FEATURE – 1954 Morris Minor ute

Words: Mike Ryan

Photos: Collectable Classic Cars, SA

The Mini is rightly regarded as one of the most significant cars of all time and rightly so, but its success has overshadowed a model from the same manufacturer that preceded it and was just as innovative in its own way – the Morris Minor.

When it debuted in 1948, the Minor was a significant leap forward and one of the most advanced cars of its era, while still being affordable for the motorist of average means. Designed by Alec Issigonis, who would later engineer the Mini, the Morris featured monocoque construction, torsion bar front suspension and rack-and-pinion steering; all of which were relatively rare in 1948.

Had Issigonis got his way, the Minor would have even more innovative, with a flat four engine and fully independent suspension built into the original design. The bean counters at Morris put a stop to that, though, so the Minor came to market with a sidevalve inline four carried over from the pre-war Morris 8 and a leaf spring rear. Regardless, the Minor provided reasonable performance and exceptional handling compared to many other cars of this period. Those characteristics, along with an affordable price, made it a winner almost immediately and it continued to be a popular choice with new car buyers, even after the arrival of more modern alternatives.

Engines changed over the years, mainly becoming larger and moving to an overhead valve configuration, while the level of standard appointments increased over time, too. Styling would be tweaked, but the Minor's fundamental shape and purpose as an ‘everyman’ car barely changed during more than two decades of production.

Like the VW Beetle, the Minor served the motoring requirements of a LOT of people. It’s also a car that many grew up in, which explains its enduring popularity today. Owner’s clubs are located all over the world, including some places that’d surprise. But getting back to the Minor’s initial success, it’s surprising that it took so long - almost five years after launch of the sedan and tourer (convertible) - for commercial versions to be added to the range.

A ute and van – eventually

For the small commercial vehicle buyer inclined toward a Morris, the pre-war Z Series was their only option until May, 1953, when a Minor van and utility (which the UK market called a ‘pick-up’) were finally released. Design work for both had been completed as far back as 1949, so why it took so long is something of a mystery. Even moreso when you consider that the post-war MO Series Morris Oxford (the Minor’s big brother) had commercial models available in 1950; less than two years after launch.

The merger between Austin and Morris to create the British Motor Corporation (BMC) in 1952 would have been a factor in the delay, along with the impact this had on product planning – models that were once rivals were now stablemates – and dealer networks.

An unintended result of the creation of BMC is that Minors finally gained a modern engine in the form of Austin’s ‘A Series’ overhead valve 803cc inline four, in 1952. Smaller, lighter and slightly more powerful than the sidevalve four it replaced, the A Series was arguably still too small for the Minor, with any performance potential blunted by low gearing, too.

Regardless, the all-new Minor ute and van received this engine, along with most of the sedan’s front-end styling, too. The van had a high-roof body and the ute a styleside tub, but the more notable differences were under the skin, with both commercial models featuring a separate chassis. This made them more suitable than a monocoque body for carrying a heavy load, which was officially listed at 5cwt (250kg) and led to the ‘Quarter-Ton’ label being applied to both vehicles.

Unlike the larger 10cwt Oxford commercials that added a column change for the four-speed manual, the Minors had a floor shifter. In the utes, there was a special scallop in the standard bench seat to accommodate both this and the handbrake, while vans usually had bucket seats. Most other interior features were as per the sedans, including the dash layout, steering wheel and pedals that were both tiny and close together.

Other notable differences between a Minor sedan and Minor ute was the lack of semaphore indicators on the latter and a basic specification that made even the spartan sedans seem luxurious. Rubber flooring was standard, with only a single tail light fitted. A heater was optional and even a passenger sunvisor was an extra-cost item.

As the Minor evolved, most of the updates and improvements carried over to the ute and van, too, including the 948cc A Series engine (leading to the ‘Minor 1000’ name for the sedans) that was introduced in 1956 and an even larger 1098cc version from late-1962. These more powerful engines allowed for increased payload, too; first to 6cwt (300kg), then 8cwt (400kg) for the final versions.

For Australian buyers, the latter upgrade would have been foreign, as the Minor ute was discontinued locally in 1962, just before the introduction of the 1.1-litre engine.

While the 948cc engine was better than the 803cc version and certainly an improvement on the old 918cc sidevalve, it still wasn’t enough for many commercial vehicle operators. Fortunately, the aftermarket had a solution.

A Welcome Boost

The Minor ute featured is fitted with a Shorrock supercharger, which it must be made clear is an upgrade that doesn’t turn this vehicle into a rocketship. These British-built superchargers were relatively common in the 1950s and ‘60s and were all about enabling vehicles to keep up with traffic on the motorways that were springing up in the UK at the time.

Available for many post-war British cars, Shorrock superchargers seem to have been particularly popular upgrades for Ford Prefects and Anglias, Standard 8s and 10s, Hillmans and MGs, as well as Morris Minors. In the case of Minor commercials, adding a supercharger would have been a rarity, but when it was fitted, this upgrade was all about ensuring a fully-loaded ute could get up hills at more than walking pace, rather than winning the traffic light grand prix!

For the ute featured, the Shorrock blower was added by the previous owner, who complemented the power upgrade with a set of front disc brakes from a Fiat 124. The current owner (and seller), Carl Harman, has bought and sold several Minors over the years and still has a pair of Minor 1000 sedans in the garage, so is well placed to judge the merit of this ute’s two main upgrades.

Of the supercharger, Carl says it improves the 803cc engine's peak output of 30hp (22kW) by around 40 per cent. Obviously, this is a lot, but Carl says it doesn’t turn this workhorse into a racehorse. The power delivery isn’t immediate, meaning that, like a turbo, you have to learn how to drive with this arrangement to get the most out of it. The front discs ensure braking response is much more immediate, which Carl says makes a classic like this much more suited to driving in modern traffic, where every other road user assumes you can stop on a ten-cent piece.

From North to South . . . to Market

Carl, who took a love of Minors from his native UK to Victoria and now resides in Strathalbyn, South Australia (what he calls the classic car capital of the country), was introduced to this modified Minor ute at the 2023 Morris Minor National Rally, which was held in SA last April. The owner back then, Alex Connors, another longterm Minor lover and President of the Brisbane Southside Morris Minor Car Club Inc., made it clear he was looking to sell the vehicle.

Along with the supercharger and front brake upgrade, a modern stereo had been fitted under Alex’s ownership, along with custom seat trims and hubcaps that are far fancier than anything this ute would have worn when new. Alex explained to Carl that most of the upgrades had been fitted recently, but the restoration of the vehicle was older. This included a respray in its original pale blue paint, new rubbers, new exterior trim, new chrome and a new timber floor for the tub. The ute is still very presentable today, but the age of the restoration is evident in some areas.

Getting back to the 2023 Morris Minor National Rally, Carl recalls that, even though he wasn’t looking for a new addition to the fleet, he was drawn to the ute and chuckles when he says it was very much an impulse buy. It’s a decision he doesn’t regret, though, explaining that he’s had a great time in the vehicle and gets it out at least every month, with longer and more frequent time behind the wheel for club events. However, Carl’s been bitten by the caravanning bug, so one of the Minor fleet has to go and he’s chosen to part with the ute.

Just consigned with Collectable Classic Cars, also in Strathalbyn, SA, at time of writing, it’s unlikely this vehicle will be there for long. The price is affordable (see breakout) and Carl says all the mechanicals are in excellent condition, with a dyno tune completed just last year. For the purist, the supercharger can be removed, but it’s what makes this Minor ute extra special and certainly what drew the attention of JUST CARS, hence this feature.

A Great Start

Today, Morris Minors are among the most accessible vehicles for first-time classic car owners, being affordable, very usable, with a strong club scene and good spare parts network, too. Carl believes that, in addition to suiting a first-time classic car buyer, this ute could also be a great promotional vehicle for a business, as the engine and braking upgrades make it usable in modern traffic while still retaining the head-turning looks of a classic.

Just as Carl was entranced by this cute ute when he first saw it, we’re sure someone reading this article will feel the same way. Maybe that someone is you?  

FOR SALE

Restored and modified in Queensland, this 1954 Morris Minor utility has a state-issued mod plate for the braking and supercharger upgrade. The Shorrock supercharger (worth a claimed $6,000 on its own), is bolt-on, so the engine can be converted back to natural aspiration.

Inside, the bench seat has custom vinyl trim, with custom timber glovebox lids, too. A modern stereo has been added, along with a pressure meter for the supercharger, but the rest of the cabin is stock.

This classic ute with a modern twist is ready to drive and enjoy as is, or altered back to original engine spec to suit the Morris purist.

Available from Collectable Classic Cars in South Australia, the asking price is $29,999.

For more details, click HERE or contact Collectable Classic Cars on 0411 744 190