off the building,
34:37we want to take the acrose out.
34:39It will spread the load, stop the sill beam moving and just gives it a nice solid base.
34:45I've returned the freshly painted seat frames to Craig to upholster.
34:54He's using new webbing, but keeping the original fibre matting,
34:58gluing on new seat foam and scrim.
35:00Where you've got this joint between foam and this, it just smooths it out.
35:06Then it's on with the new seat covers.
35:09Some silicon spray and that's going to act like a lubricant so that this will slide around on there.
35:16And this rubber tube pushes inside there and that's literally all that holds this seat in place.
35:22Just like the seats, my decrepit 500-year-old farmhouse is also set for a new lease of life.
35:35We're ready to remove the support stands.
35:38Fingers crossed it doesn't collapse.
35:40So this is it.
35:41Yeah, so time to take it down.
35:43You might hear a little bit of creaking, but...
35:45All right, that's taken the load off now, so now that is all...
35:56I can hear it creaking.
35:57It's creaking.
35:58All right, unwind you a bit more.
36:05The house is still standing.
36:07Yeah.
36:08Some of this timber could be getting on for sort of 900 years old.
36:12You know, there's no nails in this at all.
36:15This is proper old craftsmanship.
36:18And we can preserve this now for another couple of hundred years.
36:22So structurally, we're sound.
36:24Now we've got to make a weather tight.
36:25Yep.
36:26Steps of progress.
36:27Perfect.
36:30In the barn, it's all hands on deck to get my Morris fitted out and sold to help cover the costs.
36:39That's all done.
36:40Ready for the seats.
36:41Perfect.
36:42But don't go away just yet, because this is Danish oil.
36:46This is going to give a little bit of extra life to this wood.
36:49Go with the grain.
36:51Okay.
36:52Extra life.
36:52You might need to do me as well.
36:56In fact, Dad, if I give you this rag, do you want to erase mum from the other side?
37:00Okay.
37:01Right, I'll do the passenger seat.
37:03Do you want to do the driver's seat?
37:03Yeah.
37:11That is it.
37:16Our Morris miner is done.
37:19It's amazing.
37:20Let's hope it makes money.
37:22This is definitely a profit yielding car.
37:24Remember what you sold your one for?
37:26It might have been 150 quid, something like that.
37:29Showed it for a donkey.
37:31Yeah, all right.
37:34Now to figure out how much I need to make.
37:37We bought the car for 7,350 quid, but later we did an engine deal.
37:43The 900 quid pretty much got us everything we needed to get the car running.
37:47A bit of contingency.
37:48We have spent £1,136 on this car, and it's all been mechanical.
37:55Which means this car, as it stands here today, owes us £8,486.
38:02Eight and a half grand.
38:04And what's it worth?
38:05If this doesn't make over 10, I'll eat your hat.
38:11But before my Morris is sold, I have to drive her.
38:14And for Dad, this isn't just a car.
38:19It's a time machine.
38:20My life is charming.
38:25So he drives, just as I remember.
38:27I love it.
38:29Man, it goes through the gears perfectly.
38:32The steering is wonderful.
38:36Oh, yeah.
38:39Oh, man, this is great.
38:41This is a road trip car.
38:44And you're going somewhere not in a hurry.
38:47Does this bring back memories?
38:48Oh, yeah.
38:50And driving with Mum in the back, holding a baby, and no seatbelt.
38:56What do you think Mum would think of this?
38:58I think she'd love it.
39:00When I took my driving test in my first Morris bike, in 1957,
39:04you had to do an emergency stop.
39:06Okay.
39:06And the examiner would put his hand down, or his click board down,
39:10on the dashboard to go stop.
39:12So you ready?
39:13I'm ready when you are.
39:14Mel!
39:15Oh, yes.
39:16I passed that one, too, in 1972.
39:31Now, this project was a huge risk.
39:34And ultimately, standing now in front of the car, having driven it, the risk has paid off.
39:38The engine was a worry, the fact that it was on the floor of the garage.
39:41But we overcame it with a really good plan B.
39:45You know, 900 quid for a replacement engine that came with everything, bought reliability.
39:50It's had a full mechanical overhaul.
39:53Brakes.
39:53I mean, the engine, everything about this car, it's just on the bun.
39:58This is a great driving car.
40:00This restoration has also been a little bit of connecting with my dad.
40:03I mean, I've learned stuff that I never realised.
40:05His first car was a Morris Minor.
40:07And he remembers his traveller.
40:09You know, this has been way more than just a nuts and bolts restoration.
40:12Isn't that the coolest thing about classic cars?
40:15The thing that's the most important isn't the bit that they're built to do, the driving.
40:18The most important bit is about connecting.
40:25It's the classic car auction at Silverstone Festival in Northamptonshire.
40:30A huge day for our little Morris Minor traveller.
40:33Oh my gosh, she just looks so charming.
40:35Yeah, we're on pole position there at Silverstone.
40:38Yeah, someone's going to be getting a really good usable classic.
40:43Right.
40:44It owes us just under eight and a half.
40:46Yeah.
40:46Eight, four, eight, six.
40:48I think you'd be pushed to find a better one.
40:51We've left nothing on the pitch though.
40:53We are walking into the auction hall knowing this is the best this car can be.
40:56Yeah.
40:58Shall we?
40:59Come on.
41:00Okay.
41:01Right, it's done now.
41:03She's going for sale.
41:03Ladies and gentlemen, a very, very warm welcome to you all.
41:12All right, here we go.
41:14Sweaty hands.
41:14This is the wonderful 1963 Morris Minor traveller.
41:18I mean, we gamble on the no reserve, but ultimately there's always going to be a handful of bidders for this.
41:22Five thousand, five, five, six thousand and a half.
41:25Oh, straight in.
41:26Three bids online straight away.
41:27We're up to six.
41:27Six and a half.
41:28Six and a half.
41:29Seven.
41:30Oh my God, it's moving quick.
41:31Oh my God, it's moving quick.
41:32Five hundred and a half.
41:34Nine thousand, five hundred.
41:35We're into profit.
41:36We're into profit already.
41:36Five hundred, five hundred.
41:37We say ten.
41:38We do.
41:38Ten thousand.
41:39Look at it.
41:39Five hundred and a half.
41:40That's five figures.
41:41Five hundred and a half.
41:43I don't know what you was worried about.
41:45Never worried.
41:46Yes, twelve thousand.
41:47Oh my God, Charles Morris has pushed into twelve grand.
41:49Twelve thousand.
41:50You're alive.
41:50It's still going.
41:51Keep pushing it.
41:52Keep pushing it.
41:52Keep going.
41:53Twelve thousand.
41:54We all done?
41:54Yes, the guy in the room.
41:55The guy in the room's bidding.
41:56Right guy there.
41:57Twelve thousand and a half.
41:58Welcome back.
41:59Twelve thousand and a half.
42:00Thirteen thousand.
42:01Thirteen thousand.
42:02Thirteen.
42:02Come on, give him thirteen.
42:03Yes.
42:04Say thirteen.
42:05Half.
42:06Yes, thirteen.
42:06Half.
42:07Thirteen.
42:08Half.
42:08Back at the room.
42:09Oh my God, come on.
42:10Thirteen and a half grand.
42:11Lucky that time.
42:12Thirteen and a half.
42:13Thirteen and a half there.
42:14Well done, sir.
42:15Thirteen thousand.
42:16Five.
42:17Four.
42:17Two.
42:18Zero.
42:20And the new owner's not a Nigel.
42:22It's a Chris.
42:23It's a lot of history.
42:24A passport test found it 50 years ago.
42:26And I've always looked at another one.
42:28This one really looks beautiful.
42:29I can't wait to have a driver there, Raymond.
42:31Well, she drives beautifully.
42:32And I'm really, really pleased for you.
42:34The fact that we made five thousand, about more than five thousand pound profit.
42:42I mean, this is a mega day.
42:44This is a mega day.
42:45All of a sudden, the car that's got wood in the frame is the one contributing to repairing
42:50the wood in the farmhouse.
42:52And then saving a load of cash on the house, doing it ourselves, at the same time making a
42:56load of cash on the Morris.
42:58It's all just added up.
43:00I can't wait to tell my dad.
43:01We just made five grand.
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