Morris 1000 Traveller

The new post-war range of Morris cars was announced in 1948 and included models from the Minor MM to the six-cylinder MO. The star however, was undoubtedly the Minor, a radical replacement for the pre-war series 'E'.

Apart from the side-valve engine, everything else was new and the Issigonis-designed Minor MM became an instant success. In 1953 the Series II came along with an OHV 803cc engine borrowed from its cousin, the Austin A30.

Further improvements followed in 1962 with the introduction of the 1000 which included an increase in capacity to 1098cc and a better breathing Westlake head, boosting power, torque and top speed to 77mph. During its remarkable 23 year production run, 1.3 million were produced, and thanks to the fantastic supply of available parts, thousands have survived making them a common sight on the roads of Britain after all this time.

This 1967 Traveller was purchased by its first owner in Northwich. He kept it until 1990, at which time it passed to the vendor’s father who ran it as his everyday car. It eventually passed into the hands of his son, by which time it was running but requiring some restoration work. This was undertaken in conjunction with the nearby Mouldsworth Motor Museum in the Spring of 2000. 

All wood was removed and the vehicle comprehensively stripped for inspection. A new floor pan and spring hangers were welded in, along with new inner and outer sills – an extensive list of parts and photographs showing the extent of the work done. Now in sound condition, the woodwork appears good and during the restoration all manner of small detail parts and seals were replaced.

We are advised that it has had an unleaded head conversion and that a collection of books including a Haynes manual, a handbook and several books on the maintainance and repair of the Morris 1000 are included in the sale. Currently tested until June 2013, old MOT certificates show that since completion it has covered a mere 600 miles, its owner deciding that it should go to a new home who will use it more regularly.