I don’t see too many almost-50 year old cars in normal weekday traffic in Melbourne, and I assume that the same is true for most CC readers, so this Morris Minor convertible had me scrambling for a camera.
The Morris Minor was one of the London Motor Show debutants in the magical 1948 year for the motor industry, and would go on to become of Britain’s most beloved cars by virtue of its characterful appearance (most often described as “friendly”), simple mechanicals, easy handling and in particular an unusually long production run.
Mind you I think it was the later version that had the charm, rather than the original “lo-light”! Both versions are available to compare here.
Our feature car is a 1958 model, which is arguably in the peak era of the Minor – the 1000 model of 1956 was the second of three upgrades, or mid-cycle refreshes in today’s terminology, but before the car became increasingly outdated as time marched on. In addition to the more powerful engine (a 50 cc increase over the Mark II), there was now also a one-piece windscreen.
The alloy wheels on this example may signify that it has wom Datsun mechanical components used to upgrade performance and reliability, because after Datsun formed a technical partnership with Austin based on a relationship dating back to 1931 and the production of Austin 7s. Nissan’s A-series engine introduced in 1967 A10 Sunny with 988 cc, as a development of the 1950’s BMC original, seen here in the 1960 special edition, lilac-coloured Minor Million.
While it was taken out to 1487 cc, it is the 1397 cc version from the 1977-82 HB310 Sunny/210 that is more common in Australia, and an easy swap into a Morris Minor. Note this is roughly 20 years newer than the last Minors built in Australia, as production here ceased once the car had been superceded by the more modern 1100. Ironically while this sort of transplant was originally an expedient way to upgrade cars or keep them on the road, I presume that in more recent times such a swap may have been reversed in the name of originality.
While the car is definitely in very good condition, it is by no means a show queen. Daily-driver Minors are by no means unheard of, and it is a special car that can inspire the devotion needed to keep them on the road in significant numbers over half a century.
Further Reading
Roger Carr’s brilliant history of the Morris Minor:
Curbside Classic: 1955 Morris Minor Series II – Britain’s Favourite Car, Bar None, And Rightly So.
Very nice looking Morris .
I have a Saloon, am working on getting it road worthy .
Mine was up dated my some long ago owner with Spridget 1275 engines and rib case tranny, I’m adding dual carbys and 3.71 final drive .
-Nate
Nate, you’ve been teasing us with that car for a while now! Time to write it up! 🙂
What can I say ? .
I bought a Morris with three wheels in the Junk Yard ,I still need to do a fair bit of works to make it roadworthy…
You want me to write about test driving it with no brakes , a broken shifter that was like stirring soup , gas pouring out the tail end of the car ? .
It’s *very* cute and endearing , I know I like driving it but I still prefer Beetles .
I don’t have the gift of gab you do Aaron .
-Nate
I think you underestimate yourself Nate, I’m sure we are all willing to be crash test dummies for your writing!
O.K. John;
We’ll see ~ I’m going to look at the ’63 Beetle and mayhap I’ll scribble some words about it or my Metropolitan Nash FHC .
-Nate
The low gearing is what makes old English cars hard to use in modern traffic Ive inserted a 3,89:1 Hillman Hunter diff centre into my Minx and with the 1600 engine its more than capable of keeping up with traffic, I hit 80mph overtaking a line of cars last week it was still picking up speed when I lifted off and theres a Singer twin carb set advertised in the club magazine maybe I should buy and fit them, mmm do I need speeding tickets?Nope.
Just so Bryce ;
It’s dead simple to make most LBC’s go 60 ~ 65 MPH all day long .
-Nate
First thing that popped into my head was the Madness music video for “Driving in my Car.”
Never been fortunate to see one in the metal.
What a classic bit of British Understatement, to call your car the “Minor.” We don’t like to brag, but we’re currently making a perfectly acceptable automobile.
My uncle used to have a convertible Minor when I was a kid, the slightly earlier model with the splitscreen, it’s shown here in company with a few other cars including a 4 door Minor 1000 saloon. Note the opposed wipers on the split screen. The photo was a reject from my Dad’s slide collection so there’s a little damage to the old Agfacolor slide. Photo taken in Ugley, Essex 21st July 1962.
The Mini van was pretty new then but the rest are fairy standard fare: Standard Ten, an old Austin Devon A40 and (I think) a post-War Vauxhall Ten – may be even ex-Military Wartime version given the lack of chrome on the bonnet flutes.
That is rather an unfortunate name for the town…
Im from Essex but never heard of Ugley. The mini van looks sensationally modern in that picture.
The name is quite amusing! There’s an Ugley Church too http://www.mabbs.co.uk/uk/anglia/essex/ugley543.jpg
There used to be an Ugley Women’s Institute, but they changed their name!
Ugley Women’s Institute? Classic.
Despite being in Ugley, those Minors are far from it!
The last time I remember seeing these in any number up here in Canada was on top of a pole to advertise for a company called rent a wreck. I have seen a few for sale in the Victoria used car classified website. Neat looking cars but the original beetle is more my style…
Still a common sight here in the Morris Minor world capital, Ragtops are a bit scarcer than sedans but there are still plenty of Minors in daily use, peak minor was probably when the 1100 engine went in as standard equipment about 62/3, Nice utes too though the early lolite never came as a commercial it should have, NZ still has plenty of lolites either on the roads or stashed awaiting rebuilds it will be a sad day when Minors become a rare sight here.
I considered the 1100, but 6 years after the 1000 the basic car was getting long in the tooth. Still a good car, perhaps if they had done the Marina/Allegro split and replaced the Minor alongside the fwd 1100, well who knows?
My Dad had one, from 58 or 59 but in pale blue and non Nissan parts.
The most fondly remembered car in the family without a doubt.
I have had my fair share of Morris Minors. Infact so many I lost count. I have had 2 panel trucks, 1 Pick up, 2 Travelers, many 2 door most of them between 1958-1965 model years, 1 early series with a side valve or flat head engine, 1 four door and only 1 Convertible. It was a 1958 like the one above. It was red with Flowers painted on it. (It was the late 1960’s and I had long hair and Bell bottoms). Everywhere I drove it I got a smile and all the girls loved it and they waved when I passed by. It was a chick magnet. Somehow my father ended up with it. I think I gave it to him when I got my 1965 Comet Caliente Convertible (another story). He sold it to my best friend who said to me after he had it for a week, “I didn’t know you had so many girlfriends, they are always waving when I drive by” I just smiled and didn’t say anything.
It’s that old CC effect, I just saw a Minor (not convertible) in my neighborhood on Saturday, first Minor I’ve seen in a while (I’m in the US).
Actually, I see a Minor in traffic every day! My neighbour over the road has a van that he alternates with his Mk II Cortina as his daily driver. The Minor is mint in white.
In my part of the world (England’s southern Home Counties) Minors are still a common sight – you’re more likely to see a Minor than a Metro, Cortina or ADO16. They’re classless, easy to maintain and appeal to all ages and both sexes. I trundle a few hundred miles each week, and will always see several Minors in use, saloons, convertibles and vans.
Minors, proper Minis, and MGBs are the three classics still abundant on British roads. Unlike all the other owners club darlings, and the showboat and track day queens, these three are driven and enjoyed by people whose first interest isn’t necessarily old cars, but just a lifestyle choice. Curious that, after all the company’s travails, it should be three BMC/BLMC cars that survive – albeit all rooted in the 40s and 50s.
Two hours later, post-commute: one Minor, one Mini 1000. Also a Deux Chevaux and (fine weather special) a TR6.
I’m not particularly fond of these but they did make a van version with an exposed wooden frame, a sort of miniature station wagon/van/estate car.
That was the Traveller, with actual structural wood. And not such a good candidate as a daily driver because of that, although I’m sure there will be someone who does it!
A local guy has been daily driveing a woody for 30 years or so ported and polished 1100 engine and with a Triumph gearbox with overdrive I see it regularly.