Lot 006: Morris Minor Traveller

By the mid 1950s the Morris Minor was a well established and respected small family car, lacking only one thing: a sufficiently powerful engine. In 1956 Morris Minor fans got the car they had been waiting for, the Morris 1000, now powered by an improved A-series engine of 948cc. In 1962 this was increased again to a heady 1098cc, producing some 44bhp and endowing the car with 75mph performance and 40mpg economy. Since 1953 an estate car version had been available, known as the Traveller, which was upgraded in line with the saloons. It used an exposed wooden frame to support the rear bodywork and had split rear doors (as used on small vans) and a folding rear bench seat to increase its carrying capacity. In the current ownership since 1996, this 1963 Traveller was fully restored before the vendor acquired it. During his ownership it has always been kept garaged and well maintained and has also been fitted with disc brakes to the front wheels for improved stopping power. The red leather interior is all original and is said to be in good condition with inertia reel seat belts fitted in the back. The car is said to be in good condition overall and to drive very well with an MOT until July 2009.