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Morris Minor

Morris-Minor

The original Minor – or poached egg as Lord Nufflield delightfully called it – initially complete with side-valve engine, was a sedate performer, and is even more so today, but thanks to delightful handling and steering, it’s still a great car to drive.

The Minor MM, launched so memorably at the Earls Court Motor Show in 1948, was originally sold as a two-door saloon or Tourer, with grille-mounted headlamps, until the four-door saloon was introduced in September 1950. These had their headlamps mounted in restyled front wings, and the change was adopted by two-doors and Tourers from January 1951.

The low-lamp Minor was replaced by the facelifted Series II in 1952. It retained the split-screen, but now was now powered by the (Austin-designed) A-series engine from Austin’s A30. This engine only appeared in four-door models during 1952, but all models received it from February ’53. Later that year the wood-framed Traveller was added to the range. Many of these cars have been fitted with the stronger 948, 1098 and 1275cc engines from a  later Minor or other BMC product.

The 1956 Minor 1000 was the best of the lot – and remains so for those who want one to drive as well as to show. The larger A-series engines finally provided power to match the handling, more so after September 1962 when a 1098cc engine replaced the 948. Larger front brakes were added at the same time. The 1000s are easily distinguished by their curved one-piece windscreen and larger rear window.

Convertibles were dropped in June 1969, saloon production ended in November 1970, but Travellers soldiered on until April 1971.


Morris Minor specs and dimensions

Engine 948cc/4-cyl/ohv
Power 35bhp@4750rpm
Torque 49lb ft@3000rpm
Maximum Speed 75mph
0-60mph 32.9sec
Fuel consumption 38-42mpg
Length 3760mm
Width 1550mm
Height 1520mm
Weight 826kg

Reviews, blogs and news stories

Morris Minor

Concepts and prototypes : The Minor that got away

1 April 2013 Keith Adams 27

Andrew Elphick dives into the archive and finds a forgotten ‘nearly’ entry into the World Sportscar Championship 36 years ago in 1977… Perhaps Porsche will never know how close it […]

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Morris

Police cars : Morris

25 September 2011 Keith Adams 3

The Morris Minor was a very popular Panda car throughout the 1960s. Also shown here is what must be one of the rarest of police cars, the Morris 1800, which […]

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Commercials

Commericials : GPO/BT vans

25 September 2011 Keith Adams 31

The installation and maintenance of Britain’s telephone network was originally the responsibility of the Post Office, and as with their purchases of Royal Mail vans, Morris (and later BMC) was […]

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AROnline News

News : Celebrating the Minor Million’s 50th

10 January 2011 Keith Adams 9

A number of Morris Minors were on show at the Heritage Motor Centre on the 4th January, 2011 to mark the 50th Anniversary of the Minor Million. The special event was […]

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Morris Minor

Morris Minor Million reaches 50…

24 December 2010 Keith Adams 28

The British Automotive Industry reached a hugely important landmark on the 4th January, 1961. That day was earmarked for the launch of a limited edition Morris Minor aptly named the ‘Morris […]

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Morris Minor

Why we love the… Morris Minor Traveller

17 August 2004 admin 0

Dave Taylor tells all about his love affair with Rose… “Rose” is a 1966 Morris Minor Traveller. She is called Rose because of her colour: Rose Taupe (a fanciful description […]

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Archive

Archive : End of the Minor

18 April 1970 Keith Adams 0

End Of The Minor The Morris Minor saloon is to be phased out of production at the end of this year, British Leyland Motor Corporation announced yesterday. But the Minor […]

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Archive

Archive : Morris Minor to stay in current form

9 January 1962 Keith Adams 5

MORRIS MINOR TO STAY IN PRESENT FORM FROM OUR MOTORING CORRESPONDENT An announcement by the British Motor Corporation yesterday assured the continuance in its present form of the Morris Minor […]

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In the Spotlight

The BMC>MG Rover Story : Part Two – Formation of an Empire, BMC is created

by Keith Adams in The Whole Story 17

In 1952, old rivalries and suspicions were allegedly slaked when The Nuffield Group and Austin joined forces to become the British Motor Corporation. The idea behind BMC was a good one; to form an enormous [...]

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