Morris Minor 1000 (948cc engine)

By the mid 1950's the Morris Minor was a well established and respected small, family sized car, the one thing it lack though was 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.

The new engine gave the 1000 the capability of higher cruising speeds and generally more flexible derivability. Other improvements included a larger rear window on the Saloons and a new one-piece front windscreen. They also replaced the Morris gearbox with a lumpy Austin box which was originally part of the Austin A30 Engine gearbox marriage.  The car still had the Bendix starter, and the SU petrol pump.

The model was an immediate success and by 1961 Morris Minor/1000 production had passed the magic 1,000,000. To mark the occasion a limited run of 350 (one for each UK dealer) lilac coloured Minor 1,000,000's were built. 

Buyers Guide Morris Minor 1948-1971 featured in Practical Classics March 2008 – available from our sister site Bookbase. Click here to view.