Potted History of the Morris Minor

In case you're wondering how this all came about, here is an in a nutshell history of the Morris Minor.  If this is something that interests you, there are loads of great sources out there, but this should give you a flavour.  The Morris Minor wasn’t just a car, it was Britain’s best-loved family companion on wheels. Designed by Alec Issigonis (the same chap who later created the Mini), it rolled into the public eye at the 1948 Earls Court Motor Show. At the time, it looked modern, friendly, and surprisingly roomy compared to the austere, post-war competition.

Production ran all the way from 1948 until 1971, and in that time over 1.6 million Morris Minors were built. That’s a lot of happy families, learners, delivery drivers, and policemen all chugging about in the same cheerful little car.
The line-up went through several evolutions:

Series MM (1948–1952): The very first. Side-valve 918cc engine, “cheese grater” grille, and split windscreen.
Series II (1952–1956): Introduced the overhead-valve A-series engine, much livelier, with improved performance, initially with an 803cc engine and then later the larger 948cc engine. Minor 1000 (1956–1971): The best-known version, with the larger 948cc, later 1098cc engines, bigger windows, and a one-piece windscreen.

It came in several flavours: 2-door saloon, 4-door saloon, convertible, Traveller (with its famous wooden ash frame at the back), van, and pick-up. There really was a Morris Minor for everyone.

The car was never flashy, but it was always dependable, affordable, and oddly stylish in its simplicity. By the late 1960s, faster and more modern cars had arrived, but the Minor carried on until 1971, when production finally stopped. By then it had cemented itself as part of British motoring history.

 

 So many Morris Minors were produced in the UK that when they reached the millionth sale in 1961, to mark the occasion, 350 limited Minor Millions were produced. These were finished in a distinctive lilac paint colour, with a white leather interior and a special Minor 1,000,000 badge. The Minor Million is highly sought after these days.

 

Today, the Morris Minor has a huge following. Clubs across the world keep them alive, parts are still easy to get, and they remain one of the most practical and friendly classics you can own. People don’t just admire them — they smile at them. And that, really, is the true legacy of the Morris Minor.

Why This Matters For You
By knowing the story behind your Morris Minor, you’re not just driving an old car — you’re taking part in a living history. Every journey adds another page to the story that began in 1948.