1970 Morris Minor 1000

Lot details
Registration No: GWJ407J
Chassis No: MAZS51284211
Mot Expiry: Nov 2012

The Morris Minor is almost as universal a symbol of England as the London bus and the red telephone box and, with over 1.3 million manufactured during its twenty-three year reign, is one of the most successful cars of all time. Designed by Alec Issigonis (who later penned the ubiquitous Mini), the Minor was unveiled at the 1948 Earls Court Motor Show. There were two variants at launch - a two-door Saloon and Tourer. The four-door Saloon followed in 1950 and the popular Traveller, Van and Pick-up versions completed the range two years later. The first versions, MMs, were produced from 1948 to 1952. The semi-monocoque bodies were equipped with independent torsion bar suspension at the front and a live axle mounted on leaf springs at the rear. Power came from a 918cc straight-four, side-valve engine producing 27.5bhp and 39lbft of torque - sufficient output to propel the gamely newcomer at speeds of up to 65 miles per hour. With the Series II of 1952, came a new, Austin-designed engine - the A-Series 803cc OHV unit. The more major update of 1956 saw the engine increased in capacity to 948cc (the car was now renamed the Minor 1000), the rear window enlarged and the split-screen front one replaced with a single pane. 1961 saw the Minor become the first British car to achieve a million sales. The final iteration of the model followed a year later and featured a further increase in engine capacity to 1098cc, a modified fascia layout with recessed centre section in textured steel, a return of a glovebox lid for the passenger-side cubby hole, improved heater and more contemporary-looking front light units.

The 1098cc Morris 1000 on offer is a two-door example produced in 1970 and finished in Maroon complemented by a Red interior and Cream wheels. The Minor comes complete with a tow bar and is MOT'd into November.