By Marcal Eilenstein
If you want to combine your love of British motoring with your need to move small loads, then keep reading.
What we have here is a plucky little Morris Minor; a 1959 Morris Minor Traveller, to be exact.
From the ad:
The powertrain consists of a Datsun A15 motor with a 5-speed synchromesh overdrive transmission (both completely rebuilt) for more reliable power and relaxed freeway cruising. This is a close cousin to the original motor since Datsun originally built Austin motors under license from England. The drum brakes have been replaced with disk brakes on the front and suspension has been converted to tubular shocks. It looks completely stock, but these upgrades make it reliable and able to keep up with traffic. It has an alternator electrical system and modern, tri-bar halogen headlights so you can rely on the electics. Rebuilt SU-carburetors.
So far, so good. As restomods go, this is one of the better ones. Other than the wheels, there is little indication that this is anything but a clean Morris. All the upgrades to the engine and brakes are for safety, not outright performance or show.
That is a very clean engine bay. Every wire and hose in its place. I like the placement of the battery, up and out of the way.
The price is not exactly exorbitant, but it’s not exactly cheap, either, is it? However, if you have $12,000 burning a hole in your pocket, you can put it in the bank and worry about it disappearing, or you can put it in a classic British machine, which will certainly turn heads and attract thumbs from all directions. What do you think of this little blue woody wagon?
[Source: Seattle craigslist]
Jeff Glucker
I'd hoon this over a MINI Cooper Clubman.
Remember the Panasport thread? These wheels fail- they should be +1 and a lower profile tire. This little car would be better off with steelies and whatever passes for dogdishes in England.
The original hubcaps, for example, would be just fine, aside from probable brake clearance issues with the original wheels. It's a shame the Minilite has become the go-to wheel for British restomods, they're a bit, er, unimaginative.
I don't have an aversion to Panasports- just this meh style. Needs depth, a little dish to it.
<img src="http://image.turbomagazine.com/f/24986768+w750+st0/turp_0105_15_z+datsun_510_bluebird+panasport_wheels.jpg" width="400">
At the 2009 Monterey Concours Classic, parked on the main thoroughfare in Carmel was a Morris Minor Traveller with a twin cam Toyota mill under the hood looking very shiny and spiffy. Since spying that beautiful creation I've been awaiting the inevitable write up on any of my favorite websites … but it's been crickets so far. This one is a close second – a very classy woodie with just enough modernization to keep up with the Geos and 300d's while hauling your kit to the beach.
Out-frickin'-standing.
If my wife's floral business were a bit more lucrative, this would be her company car.
If this were your wife's company car, I imagine her floral business would be a bit more lucrative.
EXACTLY the point I've been trying to make with her, in dicussing recreating the Mystery Machine.
We're here to help.
Like this? <img src="https://www.corvair.org/media/k2/items/cache/267b1948fa84309bc99f9c0289cabe44_XL.jpg" width="600">
Is the 1959 Morris still for sale?
SOLD or not?
Hi I am interested in your 1959 Morris Minor Traveller posted above. Is it still available and for sale?