1961 Morris Minor

This 1961 Morris Minor 1000 Series III is a multi-award-winning two-door British saloon powered by a rebuilt 1,000-cc inline-4 paired with a 4-speed manual transmission. This Series III reportedly originated in California when sold new and was relocated to Arizona when its first owner passed away, subsequently spending roughly 33 years in storage until a frame-off restoration was carried out. The current owner has cared for the vehicle for four years, addressing service to the braking system and other mechanical aspects of the vehicle in summer 2021. Finished in British Racing Green over a reupholstered ivory vinyl interior, this Minor is now offered with service records, an owner’s manual, and a clear Texas title in the seller’s name.

The Morris Minor was an economy car that first debuted in 1948 from Morris Motors Limited. Through the following years, engineering and cosmetic changes were applied including the addition of a large wraparound rear windscreen and one-piece curved front windscreen beginning with the Series III in 1956. This Minor from a few years later in 1961 features a southwest-region rust-free body and was subject to restoration and a British Racing Green repaint in 2014, also receiving refinished brightwork at the same time. The exterior offers add-ons including fog lamps, chrome headlight eyebrows, chrome mirrors, a roof rack, and rear mudguards. The seller notes that this vehicle was awarded first-place honors at the Houston All British Car Day in both 2018 and 2019.

Steel 14” wheels with polished covers are wrapped in whitewall tires. The brake cylinders were serviced in June 2021.

The interior is configured with reupholstered ivory vinyl fold-forward bucket seats, color-matched to the door panels, dash, and carpeting. Content also includes a three-spoke banjo steering wheel, wing windows, and lap belts, along with modern added conveniences including a 12-volt outlet, a cell phone holder, and a fold-away cup holder.

Instrumentation includes centrally-located Smiths gauges for an 85-mph speedometer, an inset fuel gauge, an analog clock, and supplementary aftermarket Sunpro gauges below the dash for coolant temperature, voltage, and oil pressure. The five-digit mechanical odometer reads 39k miles, although true mileage on the chassis is unknown.

The numbers-matching 1,000cc Series A inline-4 was rebuilt in 2014 and features Pertronix ignition and an electronic fuel pump. Power is fed to the rear wheels via a 4-speed manual transmission.

Photos showing the underside are available in the carousel.

The sale includes service records, an owner’s manual, and spare parts such as an oil filter and an extra Pertronix module. The seller has provided videos with additional detail.