1971 Morris Minor 1000 Traveler Woodie Wagon

In 2007 this 1971 Morris Minor 1000 Traveler Woodie Wagon was brought to the Monterey Sports & Classic Car Auction presented by RM Auctions, where it had an estimated value of $15,000 - $20,000. It was offered without reserve and sold for a high bid of $17,600 including buyer's premium. With the exception of the MG sports cars, the Morris built vehicles are relatively rare in the United States. This example is fitted with a 1275cc Morris 1300 overhead-valve four-cylinder engine that produces 60 horsepower. There is a five-speed manual gearbox and four-wheel disc brakes. It is finished in yellow with red wheels and finished in the Minor Traveler wagon body style. It was restored in England in 2004 with new timber and steel panels. At the time its original 48 horsepower 1098cc engine was replaced and fitted with a more modern and more powerful engine. The result was a gain in horsepower by 25%. Other non-standard items to this car are the Michelins on all four corners that give the car sporty-handling.

The Morris marque was among the first UK automakers to introduce a new design for their vehicles following the Second World War. Importation into the United States continued until 1971 when exhaust emission and other regulations became too much for the Morris Company to contend with. This, along with competition from other marques such as Volkswagen and Japanese companies, Morris decided to cease the importation.

By Daniel Vaughan | Feb 2010