SPOT.
Photo of a Morris Minor

Morris Minor

Britain's first car to sell a million, born from a prototype sliced 4 inches wider.12

Researched November 2, 2026 from 33 sources

Also called

  • SplittyThe split windshield fitted until 1956 gave the early cars this name.2
  • PandaUsed for Minors serving as local police patrol cars.3
  • NoddyAnother name for Minors in police service.4

At a glance

0100200
27.5–48 hpPower
0100200
94.5–128.7 km/hTop speed
0150300
53–81.3 N·mTorque
05001,000
762–787 kgWeight

The coral arc spans the family, from its mildest version to its wildest.251112

Engine
MM: 918cc sidevalve I4; A-series OHV I4: II 803cc, 1000 948/1098cc59
Layout
Front engine, rear-wheel drive2
Gearbox
4-speed manual; synchromesh on 2nd, 3rd and 4th, never 1st611
Built at
Cowley plant, Oxfordshire, United Kingdom2
Units built
1,619,958 total; more than 200,000 Travellers27

The story

Built to replace the Morris Eight with an affordable family car, Alec Issigonis' Minor combined unitary construction, rack-and-pinion steering and torsion-bar front suspension. Its Mosquito design was widened 4 inches before production.12

1947: The prototype grows 4 inches wider19471948: October 27: Earls Court debut19481952: Series II borrows the A30's engine19521953: Traveller arrives with structural timber19531960: Britain's first million-car model19601962: 1098cc, 48 hp and bigger brakes19621971: April ends British Traveller production19711974: New Zealand production ends1974 Morris Minor (1928): 1928–1934Morris Eight: 1935–1948Morris Minor Series MM (MM): 1948–1953MMMorris Minor Series II (Series II): 1952–1956Morris Minor 1000 Series III (Series III): 1956–1962Morris Minor 1000 Series V (Series V): 1962–1971Morris 1100 (ADO16): Introduced 1962ADO16 1930194019501960197019801990200020102020
GenerationsBefore and afterMilestones1256791011141617
Show the numbers
YearWhat happened
1928–1934Morris Minor (1928)
1935–1948Morris Eight
1948–1953Morris Minor Series MM (MM)
1952–1956Morris Minor Series II (Series II)
1956–1962Morris Minor 1000 Series III (Series III)
1962–1971Morris Minor 1000 Series V (Series V)
Introduced 1962Morris 1100 (ADO16)
1947The prototype grows 4 inches wider
1948October 27: Earls Court debut
1952Series II borrows the A30's engine
1953Traveller arrives with structural timber
1960Britain's first million-car model
19621098cc, 48 hp and bigger brakes
1971April ends British Traveller production
1974New Zealand production ends
  1. 1947

    The prototype grows 4 inches wider

    Issigonis has the prototype cut lengthwise and widened 4 inches, increasing cabin space and improving roadholding before production.2

  2. 1948

    October 27: Earls Court debut

    The new Minor launches in London with a 918cc engine and two choices: two-door sedan or open Tourer.2

  3. 1952

    Series II borrows the A30's engine

    BMC's Series II takes the A30's 803cc OHV engine: 30 hp and 5.286:1 gearing. A Goodwood publicity run covers 10,000 miles in 10 days without stopping.456

  4. 1953

    Traveller arrives with structural timber

    The Traveller wagon joins the range with an 803cc engine and split windshield. Its timber forms part of the body structure.7

  5. 1960

    Britain's first million-car model

    On December 22, the millionth Minor leaves Cowley. The 350-car Minor Million celebration wears lilac paint and white leather with black piping.8

  6. 1962

    1098cc, 48 hp and bigger brakes

    The 1098cc Series V has 48 hp and a 24-second 0-60 mph time, plus a balk-ring gearbox, 4.22:1 axle and bigger drum brakes.569

  7. 1971

    April ends British Traveller production

    The Convertible ends in June 1969 and sedan production in November 1970; the Traveller follows in April 1971.310

  8. 1974

    New Zealand production ends

    Production in New Zealand continues after the British shutdown, finally ending in 1974.311

Every generation

  • Morris Minor (1928)
    Morris Minor (1928)1928–1934
  • Morris Eight
    Morris Eight1935–1948
  • Morris Minor Series MM
    MM1948–1953
  • Morris Minor Series II
    Series II1952–1956
  • Morris Minor 1000 Series III
    Series III1956–1962
  • Morris Minor 1000 Series V
    Series V1962–1971
  • Morris 1100
    ADO16Introduced 1962
  • Morris Marina
    Morris Marina

Power over the years

From 28 hp to 48 hp in 14 years.

0204060 19481950195219541956195819601962 hp 1948 · 28 hp · Series MM, 918cc sidevalve1952 · 30 hp · Series II, 803cc OHV1956 · 37 hp · Minor 1000, 948cc1962 · 48 hp · Minor 1000, 1098cc 48 hp Minor 1000, 1098cc 28 hp Series MM, 918cc sidevalve
25
Show the numbers
YearHorsepowerModel
194828Series MM, 918cc sidevalve
195230Series II, 803cc OHV
195637Minor 1000, 948cc
196248Minor 1000, 1098cc

Versions

9 versions worth knowing, with their power.

  • Standard

    Minor 1000 (Series III)

    1956–1962

    37 hp

  • Standard

    Minor 1000 (Series V)

    1962–1971

    48 hp

  • Standard

    De Luxe

  • Traveller

    Standard

    Traveller

    1953–1971

  • Standard

    Tourer / Convertible

    1948–1969

  • Standard

    Series II

    1952–1956

    30 hp

  • Standard

    Series MM

    1948–1953

    28 hp

    250,962 built

  • Police Panda car

    Special

    Police Panda car

  • Minor Million

    Limited

    Minor Million

    1961

    37 hp

    350 built

How to spot one

Look for

  • A rounded, jelly-mold silhouette gives the body its soft outline.3
  • A flat strip down the hood's center records the prototype's widening.12
  • Later cars put high-set headlights on the fenders above a simple slatted grille.69
  • The Traveller's rear body is framed in exposed ash wood.9

Year by year

  1. 1949–1951

    Headlights climbed from grille to fenders, first for US exports; all Minors had them in 1951, when one-piece bumpers also became universal.210

  2. October 1954

    Horizontal grille bars and a single main instrument between open gloveboxes replace the earlier front and dashboard layout.10

  3. October 1956

    Minor 1000 brings a curved one-piece windshield and hood-side badges; its saloons also gain a larger rear window.10

  4. October 1961

    Flashing turn signals replace pop-out semaphore trafficators; the glovebox lid disappears.10

  5. October 1963

    New combined side/indicator lamps arrive; wipers now sweep together, and Travellers gain an extra round amber rear signal.10

Don’t confuse it with

  • Photo of a Morris Minor
    Minor
    Photo of a Austin A30
    Austin A30

    Austin A30

    The A30 keeps prewar proportions; the Minor's wider, more modern body grew from a 4-inch widening.2

  • Photo of a Morris Minor
    Minor
    Photo of a Morris Eight Series E
    Morris Eight Series E

    Morris Eight Series E

    Look for the Eight's waterfall grille; a later Minor has the simpler horizontal slats.1014

  • Converted two-door saloon

    Factory convertibles have spot-welded braces at the B-pillars and dashboard sides, no courtesy-light holes; later chassis numbers start MAT.515

Prices

Value today $3.9K–$10.4K13

Price when newAuction saleValue todayPrices on a log scale
$1K$10K$100K 19501960197019801990200020102020 Value today: $3,900–$10,400 1948 · $1,443 · UK base £358; approx. US$4.03/£1960 · $1,165 · UK 1000 £416; approx. US$2.80/£1969 · $1,747 · UK Traveller £728; approx. US$2.40/£ 1948 · £358 · UK base, 1948; approx. US$4.03/£; tax unstated 2015 · $30,250 · 1961 Minor 1000000, restored, Phoenix, Arizona2023 · $13,000 · 1000 Series V convertible, BaT2024 · $9,500 · 1950 MM convertible, 57k miles shown, TMU, BaT2024 · $7,600 · 1957 1000 4-Door Sedan, 16k miles shown, BaT2025 · $9,123 · 1000 Series V convertible, BaT2026 · $7,100 · 1000 Series V convertible, 5k miles shown, TMU, BaT2026 · $10,500 · 1967 Traveller Deluxe, 91k miles shown, BaT2026 · $5,824 · 1000 saloon, £4,480; approx. US$1.30/£, Brightwells2026 · $5,330 · 1000 saloon, £4,100; approx. US$1.30/£, Mathewsons2026 · $3,250 · 1953 Series II Convertible, Hammer Price2026 · $10,000 · 1967 1000 Deluxe Convertible, 8k shown, TMU, BaT2026 · $8,060 · 1968 1000, Mathewsons2026 · $8,100 · 1970 1000 Traveller, 10k shown, TMU, BaT2026 · $16,380 · 1961 Minor Million, Iconic Auctioneers $30.3K Phoenix, Arizona, 2015
2478132627282930313233
Show the numbers
YearPriceAmountDetail
1948Launch price$1,443UK base, 1948; approx. US$4.03/£; tax unstated
1948Price when new$1,443UK base £358; approx. US$4.03/£
1960Price when new$1,165UK 1000 £416; approx. US$2.80/£
1969Price when new$1,747UK Traveller £728; approx. US$2.40/£
2015Auction sale$30,2501961 Minor 1000000, restored, Phoenix, Arizona
2023Auction sale$13,0001000 Series V convertible, BaT
2024Auction sale$9,5001950 MM convertible, 57k miles shown, TMU, BaT
2024Auction sale$7,6001957 1000 4-Door Sedan, 16k miles shown, BaT
2025Auction sale$9,1231000 Series V convertible, BaT
2026Auction sale$7,1001000 Series V convertible, 5k miles shown, TMU, BaT
2026Auction sale$10,5001967 Traveller Deluxe, 91k miles shown, BaT
2026Auction sale$5,8241000 saloon, £4,480; approx. US$1.30/£, Brightwells
2026Auction sale$5,3301000 saloon, £4,100; approx. US$1.30/£, Mathewsons
2026Auction sale$3,2501953 Series II Convertible, Hammer Price
2026Auction sale$10,0001967 1000 Deluxe Convertible, 8k shown, TMU, BaT
2026Auction sale$8,0601968 1000, Mathewsons
2026Auction sale$8,1001970 1000 Traveller, 10k shown, TMU, BaT
2026Auction sale$16,3801961 Minor Million, Iconic Auctioneers
2026Value today$3,900–$10,400

The rest of the story is in the app

The full file tells why each version matters, the legend behind the car and what to check before buying one.

  • Versions

    • Why each of the 9 versions matters

  • Legend

    • 13 stories from its legend
    • “A million cars, celebrated in lilac”
    • “Group T approval, number 1197”

  • Generations

    • The story of each of the 8 generations

  • Market

    • 6 things to check before buying one
    • Where prices are heading, and why
Read the full file in SPOT

SPOT is free on iPhone. Full car files come with SPOT Plus.

Sources

Every fact on this page links to the source it rests on.

See all 33 sources
  1. Online Collections - Details Page britishmotormuseum.co.uk
  2. Morris Minor - Wikipedia en.wikipedia.org
  3. Classics of everyday design No 50 | Culture | The Guardian theguardian.com
  4. Rumblings, March 1972 March 1972 - Motor Sport Magazine motorsportmagazine.com
  5. Morris Minor 1000 – Wheels Alive wheels-alive.co.uk
  6. Welcome to the Website for the Potteries branch of the Morris Minor Owners Club potteries.mmoc.org.uk
  7. Online Collections - Details Page britishmotormuseum.co.uk
  8. 1961 Morris Minor 1000000 | Arizona 2015 | RM Sotheby's rmsothebys.com
  9. Morris Minor Review & Buying Guide (1948-1971) | Carwow carwow.co.uk
  10. Morris Minor Deutschland e.V. – Modellentwicklung und Serienänderungen morrisminor.de
  11. Morris Minor: Buying guide and review (1948-1971) | Auto Express autoexpress.co.uk
  12. Trial of the Morris Minor 1,000 July 1957 - Motor Sport Magazine motorsportmagazine.com
  13. Morris Minor values: what they sell for at auction britishclassiccars.co.uk
  14. Morris Eight - Wikipedia en.wikipedia.org
  15. Buying A Minor - Morris Minor Owners Club NI mmoc-ni.co.uk
  16. Morris Minor (1928) - Wikipedia en.wikipedia.org
  17. Alec Issigonis - Wikipedia en.wikipedia.org
  18. Jack Daniels | Automotive industry | The Guardian theguardian.com
  19. The Morris Minor that drove for ten days straight at Goodwood | GRR goodwood.com
  20. Deep Freeze Test: New York to Alaska in the Morris Minor 1000 caranddriver.com
  21. FIA Historic Database historicdb.fia.com
  22. Forza Horizon 5 Car List forza.net
  23. Classic TV Revisited: Lovejoy MEMORABLE TV memorabletv.com
  24. 85 mph-Real or imaginary? November 1956 - Motor Sport Magazine motorsportmagazine.com
  25. A Unique Chapter in Morris Motors History | British Motor Heritage bmh-ltd.com
  26. No Reserve: Morris Minor 1000 Convertible Series V for sale on BaT Auctions - sold for $7,100 on September 18, 2026 (Lot #263,742) | Bring a Trailer bringatrailer.com
  27. 24-Years-Family-Owned 1967 Morris Minor 1000 Traveller for sale on BaT Auctions - sold for $10,500 on September 2, 2026 (Lot #261,037) | Bring a Trailer bringatrailer.com
  28. 1950 Morris Minor Convertible for sale on BaT Auctions - sold for $9,500 on October 23, 2024 (Lot #167,726) | Bring a Trailer bringatrailer.com
  29. 1953 Morris Minor Series II Convertible – Hammer Price hammerprice.co.uk
  30. 1967 Morris Minor 1000 Convertible for sale on BaT Auctions - sold for $10,000 on September 10, 2026 (Lot #262,609) | Bring a Trailer bringatrailer.com
  31. Morris Minor ‘The One Millionth Car’ For Sale & Price Guide | TCV theclassicvaluer.com
  32. 1970 Morris Minor 1000 Traveller for sale on BaT Auctions - sold for $8,100 on August 20, 2026 (Lot #258,912) | Bring a Trailer bringatrailer.com
  33. No Reserve: 1957 Morris Minor 1000 4-Door Sedan for sale on BaT Auctions - sold for $7,600 on July 11, 2024 (Lot #154,096) | Bring a Trailer bringatrailer.com
  • britishmotormuseum.co.uk
  • en.wikipedia.org
  • theguardian.com
  • motorsportmagazine.com
  • wheels-alive.co.uk
  • potteries.mmoc.org.uk
  • rmsothebys.com
  • carwow.co.uk
  • morrisminor.de
  • autoexpress.co.uk
  • britishclassiccars.co.uk
  • mmoc-ni.co.uk
  • goodwood.com
  • caranddriver.com

Photo credits

Other car files