Morris Woody a cult classic

  They don't come much cuter than this lovely old Morris and its made to match trailer. The Morris Minor , designed by the same bloke w...

 

They don't come much cuter than this lovely old Morris and its made to match trailer. The Morris Minor, designed by the same bloke who gave the world the Mini, was produced from 1948 right up until 1971. It was the first British car to sell over a million units and is considered a classic example of automotive design, as well as typifying "Englishness". The Traveller wagon with wood panelling joined the lineup in 1953. My father who owned many cars had a 'Woody' when we lived in Sydney's Earlwood back in the Sixties (before building in Eastwood). We liked a bit of wood. The one we have here is a fully restored 1971 model, the last of its kind -- together with matching trailer made from a 1954 model.

Though a distant memory the Morris Minor was a revelation at a time when most people were still driving around in dusty old pre-war machinery.

It had unitary construction, modern styling, plenty of interior space, rack and pinion steering and torsion-bar independent front suspension. The first Minors came with a side-valve four-cylinder engine from the Austin A35, but in 1952 the newly formed BMC announced a major revision in the form of the Series II. It saw the introduction of the A-series overhead-valve engine and new gearbox. The revised styling seen on the last of the MM series (with high-mounted headlights) was carried over until October 1954, when a revised fascia and horizontal bars on the grille were added. Another change was the switch to the back axle from the Austin A30 in place of the original Nuffield-type. Along with the wagon, convertible and panel van versions were added from 1953.

By the time production ended in 1971, a remarkable 1.5 million of the cars had been produced.

Minor remains an endearing first classic car with a tremendously loyal following. It's a popular choice today for the enthusiast looking for something reliable, uncomplicated, and rewarding to own. And this one could be the finest example remaining in Oz, says Shannons who will be auctioning the car as part of its 'Spring-Timed' online auction which gets underway November 8. Imported from the UK in 2010, where it was originally delivered new to Dorset, this 1971 Morris Minor 1000 Traveller has recently undergone a full and extensive restoration. Finished in Porcelain Green with cream steel wheels, the wagon is beautifully detailed with a new wood kit, a period roof rack and new chrome throughout. All the rubbers are new too, as are the tyres. Inside, the beige vinyl front bucket seats are original but everything else has been retrimmed, including the matching beige rear bench and door cards, and dark green carpets. Green piping has been used as a highlight on the seats and door pulls, while timber headlining provides a spectacular finishing touch. Under the bonnet the 948cc four-cylinder engine has been rebuilt too, and our Traveller comes with a handy matching trailer made from a 1954 Minor as well. Previously on NSW historic registration, the 1971 Morris Minor Traveller is being offered for sale unregistered. Car and trailer are expected to sell in the $35,000 - $45,000 range. You can find the Morris here.

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