1961 Morris Minor

This 1961 Morris Minor Traveller is a right-hand-drive estate that has been modified using chassis and drivetrain components from a second-generation Mazda Miata. The current owner acquired the car in January 2021, following modification and refurbishment work that included refinishing the body in green over a beige interior. Power comes from a Miata-sourced 1.8L inline-four paired with a four-speed automatic transmission, and other features include 15″ Minilite-style wheels, power-assisted four-wheel disc brakes, front and rear independent suspension, Tein adjustable coilovers, a tubular header, a stainless-steel exhaust system, custom flared wheel arches, bright-finished roof rails and bumpers, auxiliary front lighting, LED taillights, aftermarket front bucket seats, Vintage Air climate control, a custom center console, electric windows, Miata-sourced instrumentation, and a RetroSound head unit. This modified Traveller is offered with a picnic basket, a BMIHT certificate, refurbishment records, a 2009 MOT test certificate, and a clean Oregon title in the seller’s name. Originally ordered in Smoke Grey, the car was refinished in green following modification of the fenders with flared wheel arches. Traveller models feature a wood-framed rear section, and additional details include driving lights, fog lights, an electric antenna, rear double doors, and Ford Zephyr–style LED taillights. Bright-finished details include the roof rails, grille, trim, and bumpers. The seller states that the side mirrors are loose and the rear-door dampers require replacement. Gray 15″ Minilite-style wheels with bright-finished lips are mounted with 195/50 BFGoodrich gForce Sport tires showing 2012 date codes. Braking is handled by power-assisted and slotted four-wheel discs with Wilwood front calipers. The chassis has been modified to utilize Mazda Miata–sourced front and rear subframes and independent suspension, and Tein adjustable coilovers are utilized. The interior features aftermarket front bucket seats and a fold-down rear bench trimmed in beige with matching door panels and green carpeting. Oak woodgrain trim accents the dashboard, center console, and door panels. Amenities include Vintage Air climate control, electric windows, a custom center console with cupholders, and a RetroSound head unit with Bluetooth integration. An aftermarket wood-rimmed steering wheel fronts a body-color steel dashboard that houses Miata-sourced instrumentation consisting of a 150-mph speedometer, an 8k-rpm tachometer, and auxiliary gauges. The digital odometer indicates 76k miles, and true chassis mileage is unknown. The seller has added approximately 250 miles. The 1.8-liter Mazda twin-cam inline-four has been retrofitted and is equipped with custom intake piping, an aftermarket tubular header with heat wrap, and a stainless-steel exhaust system. Power is sent to the rear wheels via a four-speed automatic transmission and differential that reportedly were sourced from a Miata. Additional images showing the condition of the underside are included in the gallery below. The British Motor Industry Heritage Trust certificate was issued in July 2008 and lists build dates, factory colors, and specifications. The car was initially dispatched to England’s Isle of Wight, and a December 2009 MOT test certificate from Christchurch, England is viewable in the gallery.