Lot 433: Morris Minor 1000 Convertible

Arguably the fondest-regarded of all Britain's post-war saloons, the Alec Issigonis-designed Morris Minor was launched at the 1948 Motor Show and by January 1961 had sold one million units to become the UK's most successful post-war car to date. The first new post-war Morris design, the unitary-construction Minor boasted torsion bar independent front suspension, rack-and-pinion steering and a four-speed synchromesh gearbox. Powered initially by the company's existing 918cc sidevalve four, the Minor received an 803cc overhead-valve engine in 1953. A pair of two-door models was offered initially: a saloon and a convertible. A four-door saloon appeared in 1950, estates and commercials following later. In 1956 the Minor 1000 with 948cc A-Series engine appeared, and the model received a further capacity boost (to 1,098cc) in 1962. The styling too was revised progressively: the headlamps moving from the radiator grille to the wings on the Series II; the split front screen being superseded by a curved one-piece windscreen on the Minor 1000; and flashing indicators replacing the original semaphore trafficators. Despite the many changes the final Minor remained recognisably the same car as the 1948 original. By the time production ceased in 1971, more than 1.5 million Minors of all types had been sold. Presented in good running condition, this Minor 1000 has not been used regularly for some months and will require gentle re-commissioning. The vehicle is offered with assorted expired MoTs, Swansea V5, SORN and MoT to May 2010.