Morris Minor Two-door Saloon

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The rounded and thoroughly modern looking Morris Minor was launched at the 1948 Earls Court Motor Show. Designed by Alec Issigonis, it was conceived as a vehicle to combine many of the luxuries and conveniences of a quality motor car but at price affordable to the ordinary man – or district nurse.

Equipped with independent torsion bar front suspension, all round drum brakes and rack-and-pinion steering, the Minor excelled as a roomy vehicle with superior cornering/handling characteristics, and continues to delight driving enthusiasts to this day.

In 1953 the Series II was introduced with an OHV 803cc engine borrowed from its cousin, the Austin A30. Further improvements followed in 1962 with the introduction of the 1000. Upgrades included an increase in capacity to 1098cc and a better breathing Westlake head, which boosted power to 48bhp. Top speed was increased to a heady 77mph.

During a remarkable 23-year production run continuing right up until 1971, some 1.3 million Minors were produced in saloon, convertible, Traveller and commercial forms.

In the attractive colour combination of pale blue over dark blue vinyl, this 1964 two-door saloon has been in the Stondon Motor Museum collection since 2003. The owner prior to this kept the car for 11 years. The milometer shows a reading of 20,167 though this is not warranted. The car is equipped with a sunroof and comes with some documentation; the driver’s handbook, blue V5 document and several old MOT certificates.

Although the car reportedly runs well, it has not been used on the road for a decade and will doubtless benefit from a thorough recommissioning before use.