The Happy Traveller.(Escape Roads)

Byline: ERIC TEGLER

In postwar Britain the ubiquitous Morris Minor was a model of functionality, perfect for navigating narrow U.K. roads, serving the Royal Mail and the average bloke with equal aplomb. So successful was this Alec Issigonis design that it was the first British car to reach production of 1 million units. In addition to light commercial variants, the Minor came in saloon and convertible models, as well as a station wagon model, the Traveller. Yes, the British, along with motorists all over the world, loved the Morris Minor.

In continuous production from 1948 to 1971, the cars went through several evolutions starting with the first Series MM that hit the streets with modern elements including a monocoque chassis, rack-and-pinion steering and independent front suspension. When Minor builder, the Nuffield Organization, merged with Austin Motor Co. in 1952 to form the British Motor Co., the Series II was spawned.

In place of the Morris 918-cc side-valve four-cylinder, BMC added the more modern 803-cc ohv engine from the Austin A30. The car got a new gearbox, and the grille-mounted headlights were raised to meet American standards, as a number of Minors were sold in the United States. The Minor 1000 came along in 1956 with a 948-cc engine that bumped horsepower to a roaring 37. Yet another new gearbox with improved ratios, and a single-piece windshield were added.

Sales were given a boost in 1962 with a further upgrade that saw the Minor 1000 receive its final powerplant, a 1098-cc engine producing 48 hp and 60 lb-ft of torque. Larger front drum brakes, a stouter clutch, improved rear lights, a better heater and other minor interior touches rounded out the Series V improvements.

This Trafalgar Blue 1968 Minor 1000 Traveller is the treasured pet of David Toy of Cape St. Claire, Maryland. Despite having a collection that includes a Cobra replica, a Porsche 911 and a brace of BMW 2002 racers, Toy gets an equal measure of fun from this little wagon. "I went to the hardware store in it today, and I ...