Classic
DREAMCARS Mount Dora, Fla. (352) 385-1945
www.classicdreamcars.com
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on Photo to Enlarge
1964 MORRIS MINOR 1000 TRAVELLER 'WOODIE' WAGON
For us, building an Eclectic Collection of Classic Cars
for the Museum just had to include another great English car. Due to the ever
increasing popularity of the
"Woodie Wagons" we chose the Morris Minor for not only it's iconic popularity
but, it's beautiful but, 'dated' good looks. You'll find that uncovering a
Vintage Morris Minor Traveller Wagon in mint condition, like many of our cars, is as another difficult
task. They were so well used that most, by now, have been driven well past the limits of the odometer and
could have a "1" or "2" magically hidden by the fact there are only 5 digits
displayed. To ADD to the difficulty of the mission: very few Morris Minors were built,
and sent to the USA as Left-hand-Drive versions (only 212
shipped to the USA in 1964 of ALL Models* source:
Ward's Automotive Yearbook). Few still exist as they were
destroyed - or, were made into
Kelvinator Refrigerators . Most, indeed,
were "Right Hookers" (right-hand drive) built
for overseas use. Our car was discovered in San Antonio, Texas at a wealthy Gentleman's Ranch, where it was used exactly
for what it was named and intended for: a
Station Wagon. It transported passengers,
along with their respective luggage, from the Airport to his 150 Acre ranch. It was originally purchased through a professional broker in GA.
who arranged the overseas transport and acquisition. This after a visit by the owners to England in 2000 where they saw them being
professionally refurbished.
What they bought was a modern, comprehensive restoration by Morris Minor
Center in Inkwell, England. It is a true, nut and bolt
refurbishment,
stripped to the bare body shell, painted in (high-button shoes) Lacquer in it's
original colour of "Trafalgar Blue" ( one source say "Smoke Blue" ) and completed 'rotisserie style' with
literally everything replaced
including the Glass, Wood, Full Trim and full Mechanical upgrades. It benefit's
from a new (Euro) Ford 5-Speed Gearbox, Power Disc Brakes, Telescopic Shock
Suspension, Classic Pinstripe in Red, 1300cc "A+" Engine, Late Model Steering,
'Morris' dog dish hubcaps, and more. The Interior seats
were replaced with safer, High-back Versions of the original design but, are
embellished with
(Rolls-Royce-style) Red Piping. All
the Wood was replaced in the exact pattern as the original in English Ash and
recently refinished. Due
to the hot Texas climate, Air Conditioning was designed and installed by
Chisenhall.
It is said that "a Morris Traveller Wagon typifies everything
English". For us, having already experienced a personal attachment
seeing several versions in different colors, while on numerous vacations in
England, this car brought back some great memories. The choice was an easy one. As pictured here, we saw them near
'Lime Regis' (the Southern Seashore in Devonshire),
one in the ancient city of 'Bath' and another, parked curbside, in an antique
Village Square called 'Tetbury' (see photos below). The Station Wagon
or "Shooting Brake" model by Morris carries the usual "Barn Doors" and
Fold-Down Rear Seat that made it famous. The front clip being that of the 2-Door Morris and the rear
being structurally-built (not clad) from Ash at the factory in Crowley or Adderley Park Plant.
This model is
called the "Traveller" for good reason. The rear-seat lays down and makes into
a bed for the very small British, or leg-less American, occupants. Our version is
also fitted with Wide Whitewall Tires, Halogen Headlights and, as reported, benefits from the
addition of Ice-Cold Air Conditioning. Rebuilt in this fashion, it easily
cruises at 80 m.p.h. and drives like a 'new' car. Where the original, stock
version carried either a 948cc or 1098cc motor that only put out 47 h.p.
In our
intense Florida heat, and at it's tender 'young' age, it would be 'panting & drooling' after 55 m.p.h.
We will
now outfit
it with all the 'trick' options (aka: 'Bling') / accessories (including, Vintage Luggage,
Scottish Blanket, Vintage English License Plate & Plynthe, Union Jack Badges,
Art Deco Radio, English Wicker Picnic Basket, Teal Blue Glass Flower Vases,
"Prince Of Darkness" Badge, English Sheepdog Mascot and more). See you at the
local Car Shows accompanied by our 1939 Ford
'Standard Model' Woodie Wagon.
THE STORY:
The Morris Minor and Mini were the
brain-child of a Naturalized British Subject of Greek descent, Alex Issignonis.
He started his employ for the Morris Company in 1943. He ingeniously developed the
Unitary Body and Flat Four Motor with Front-Wheel-Drive. He also designed the
Morris 'Mosquito' in which the engine was set "outrageously forward" in the frame
with a deliberate SOFT, easily handling suspension. He stated: "when designing a car NEVER,
ever copy the opposition". In the Morris design he
retained the harmonious curves of the bonnet, roof and tail while the front
wings blended into the doors which swept outwards at the bottom (see 1944
photo). He developed SMALL 14" wheels (while everyone else was developing 16+"
wheels) which translated into a wide track and accentuated the cars
purposeful stance. In fact, Dunlop was forced to rush into production to design and
build the tires and wheels for his design. These wheels lowered the cars center
of gravity and improved road-holding. Yet, even his revolutionary design for the Mini left
him with criticism. Issignonis, then in fact, left Morris over their differences in
1952 when Austin merged with Morris and joined Alvis. While in their employ he actually developed the 'V8
Sedan' (which they also failed to build).
After several years (frustrated?) he went back to
Morris, which had become Morris-Austin. It subsequently, shortly thereafter, became British Motor Co.
Finally his talent for genius was recognized and he was appointed Chief Engineer. He 'exploded' into action by building the now famous
Austin Mini Cooper (remember the design dated back to 1952-56). That car went into production in
1959 and continued through all the way into 2000 (it was later acquired by BMW). When the last
Mini left the factory they had built an amazing 5.5 million cars.
For his accomplishments, Issignonis had the honor of being
'Knighted' for his efforts by Queen Elizabeth. He was known equally not only for
his genius but, for his arrogance
& opinionated observations. When complimented on his design of the Mini by a
famous Italian body builder he surprisingly quipped back- "I am not a 'designer',
I am an Engineer'. In fact, he was even of the opinion- " that a car radio should not be
offered, as it was a distraction to the driver". Conversely, Reginald Job-
his Body Designer, said of Issignonis, "he understood your (design)
problems straightaway...he was wonderful to work with- he pushed you all the
time but, you didn't mind because he filled you with a sense of importance when
working with him. He had a very quick brain- and was in front of you
all the time".
The Austin Mini was subsequently voted
"The European Car of the Century" by an International Panel.
Issignonis was the same
gentleman who developed and went on to built the Morris we have featured here. By
1953, the need was recognized for an Estate Wagon (sometimes called "Shooting Brake"
in the U.K.), mostly in
America, where the "Woodies" were gaining popularity. So, the birth of the
"Traveller Wagon" was initiated.
The car was instantly popular. By
Dec 22, 1960 - Morris had sold 1,000,000 Morris cars and continued production
until 1967. At that point, after 14 years of basically looking-the-same, they were considered 'dated looking'... which,
today, is part
of their charm. If you follow the blogs on the Internet, people still
write TODAY of the charm of owning a Morris, their ease in driving and the
'cuteness' factor. They are considered my most to be "bullet-proof' for
longevity
and are often seen at Car Shows and 'Auto Jumbles' all over Europe including, England, Scotland, Wales
and even in America. They are considered by some "The Model 'A' of England". We are proud to add such
a beautiful example to our Collection.
OnC
(CLIC(Click on Photo to Enlarge)e
set of each style you originally had
A VERY POPULAR
CAR ABROAD, HERE ARE SEVERAL "MORRIS TRAVELLERS" SEEN IN TETBURY, BATH AND LIME
REGIS, ENGLAND