The Big End - The Mighty Merlin - Part II

Merlin was to be modified with a special brake and suspension system, which would entail fitting as part, radius arms and dampers. This necessitated welding specific reinforcing plates and special turrets to the vehicle. These were manufactured, aligned and welded in the required places.

Once the chassis and the fabric of the vehicle was reconditioned to a desired state, final painting using black Hammerite was applied to the inner floor and wing areas, ready to fit a set of new wood. The best way to do this is of course to thoroughly prepare and proof the new wood before fitting. previously applied, was a 20-year impregnating wood preservative. This had been given a good period of time to dry. New metal side panels were made, prepared and sprayed ready to fit to the wood sides. The wood was then given a base coat of sealer varnish, again allowed to completely dry. It was now time for the sides to be assembled. This was done using a suitable table covered with a protective sheet. I built up the sides using the famous Dum Dum putty and numerous stainless steel screws. Note I said stainless steel, as to use basic metal screws would, when these corrode, leach out the staining rust into the wood.

Once the wood sides were ready, They were offered onto the prepared vehicle, aligning them vertically and horizontally into the correct place.

Next, the roof bracings followed by the roof which, had previously been stripped of paint and prepared for spraying. The new gutter flanges were shaped onto the roof and again prepared for spraying. After completing the various details such as the spraying of the roof, the rear doors, side windows and some of the interior fittings, I was ready to take this part finished vehicle out on show over a period of eighteen months, showing Merlin at various Classic shows up and down the country, getting much interest in its progress.

In 1989, I decided to finish Merlin and get some road use and feedback. A special engine was purchased from Oselli and this together with a special close ratio cross cut competition gearbox and clutch fitted to the car. The brake and suspension system was finished together with several other modifications devised.

Once the vehicle was finished to a required road going stage then it was time for some serious testing. this was done with great enthusiasm and I obtained some creditable results, especially on some track and drag strips around the country. All the time Merlin gained quite a reputation, being seen quite often with other specialist vehicles. Of course, the pedigree of Merlin was a very special Morris two-door rally car that had creditably raced over a period of two years with the Tavern Motor Club of Bristol as a development vehicle. Much had been learnt from this exercise as well. On one particular occasion while driving up the Motorway, I encountered a BMW who saw only a Morris and obviously thought Merlin such an inferior machine that he could not wait while I overtook a vehicle in the fast lane, flashing his lights at me to give way. I let him through and proceeded then to match his speed for a good distance. This obviously had immediate effect for when I indicated to leave the motorway into a Service area he followed me up the ramp and into the fuel area, as did several other cars, their drivers also curious to find out how such an older vehicle could stay up with and hold its own with modern vehicles.

That day I can safely say that I converted some of these drivers to re-think the alternative. This has become a trend and with Merlin's agility and safety features, together with it excellent outward appearance, has gained the vehicle a good place as an ambassador for the marque. Merlin was built to be used as a research and development vehicle, In addition, this has been its primary role over the years. It has gained quite a fan clubs on the way and has assisted me to gain much foresight into what can be achieved with this fabulous car?

This summer after some four years off the road, I carried out a full refit and refurbishment of the vehicle fitting, special seats and a close ratio Ford gearbox, together with a more powerful engine. I did manage to get to one rally on the IOW, and next year I will be on circuit with Merlin. In its day, Merlin was a first in many ways. Modified cars within the Morris Minor world were then somewhat shunned and what was then quite radical has today become quite normal. Merlin I hope has proved what can be done without harming the aesthetics of this excellent vehicle.

© Chris Street, November 1999