The question, “What’s in a name?” can be often applied to various automobile models such as the Morris Minor like this 1967 example. For an entirely new design, you’d think a name like Morris “Major” would be more apropos. Using the model name Minor is like starting the “Fourth National Bank”, who wants that one? I’d stick with the First National Bank, thank you very much. Then again, maybe the Minor name was chosen to accentuate the Minor’s packaging and diminutive size which would make sense. Whatever the case, the 1967 Morris Minor that we have for review today is in pretty fine nick!. It is located in Roseburg, Oregon and is available, here on craigslist for $6,000. Thanks to Denny N. for this tip!
Speaking of size, the Minor (1948-1971) was indeed small with an 86″ wheelbase, 148″ length (12.3 feet), and a curb weight of only 1,700 lbs. And research indicates that it was the smallest post-WWII Morris produced – so the name is appropriate. Approximately 1.6 MM Minors were assembled over its 23-year run and body styles including two and four-door sedan, a convertible, and a station wagon.
This original California domiciled example is said to be super clean with no needed rust repairs and has recently undergone a disc brake conversion. It also has the added benefit of, “the ladies think it’s cute (It’s adorable!)” – that’s the seller’s description, not mine. It’s hard to say what’s been done to this Morris over the years so that it could maintain all of that cuteness, but admittedly, it does present well. Actually, we cover quite a few of these from time to time and this is probably the nicest example that I have encountered. It even has a British Motor Heritage Trust Certificate.
Power is provided by the standard 48 HP, 1,000 CC, in-line four-cylinder engine, connected to a four-speed manual transmission and driving the rear wheels. The mileage is listed as being at least 116K miles but there’s no word regarding engine rebuilds, modifications, etc., though it is claimed to “run fine“. What’s not fine is the ignition system’s constant “on” state which drains the battery. Also, the ignition switch won’t kill the engine so the seller circumvents the entire matter by pulling the coil wire – sounds like the ignition switch is on the fritz and is in a constant circuit-completed mode regardless of the key position.
The interior is spectacular! This Morris has had to have undergone a restoration to show, both inside and outside, as well as it does. The blue vinyl upholstery and door cards appear to have seen little to no use and the headliner is in remarkable condition. Note the center-mounted speedometer, as I had it explained to me awhile back, that was done to accommodate right or left-hand drive. Other than the aforementioned no-turn-off situation, it’s safe to say that this Morris Minor needs nothing but I guess, a new owner.
So, does cute sell cars? Who knows, it’s in the eye of the beholder I suppose. But cute or not, this Morris Minor is one excellent example, wouldn’t you agree?
This is a such a nice, well maintained classic so why crap out on such an easy repair for such an essential function as shutting off the motor? Pull the coil wire every time? Give me a break. I just looked it up, new Lucas-style ignition barrel, $24.95 on eBay. Maybe a couple hours on Sunday afternoon to install?
At the very least install a battery cut-off switch accessible from inside the car so you don’t have to pop the bonnet every time you park.
It was called Morris Minor because…the boss insisted. The planned name was to have been Morris Mosquito but Mr. Morris himself disliked the then-new streamlining (in the late ’40s) and they had to name it after a previous model for him to sign off on getting it built.
More Morris Minor trivia, directly related to this ’67 car with its’ left-hand drive and all-red taillights; after having its’ best American sales years in the 1958-60 import car boom, the Minor was withdrawn from the US market sometime in the early ’60s, reintroduced for ’67 and withdrawn for good after that one year when the first safety regs kicked in, BMC-soon-to-be-British Leyland being unsure how much longer they’d be building the almost 20 year old Minor at that point and unwilling to put in money to meet them.
Something IS adorable about the Morris, and not as anemic as one would think. With a claimed top speed of an optimistic 75 mph, I’d have to think it would do 55, the absolute MINIMUM a car should go today, with no trouble. Again, a car for back alleyways and country lanes, 6 lane interstates, not so much. Since the nearest interstate is 100 miles away from me, I’d love to have this. It simply bamboozles me, in ’67, we had Grand Prixs, Thunderbirds, and Caddys and the Brits had this and you know? It was good enough for them.
It was good enough for a lot of Americans, too … my parents had one circa 1965! I loved that car.
Have you ever been to Ohio? Home of the Fifth Third Bank?
Frank, those banks are all over Florida.
But somehow, that seems appropriate. .
The nature of that improper fraction has always bothered me. I’d like to petition the board to change it to “One and Two Thirds” Bank.
JO
I had a 59 convertible in college. With the top down, fixed rear windows, and the front windows down framed with metal it looked like a giant baby buggy. Howard is right again, best suited to 55 mph 2 lane roads for travel. To college coeds the cute factor was undeniable.
Remember the this engine was also used in the Sprite/Midget, and anything you could do to one of those you could do here, including a 5-speed transplant. That would make it much safer as well as more fun in modern traffic. I’ve seen a number of them with later model Japanese 4-cyl engines as well, although I thing I’d rather stick with a souped up A-series. Either way, more fun and the same charm.
That particular engine is as close to bulletproof (meaning, in this case, almost endlessly rebuildable) as it gets, and very easily replaced with versions up to and including 1275 cc. I had to drive my Mini about 80 miles home one day with basically no cooling, because I’d lost my radiator cap and I was just stopping at every station for more water. Had to wait overnight for everything to cool down, and when I checked the oil it was basically Vaseline.
The mechanic said it’d probably need a re-bore, but after he’d cleaned up the mess all it needed was new rings and a light honing. I ran it for many more miles, including Palo Alto to Nashville, TN, and regular used there for anoyjer five or six years.
Cute as a bug:-)
You missed a body style, the pickup truck. It and the SW had a frame, others are mono body The bed is uprisingly wide and useful. My friend has one with a 1275 from a sprite and a 5 speed from a datsun. Those mods and disk brake conversion make the vehicle happier in modern traffic.
Also came as a panel van. The General Post Office had hundreds of them all over UK.
Had a friend Morris Minor fan who turned his pickup into an autocross car, or truck in this case, by putting a 1275 engine in it, lowered, stiffer suspension, disc front brakes, Vega wheels and safety gear. Went like stink and when it was on the track everyone else was watching. Great fun!
May be more than just the switch. Lucas wasn’t known as prince of darkness just because it sounds neat. Cloth wrapped wires and poor switches and let’s not forget the fuse block. Just be prepared to use a voltmeter and test lamp here. Have to say love these cars and price is right.
That was a great buy for someone. I’d like one with Miata power. If I could get my fat butt in one, that is.
Hey, I want to race it with my Subaru 360 !
The original Mini was smaller than the Minor,and so I think was the Series E 8 which preceded it.
I was about to say the same. The Morris Mini 850 (from ’59 on) was much smaller. Not sure why BMC/BL kept producing this from a marketing point of view with the release of the mini, but at least it was profitable.
So, BMC experts; What’s that “switch thingy” (standing vertically) which is attached to a bracket at the thermostat housing? Is it part of the carb dashpot heater jacket circuit – or?
Aussie readers will know of the actual Morris Major — somewhat related to the Minor and probably could be considered as the forerunner of the Marina. Gasp!
Easily researched on Google.
@ Frank Sumatra: Yes, I once had a checking account at the “5th Third Bank” in Ohio. Strange name but my money was safe. Well, at least as safe as anywhere back then. I wonder if that’s still true sure today though.
RB
The original Australian Morris Major, and its twin the Austin Lancer, were on the same wheelbase and track as the Minor. The had the 1500cc B series motor, different diff, etc. bigger body.
Later model, the Major Elite had the 1622cc motor and was on about 4.5” longer wheelbase. Uniquely Australian
Mr. Black a neighbor a mile or so down the road from where I spent my youth had a Morris Minor. He and his wife were older people even in the 50’s and 60’s. I think he was retired, but worked as security guard at a local bank. I always remembered seeing that little car in their yard and thinking it looks like a small 37 or 38 Chevy. They lived about 10 miles out of town and the car most likely got great gas mileage. Boy do I miss those simple days.
God Bless America
bank .0165
This is one of Jeremy Clarkson’s least favourite cars. For that reason alone I’d want this one.
It does beg for a slight drop and a nice V6 (a 13B would also be fun) to make it a fantastic sleeper.
When I was a teenager my uncle had the minor travler. Super neat car.
Had one also – at 30 mph they got 55 miles a gallon – always wanted the woody version like some people had at our church back in the 60’s.
I think this motor should be a 1098.
Agree Ron. The 1098 was introduced in the Spridgets in ’64 and the 1275 in ’67. Don’t recall any of the Minors getting the 1275 and don’t remember when they stopped making the 948 and it’s variants.
Unlike a few actual experts I know, I have a great affection for the BMC small-blocks. As I indicated several posts back, they are as close to indestructible as it gets; my first Mini once overheated enough to have the block glowing red at the top, but it STILL started right up the next day. I should not have done that, of course, but it survived at least two more years. That was the first one sold in Alaska, BTW, and while I’ve no idea what its mileage was at any point – the odometer died very early on – I can affirm that its first owners used it to commute between Anchorage and Anchor point, a good 2+ hour drive. I made a couple of those trips too.
sold
sold
I see it’s sold. Great buy…unlike that VW Bug featured earlier. Even my grandchildren like this one. Nice car!