The Morris Minor Is a Quintessentially British Icon
2024 ж. 22 Мам.
79 907 Рет қаралды
The Morris Minor is one of the most successful British cars of all time, and it has become a symbol of 50s and 60s Britain. Designed by the great Sir Alec Issigonis, who would later design the Mini, the Minor was a rather radical design that moved the British motor industry forwards in the difficult post-war years.
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Definitely one of my preferred classic cars - I am also a proud owner of a 1957 Minor 1000 (very rare here in Italy) - Great video !
A very good presentation, well done. Even us “expert owners” of Moggies will appreciate this.
Thanks mate ☺️
Many people daily them because they’re more reliable than most modern cars (my old corsa D a prime example). Awesome video as usual, and cool jumper as well.
Thanks mate :)
I would do this ` kzhead.info/sun/gKepdrGNn4V4l4k/bejne.html Morris Minor Electric Conversion ` to help keep them on the road for longer :):)
This review brought back some memories. My dad had a 1962, light blue Morris Minor in Pakistan. It had a dynamo instead of an alternator for charging the battery which could start the car by hand crank. This car was prevalent as taxis in Rawalpindi, northern Pakistan thru the 90's. I remember that though the speedometer looked identical to that of the mini, it was not interchangeable as its size was larger.
I have fond memories of my mum & dad's white Morris Minor 1000 woody traveller in the 1970's .
An unusually articulate and intelligent dialogue. Your natural enthusiasm is both well expressed and highly informative. What I like most is the steady flow and complete lack of time wasting. Which is, sadly, so common to so many other's videos. Well done! 1969 MM1000 Super owner.
This is your best video yet I think. So good to watch
Thanks Oliver :)
One of the most enjoyable and informative videos I've seen re the Moggie. Loved every minute of it. Bravo Ed! Keep them coming 😊😊
Thanks Richard, that means a lot :)
Your videos are really superb..well researched, informative & interesting..very enjoyable..👍👍
Thanks Doug, that really is very kind of you :)
@@TwinCam I`d have one(restor with bits borrowed from the mini brakes/wheels) and convert to electric in a period looking way :):)
My first car, a 1959 Minor. Bought it from a lady around the corner for $35 dollars. It had been sitting for a long time in her yard. I was fifteen, no license and after fixing it up and polishing it back to its former glory, I began driving it around the neighborhood. That lasted about a week before my parents found out and forced me to sell it. I doubled my money. Wish I still had it.
My brother has had a Morris Minor as his daily for about 20 years. Most panels different colours & the ‘1000’ badge on the bootlid turned upside down to ‘0001’!
Love that!
What a fantastic and enjoyable video, the quality and your natural presentation is getting better all the time and very easy too watch.
Thanks David, that's very kind :)
This car feels like home, something modern cars lost along the way. It has warm and cosiness and simplicity just comes with it. It doesn't seem to be a car at the first place. Even my much modern 1981 Cortina Turnier has something from that spirit, also because it is in the family since 1981. It ceases to be just a car, a thing, it is like another family member.
Headlamps being too low is also why the Mk1 Healey Sprite had frog eye lights; they couldn't afford pop-up lights, so just stuck them there.
Never knew that!
Excellent presentation, with clear diction, no annoying music and very well thought out. A must watch for those of us who either owned, own or had those early British Classics. Keep up the good work. From America from someone who used to drive MGB's and TR6's in 60's and 70's.
Thanks David, that’s very kind ☺️
Memory lane. Spitting image of my Mum's split screen 1952 MK2 with the raised headlights, in which I leaned to drive. :-D
20 yrs back I had a 56 split screen in Black and a 68 minor in Trafalgar Blue, both 2 door, wishing I still did.
I'm delighted you did a video on a Morris minor. I love them ..great video ..very well done ..my elder neighbour has a minor from new 1964......56 year the same car always garaged........said when he dies I can have the car for nothing. Because he would be delighted to know its going to a good home ..his son has agreed with him ...
Thanks Robert :)
They are loved due to reliability and parts availability. The split screen is more characterful. Very good review.
Thanks Phil :)
The Australian Broadcasting Commission , in 1984 , were responsible for a magnificent dry comedy series , titled ; Mother and Son , with Ruth Cracknell , Gary McDonald and the odd guest appearance from their trusty British Stead , the Morris Minor Convertible , in British Racing Green . It sounded great , as it scooted around Melbournia .
My aunt used to have an "H" reg one, white. Great little workhorse. We used to go on family trips to scotland where we would take out the passenger seat so my gran had more room for her legs and we'd put luggage in there. Made it up scottish hills fully laden with no problem.
my parents had a station wagon when living in london in the sixties. i can remember it as a child!
I love the split windscreen and reverse handclap wipers!
Hi love the MM. We owned a 1960 MM 1000 (948cc) OHV 4dr Sdn BMC Australia built. Camden Cream with maroon int. Best car we ever owned. The wife used Maurice as her daily. Great show well done 😉👍🇦🇺
Really enjoyed another trip down memory lane - Thank you again
Its always a good day when Ed Releases a new video :)
I totally agree. I subscribe to a few other British motoring channels and enjoy them immensely, but this channel he puts out such a plethora of facts, data, etc., that I thoroughly enjoy, and compliments the other channels I watch.
Thanks so much to the both of you. You continue to be so kind :)
For someone so young.. brilliant!! Love the enthusiasm... expertise.. and passion! A natural born presenter. SUBSCRIBED! see you on the telly soon. Owen (age 61)
In 1956, my parents had to leave Indonesia, so they went to the Netherlands, bringing with them their car, a black Morris Minor. This is the first car I remember, more or less.
Loving your channel and especially the "walkaround" series, which are like a trip down memory lane for us oldies. For a young chap you have good knowledge and a nice appreciation for these older vehicles, and I don't mind admitting I'm learning a lot I didn't know from your presentations. Keep up the good work, and love to "Melvyn"! 😀
I remember there was one of these in the town I went to school in. The car was indeed very beautiful. Thanks for the video, I managed to reminisce quite a bit.
Great stuff Ed, another wonderful review and fab car. I was brought up with Minors. My old fella had loads of them (mostly Travellers) over the years.
Brilliant video again, Ed. I had a 1963 Minor 4 door in Trafalgar Blue, and rust! The 1963 had the 1098 engine, but the classic features like the pull start and handclap wipers, the brake light and side lights were also the indicators, that was short lived. Unfortunately it was a project, it needed much welding and money spent on it. My ex wife said it was her or the Minor, I made a big mistake getting rid of the Minor, I should of divorced her sooner!
Brilliant presentation, gorgeous you and the cars
Can,t believe that a 1965 in trafalger blue was my company car for 2 years, not much choice in the sixties, times have changed somewhat!!!! Malcolm Taylor
What a fantastic video. A superb review packed with history and information presented in a very professional, humorous style. Ed you're getting better and better! Your videos really are a Sunday highlight. Really looking forward to your next gem.👍
Thanks Phillip, you're ever so kind :)
Omg I’m blown away by the quality of the video and your presentation, it’s totally professional standard and the editing, sound etc is all first rate.
Thanks again Andrew! :)
A really cracking video, thoroughly enjoyed it. You're an excellent, very knowledgable presenter.
Thanks Len, that's very kind :)
Young man, you deserve a lot more subscribers, as you are excellent with your knowledge and how you put it over, I am definitely a fan of yours and of course, a subscriber
Aww thank you mate, that's very kind :)
Exellently presented 😊👍🏽 These were fantastic cars back in the day and if looked after, reliable as well.
Thanks mate :)
Excellent series of videos, concise, and well presented . Nice work !
Thanks Sheila ☺️
Hi Ed Excellent once again..... thanks for pointing me to this vlog as the first of the Saturday releases! Mike
Thanks Mike
Brilliant video. Thank you so much. I can virtually smell my parent's Minor (794 AMT if memory serves!). Incidentally all opening the quarter lights did was ensure mum and dad's cigarette smoke went straight to the rear seat passengers' lungs.
Thanks mate
One of my first Dinky Toys back in the '50s! The instant I saw the interior I knew where the Mini interior came from. Your videos are getting better and better all the time. I love the details and history you offer about each car. Most watchable. Keep up the good work. Cheers from Eastern Ontario.
Thanks mate, that means a lot :)
my first car 51 years ago loved it
Wonderful review and overview. You bring real personality to these classic cars that just ooze character.
Aww thank you Roger, that's very kind :)
Another good presentation. My late Grandmother had a driving renaissance in the mid 60s after my Grandfather died. Dad bought her one of these and she 're learnt' to drive around the local industrial estate on a Sunday with me as a passenger in the back. Nan had about 4 over the years including writing off the first one as a tree jumped out in it's path. I thought the were crappy things in the 60s and 70s by which time the Minor was very dated. They did provide economical transport for many and took their place in motoring history. Before my Nan had her last one in at the end of the 70s , as Nan approached her 80s, Dad bought her a neighbour's 1300 Beetle. Nan could not get on with the gear change and pedal arrangement. I was lucky enough to have that Beetle as my first car. How did they compare? I never drove the Morris properly on the road.
Thanks Peter ☺️ I have to say, though I love a Beetle, the Minor is a better car in every conceivable way.
@@TwinCam Well my Beetle was my first car so I was pleased at the time but it was a heap. I would say that for its age (about 11 years at the time) it might have had slightly less corrosion than many cars of the time but they have been due to light use. Generally though the 1300 Beetle I had was crap. It was noisy, slow on hills, nasty on a wet or slippery road, heating/ventilation poor. My next car was the Rover 2000 which was pure luxury!
thanks for this vid ed. My little morris minor lucy is patiently waiting to be restored atm, and i miss driving her terribly. They are a good stress relief as when u take them out for a drive, you always gets people stopping you in petrol stns and supermarkets to chat about them, and they point and smile when they see you driving. A feel good car. So well done on a great review mate :)
Thanks Michael :)
My mum had a Morris Minor Traveller (with the wood frame). I remember moss used to grow on the wood. I can also remember the distinct smell of the interior even now. Great video!
Thanks Dave
Brilliant video that really captures the character, spirit and social importance of this iconic car as well as its engineering genius!
Thanks John, that really means a lot ☺️
Extremely enjoyable video my friend... Thank you...
Thanks Peter :)
Love your presentation,
Very informative and very well presented. Well done and thank you 🙏
Thanks Derek :)
Fantastic presentation. Fantastic car. Love the Morris minor bonnet shape.
Thanks mate ☺️
I have a 1950's 4-door Morris Minor 1000. Need to get it fixed up.
Great channel, lad!👍
A lovely review of a week loved car. I truly enjoyed learning is history and seeing the booklet of its life was a very neat addition. Wonderful video.
Thanks Joe, that means a lot :)
A truly wonderful car, really something to cherish and as always, beautifully presented.
Thanks as always mate :)
Thank you. Another excellent video. Your presentation skills are excellent and really professional. You should be on the TV. Your knowledge is extensive too. The colour though is Sage green, Almond came later and is darker.
Thank you. The Morris Minor was also, somehow, great fun to drive; at least in the mid-to-late seventies. Driving one somehow brought a smile to my face!
I love the brick. We raced across the US in a friend's Studebaker Avanti for a bucket-list swap meet in Indiana, and accidentally "found" a couple of bricks from one of the Studebaker factories that were being torn down. Still one of my favorite impromptu road trips.
Hi Ed, again a very informative video, well presented, good quality audio. The good old Morris Minor, once in a while I see a white Traveler in our area, but these are also quite rare now. Compliments and best wishes to you from the Netherlands!
Thanks mate :) Stay safe!
Very good. I don’t know why anyone would give a thumbs down. Shame
Maybe they did not like this particular shade of green??? Personally I think it is lovely. Thumbs UP from me. :-)
Twin Cam got a thumbs up from me while I was waiting for the commercials to end.
Some folk always give thumbs down. It is a self-esteem issue.
I think some people are simply rotten; thumbs down on a Pete C live chat video AND it didn't even start! This young man gives out such useful information, especially to someone here in the US 🇺🇸 that finds British vehicles compelling.
It's usually the racists/homophobes that dislike because they don't like hearing jokes like the ones I made here. I've already had four comments about it. Invariably, the ones with pictures in their profile were all old white men.
What a truly lovely example! The history log book is an amazing keepsake. I always preferred the 4 door version. As you opened the back door I could imagine the aroma of old Morris - like an old church!! Maybe one of these will join the Twin Cam fleet one day?
As a child, my father had a '59 when we lived in Florida. It was a clever little car that could have done well with better support from contemporary BMC agents in the United States. The North American market cars had winkers from Series II on, and the lowlight MM was sold. A concern was that the largest 1098cc engine (which didn't arrive until 1962, if I remember correctly) was not quite up to the job of crossing the continent on the prevailing high speed limits of 70 mph (113 km/h). Had BMC offered a 1275 or a 1500 B-series, the Volkswagen would have been destroyed. Apologies for rambling. Cheers from Costa Rica.
Yeah, the 1098 came in '62, replacing the 948 in the original '56 Minor 1000. I think the Beetle would have always outsold the Minor regardless of engines purely due to how brilliant VW was at marketing and dealer support.
Really enjoyed this, thank you 👍
Thanks Andrew ☺️
Hello from Alabama. I absolutely love your work. Great review of the Minor.
Thanks mate, that's very kind :)
A really wonderful video mate, very enjoyable indeed. Back in Yorkshire in the 60's we would call this a Moggy Thou :-) We have the exact same Optima picnic hamper, I wish we had the car to go with it :-) Keep up the good work mate.
There’s a lovely daily-driver down the road from my pub! Youngish driver and he’s always out and about in it, lovely cars. Great video Ed!
Whoever that is sounds like a legend! Thanks again Coby :)
Your videos in terms of quality are getting better and better. Keep it up 👌👌
Thanks so much Joao :)
Anybody working on their Minor should bear in mind you need two sets of spanners, the chassis and suspension parts (Morris) used BSF nuts and bolts while the engine and transmission (Austin) used UNF nuts and bolts which required imperial A/F (Across Flats) spanners.
Another great video Ed, as you said in your exit, a cuddly friend. I’ve had over 60 cars in my motoring history and we never ‘named’ any of them apart from our Moggy 1000 who became Horace the Morris 🤗 Best wishes David
Thanks again mate :)
It certainly is so. And there's still a myriad of them around today. Would love the drophead version of it.
Excellent in every respect... Thank you!
Thanks Anthony ☺️
I just wish Britain would step back up with today’s car industry
A lot of cars and components are made in the UK. Unfortunately most of it was sold off to foreign investors. "Our automotive industry turned over more than £71 billion in 2015 and employs more than 800,000 people including 169,000 directly in manufacturing." "UK car manufacturing output in November 2016 was higher than at any time since 1999." Source : www.theaa.com/car-buying/cars-made-in-britain (2017)
All the British car manufacturers effectively don’t exist anymore. E.g. JLR are owned me tata, an Indian company. Vauxhall is owned by Opel (German company owned my GMC so technically American) MG is owned by SAIC who are Chinese and others such as British leyland don’t even exist anymore
@@75maxdv35 True, but at least there is a lot of local content and jobs. Vauxhall is now part of PSA, (GM has quit Europe and all RHD countries) who, if all goes to plan, will merge with FCA next year into STELLANTIS and their joint head office will be neutrally based in The Netherlands. Most manufacturers have gone global now in order to survive. It's not just something that happened in the UK.
@@bri77uk1 the thing is Britain just isn’t proud of its cars anymore. If you go to Germany, you’ll see audis and VWs everywhere, in Italy you see tonnes of fiats. From my window, I can see about 4 VWs, a couple of Hondas, Volvos and a few French cars. There’s only about 1 or 2 cars on my road in which the manufacturer originates in the UK
@@75maxdv35 the seeds were sown in the 70s and 80s. The shortsighted management, lack of development funds, below-par products and union troubles (among many other things) led to people buying more reliable, higher quality cars from elsewhere.
Excellent video! This is a very British icon, with styling from the thirties and forties. The dash must have carried over to the Mini, I see that resemblance there. They are iconic because they bring back such joyful memories of says gone by. Well done!
Thanks again :) The dash is related to the Mini's, that's why its so very Issigonis!
@@TwinCam I saw that as soon as you went to the interior. Simply amazing!
Great review! We don't have many here in the US, but when they turn up they're quiet the eye catcher.
I think most British vehicles that are classics are extremely rare here in the US, especially Morris, Austin, Rover and MG.
Thanks mate :)
Absolutely fantastic video. I'm not a fan of Minors but this video certainly softened my outlook. Top-notch stuff
Aww thanks mate, that’s very kind ☺️
the curvature of the roof probably added greatly to the structural rigidity. Back in 1969, I came a cropper in a 6 month old Minor 1000. Rolled it over and over a farm fence landing right way up and balancing precariously seesawing on an embankment. The caravaners in a nearby layby were at the car telling me to lean forward. When I got out of the car, I was pretty much in one piece although my right hand looked like something from a horror movie. If you are going to have an accident, it's good to have some friendly caravaners close to hand. I enjoyed a cup of tea while waiting for the ambulance. At the hospital, my hand was cleaned up, and. aside from spray on dressing, one stitch was all I needed. No airbags or seatbelts - God was on my side. Thanks for the post.
Excellent Morrie review, Ed! Subscribed. Your videos are well researched and brilliantly presented. I particularly enjoy your crystal-clear, well-paced diction; far too many YT videos I have to watch at 3/4 speed to understand the incessant, breathless gabble (some US presenters I need to watch at *half* speed!). Keep up the great work. May you go far in motoring journalism! I've owned a few Morries: a 1952 low-light 2-door sedan; a '56 4-door; a '57 van (with an 1100 motor fitted); and a '57 ragtop. I was extremely pissed off when I saw the ragtop dropped over a cliff in a police chase in a TV cops 'n' robbers series. I hadn't known when I sold it that its fate was to be so dire, else I'd not have parted with it (at least to that buyer, a major producer of TV series here in AU).
Thank you mate, that's very kind :)
Yes indeed, your presentation is quite pleasant to watch. Lots of information and detail. Respectful of the subject and viewer. No silly jokes, prejudice, sarcastic comments or catch phrases and slang, not trying to sound like an advertisement or tv presenter. Very refreshing.
Great review, Ed. Such a deceptively great car. Memories with both these and A40 Farina, oddly, preferred the Minor overall !
Thanks mate :) The Minor was always very good, but became rather twee as it aged.
In the week since I enjoyed your Morrie video I've watched about a dozen other YT vids on the Minor - and none of them was as good as this one of yours. Go, Ed!
Aww thank you mate, that's very kind :)
Great video, Ed. Well done indeed. Video and sound quality are terrific. Always did love the Minor. A neighbour had a grey one. Must have been from the late 50s, in guessing, as it was decidedly not new when I was about 4, when I started noticing cars. Back then, a 6 or 7 year old car was elderly. The one I knew was particularly good at resisting rust. It outlasted Ma's 58 Vauxhall Velox, and another neighbour's 59 Vauxhall Victor Super. Would love to drive one eventually.
Thanks again Michael :)
Your vids are hellishly professional Ed :-)
Aww thank you mate, that's very kind :)
Good video, I like the semaphore indicators, Lovejoy had a convertible Minor in the tv series. The Post Office had thousands of Minor vans in their fleet for telephone engineers, when the Minor was discontinued they bought Vauxhall Viva HA vans, an old design even then. I noticed too, the presenter is wearing new glasses.
Thanks John :) and yes, I do have new glasses!
Great video, i love this british icon !
Thanks Robert :)
Great video. Very nostalgic. It would have been interesting to go into the boot which is also quite practical. (Of course, for me it's nostalgia from the mid-seventies to early-eighties which is when my Mum owned a 1962 Minor followed by a 1968 Morris Traveller. We couldn't afford new cars back then!)
Thanks Richard :) I was going to go into the boot, but I forgot to record it hahaha
That was a very well presented and very polished video. I could see you having a very bright future in motor journalism, if that is what you want to do.
Thanks again Richard :)
@@TwinCam you are very welcome. Your presenting abilities have grown and grown a lot.
Great vid, well presented.
Thanks mate :)
love morris minors great video again mate those trafficators are cool 😁 youve made my sunday yet again!🤣 there is a morris minor on my road that is out in all types of weather and is in ok condition.
My 1000 is still dear to my heart. Talk about internal space, i had my holiday suitcases, i decided to give a lift to two hitchhikers that turned out to be three and all their rucksacks, ah the good old days. Great fuel economy, liked the engine bay starter pin. The sticking petrol pump points was common and easily fixed. The starting handle made life easier when setting the timing. I would love to have one today especially the traveler. Yet i look inside one now and wonder how did i ever fit in it. Lol. Keep up the good work, love your presentations. 👍
Thanks Martin ☺️
That's a lovely example you've found there I've got a 66 two door saloon sadly not as good as that one (yet) brilliant as ever mate 👍👌👏👏
Thanks Darren :)
Lovely cars, and economical to boot, adore driving mine and my daughter loves being driven in them
We had several of these and I loved the way we could lean on the bonnet without denting like new cars I touched the wing on my Skoda recently and I thought it would cave in
Very well done review Keep up the good work
Thanks mate :)
On the late 50’s my father had a 2 door. 1 st gear had a chipped tooth so when he drove it it would go click click click then he’d shift into 2nd. We lived in the country and our neighbors thought it was such a funny little car.
My FIRST car at 19 years. Two door, split screen, 803 cc Overhead and semaphore indicators but no heater. Sadly had to let go when posted overseas. Loved that car (as did the rest of the Signals Wing)....Camp taxi.
I enjoyed this video as much as I enjoyed the hours and miles I spent at the wheel of my Minor 1000
Fantastic video Ed you did Morris Minors proud I own a 2 door 1958 Minor 1000, I used to own a 1965 2 door Minor 1000 but she was so rusty I had to sell her as I couldn’t restore her however I got the 1958 car as a replacement only recently, I bought that one off a friend of my Dad.
Thanks Brad :)
My first car was a Moggy 1000 1957 which was 6 years old with 85 thousand miles on the clock. Still managed to long distances in it with a noisy timing chain. A can of oil, some water and a few basic tools and I could go anywhwere ! It even got me a wife which I have still got 55 years later !