Marque: Morris - Company History & Models - Cars By Brand

Classic commercial pedants will tell you there is no such vehicle as the Morris Minor van, only the Morris O-Type. Ignore such tripe as over two decades the Minor Van gave the full gamut of customers the same combination of durability, simple engineering and dynamic ability as the saloon. The load capacity of 76cuft was another selling point but what really made the Minor so appealing was the fact that BMC also offered a chassis-cab, allowing enterprising coachbuliders to create ice-cream vans, campers and even crash wagons. Originally the payload was 5cwt but in 1962 this was uprated to 6cwt and 8cwt versions, both of which were offered until production end in 1971. Pick-ups were available and van buyers with a taste for one-manupmanship might like the badge engineered Austin (1968-1971), or even one of the many GPO Specials that were last in service as late as 1978. As ever, all what you need to restore a Minor are available.

These accommodating family cars have always been appreciated for their space (true six seaters, and with a big boot), reliability and ease of ownership. These characteristics still apply today, with the added bonus that the cars are inexpensive to buy and operate. Arriving in May 1954, the all-new, unitary construction ‘Series II’ Oxford replaced the MO. The newcomer featured BMC’s 1489cc B-Series engine; the less elaborate Cowley version initially had a slow 1200cc motor. The short lived and now rare Isis had longer bodywork, hiding BMC’s 2.6-litre C-Series engine, which provided considerable performance. Estate (‘Traveller’) versions of both the Oxford and Isis were produced. Series III models (October 1956 on) were more powerful than their predecessors. From late 1957 until 1960, a Series IV Traveller (with four passenger doors) was offered. An acquired taste but they have a loyal following.

The Minor is one of the most user-friendly classic cars you can find; economical, reliable, easy to work on and with a superb spares back-up. Replacing the Eight Series E in 1948, and the brainchild of (Sir) Alec Issigonis, the new car was thoroughly modern in concept, featuring all-new bodywork, torsion bar front suspension and rack and pinion steering. Originally powered by the Morris Eight type sidevalve engine, the Minor received the Austin A30’s overhead valve 803cc unit in 1952, following the formation of the British Motor Corporation (BMC). The Minor ‘grew up’ in 1956, with the adoption of BMC’s 948cc A-Series engine; it was now was faster and more rewarding to drive. More power came in 1962, when the 48bhp 1098cc version of the A-Series motor was installed. An all time great and so classless.

Significantly modern when introduced in 1938, these days the cars are scarce but generally not dear. Replacing the previous, well-liked Morris Tens which had been sold since the mid-1930s, the new Ten Series M arrived for 1939. As with the smaller Eight Series E, the bodywork of the newcomer incorporated a separate boot. Production was suspended during the War, but the model emerged again in 1945, in mildly revised form. Post- War examples were identifiable by new, slatted grilles. The Ten Series M was discontinued in October 1948, by which time the new Minor and Oxford models were ready for launch. Okay but Minor is easier to own and more fun.