Lot 458: Morris Minor 1000 Saloon

Arguably the fondest-regarded of 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 Morris's existing 918cc sidevalve four, the Minor received an 803cc overhead-valve engine in 1953. 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the headlamps moving from the radiator grille to the wings on the Series II, the split front screen being superseded by a curved one-piece windscreen on the Minor 1000 and flashing indicators replacing the original semaphore trafficators. Easily maintained by the home mechanic and served by a multitude of spares suppliers and specialists, there can be few more ideal 'starter' classics than the Morris Minor, particularly later examples such as this one, which was purchased from Old Star Garage by the current vendor five years ago. Owned from new by the previous private owner, an elderly gentleman, the car had only 18,000 miles showing on the odometer when purchased, to which the vendor has added a further 8,276. Described as in generally excellent condition, this tax-exempt vehicle is offered with MoT to June 2010 and Swansea V5.