1951 Morris Minor tourer

Researching this month's feature car while watching 'The French Connection' (Hey, that's the way I like to work!), I was struck by the similarities between the two. Both are classics. Both were hugely popular on their debut, then went through a period when they were decidedly unpopular. They were virtually forgotten and now both the cinema classic and the iconic British small car have come full circle and are being embraced by a whole new audience.

While there's no actual French connection with the Morris Minor, but there is a Greek/German one in the form of Alec Issigonis. Before he created the Mini, Issigonis also was responsible for the Minor, a large part of its success attributable to the level of engineering Issigonis built into the Minor: monocoque construction; independent front suspension; rack & pinion steering; and downsized 14 inch wheels. The only thing Issigonis didn't have control over was the engine - he would have to work the car around the already old 918cc side valve unit.

While the engine was never the early Minor's strong point, just about everything else was. It handled superbly, steering was responsive, it was reliable, had decent passenger and luggage room and, despite looks to the contrary, was one of the most advanced small cars of the immediate post war period

From its debut in 1948, the Minor would remain in production - virtually unchanged - for more than two decades, outlasting not only most of its rivals, but also several of the cars that followed it, even those from within the BMC stable.

A factory engine upgrade (to 1098cc) came in 1963, but enthusiasts were adding their own mods well before then. Twin SU carbs were an early performance upgrade, while the addition of a supercharger was another way to make the Minor more hare than tortoise.

We doubt if many would have gone to the lengths of the previous owner of our feature car who has added a complete 1275cc engine from an Austin-Healey Sprite Mk IV. Unsurprisingly, this gives the Minor a lot more pep, aided by the 5 speed Celica gear box, so cruising at highway speeds should present no problem. Extractors, an alloy rocker cover and booster for the power-assist front disc brakes fill out the detailed engine bay.

However, what's under the bonnet only covers a fraction of what's been done to this car. Being a '51 model tourer (ie. softop), it's still the 'lowlight' style, but the addition of a pair of later model 'highlight' front guards give our feature car a quad headlamp appearance that, in my opinion at least, looks good.

Just about everything else on the car has been replaced or refurbished as part of a $30,000 restoration: new carpets & upholstery; new convertible hood; $5,000 2-pac paint job; rechromed everything; new 15" Simmons alloys with Yokohama performance tyres; aftermarket SELM wood steering wheel and matching shifter knob; Clarion CD stereo; additional instrumentation (tacho, oil & temperature gauges). . . . the list goes on in what is one of the most comprehensive modern restos we've seen.

A Queensland car all its life, this Minor still carries the now rare Q-plate registration (meaning only a rear plate is required).

Tourer models like our feature car, along with the timber-framed 'Traveller' wagons, are the most desirable of all Minors, so finding one like this in such good condition is a bonus.

The amount of aftermarket gear means this car won't appeal to the Morris traditionalist, and as such, comparisons to the usual alternatives like Ford Anglia, Austin A30, maybe even a Renault 4CV or Dauphine are irrelevant.

Someone looking for a 'left field' choice of daily driver, maybe even a business promotional vehicle could do well to give our feature car a closer look and test drive.

I reckon it's just like the DVD version of 'The French Connection' - ie. a good thing. . . made better. Mike Ryan

WHAT, WHERE, WHEN & HOW MUCH

Model: Morris Minor

Year: 1951

Dealer: Undercover Cars

296 Old Cleveland Rd East

Capalaba, QLD, 4157

Ph: (07) 3823 1483

Price: $16,850

0-100 kph: About 14 seconds

Best point: Major $$$ resto custom. . . .

Worst point: . . . . but still a Minor

Recommendation: Reliable retro fun

Trivia: To celebrate the millionth Minor in 1961, Morris realised a limited edition of 350 Minors bedecked with special 'Minor 1,000,000' badges in - wait for it - lilac. Yes, LILAC! No, we don't know why either