More by coincidence than by planning, we’re having a British car kind of day here at CC. Starting with our earlier post on the Morgan 4/4, and now with this ’56 Morris Minor that appropriately came out to the open on a rainy day. How fitting.
Some may recall this Morris from a few months ago when I conveniently found it parked next to a ’47 Cadillac Fleetwood. Now, that previous encounter wasn’t entirely by accident. I had known about both cars for a while and hunted them down as I had an idea of their whereabouts.
This time, however, the Morris appeared near my home in San Salvador on its own. Actually, parked across our favorite neighborhood pupusería (a popular Salvadorian dish). So location-wise, not very British on the Morris’ part.
On the other hand, it was a very wet and rainy day. So timing-wise, well done little Morris.
Last time, when I found this Morris next to the Cadillac I talked about the similarities of its 3-box design against the Standard of the World by its side. A mostly unintended likeness I’m sure, but on that occasion, the point was to talk about how the ’38 Sixty-Special’s 3-box body had been such a trendsetter worldwide.
So that post dealt mostly with styling matters. As far as the Minor’s mechanicals and background, that has already been properly covered by Roger Carr here at CC.
Until recently the Morris has been used for wedding services and such. But I knew it was for sale that one time I shot it. So, has it found a new home? Is that why it is on the streets now?
I won’t deny that being from Puerto Rico and a ’70s kid, I’ve little connection with these vehicles. Personal connection that is, for I found them utterly charming since I learned of their existence via Brit shows and movies.
And then, there’s always that first in-person sight. That didn’t happen until ’94 in LA when a coworker invited me to a British car show where he was participating. The show was obviously packed with all the Morris Minors and Minis LA probably had back then, and all that tiny swoopy British metal just had me swooning from the moment I set foot on the event.
As for my coworker, he actually owned a light beige Minor. I was immediately jealous (and still am to this day).
Regarding this sample, I do know British cars were not rare in Central America in the ’40s and ’50s. As with most of the developing world, automotive goods from that nation just disappeared once the Japanese arrived. I know that in retrospect, a regrettable turn of events for the Brit makers. But seen from the point of view of Central America, these were low-priority markets for them, as they were busier attending their colonies. Meanwhile, the Japanese treated us like their life depended on it.
Still, while British cars arrived in El Salvador, I’ve no idea if this Morris dates from back in the day or if it’s a recent addition. I know about upper-class folks who bring Minis and such nowadays, so that could be the case with this Minor.
However, if I go by Salvadorian license plate, the low ‘10240’ number would indeed suggest this was an early car in this nation. Our license plates were sequential until recently. Annoyingly, they’re often times repurposed and the low figure could be misleading.
Now, if I recall correctly, Issigonis was properly miffed when BMC Americanized the Minor’s face for the Series II. Which figures, and is quite a normal reaction for a creator.
It’s true that the Minor’s original modern intent was lost with the US-inspired face and added chrome. Still, each piece is just lovely-looking, and all are endearing bits of craftsmanship. The kind of stuff one misses in modern machinery.
Looking at old cars is always a treat, particularly when there’s such distance between now and then. Some of the bits in these old ones are delightful, even if they look a bit delicate. And that’s the cutest and tiniest gas cap I’ve ever seen.
Talking about gone days, here are the lovely semaphore signals. Do Salvadorian drivers even know what these are for?
Of my finds, this is probably the best interior image I’ve ever got (not that that’s saying much…) And how do we like that granny-cushion?
Talking about old stuff, I coincidentally found this Minor next to some kind of Antique shop or warehouse (The ‘Antiguedades’ sign). I do wonder if the Minor’s driver owns that business? Is it someone who deals in antiques?
Be that the case or not, I do hope its current owner is aware he’s got something ancient and precious with this one. After all, antiques such as these deserve to be rightly cared for and protected. Still, I won’t deny it was a treat to see it in the open, outside of its protective cage.
Related CC reading:
Curbside Classic: 1955 Morris Minor Series II – Britain’s Favorite Car, Bar None, And Rightly So.
Looks to be in pretty good shape .
The taillight plinths are mounted far too low making me wonder if there’s wonky body works under that lovely black paint .
-Nate
Well spotted. Roger’s posting on the Minor shows the taillights roughly level with the gas cap.
They look correct to me. Over the years their shape and placement varied. This one could be from around ’59.
Correction: it’s an earlier version, 1956’ish
Dutch license plate (issued in 1992) in front and a German plate (Bad Dürkheim) on the trunk lid..?
The last time you compared it very well with the ’47 Cadillac. Now here’s your chance to do a deep styling analysis with that Nissan Versa! 🙂
If it’s a ’56 then it’s one of the last split-screen 803cc Minors. The 948cc ” Morris 1000″ appeared in late ’56, with single piece screen and bigger back window. I always thought the face-lift grill was much nicer than the Issigonis original.
Totally agree. In fact I’m pretty sure all or most US market Minors, at least the ones still around when I became car-aware in the very early1960’s, had the newer grill, so when I first saw the original in a book or magazine photo, it looked all wrong. A sad expression on an otherwise perky looking car. And it hasn’t grown on me since.
My uncle had a convertible of this generation in the early ’60s in Sandy Beige with deep red upholstery and a slightly faded pinstripe along the side/bonnet trim. Here it is in snow in the Winter of 1962/’63.
Nice find in an unexpected place
If I didn’t have a Rover p4 as my hobby car, I would give a Morris Minor serious consideration as a daily driver for local use now that I do not make long trips on our motorways. (UK)
It doesn’t take much to make them dead reliable,(electronic ignition), they give 40 miles plus to the imperial gallon, do not have to pay road tax or for an MOT and are exempt from Low emission zone charges that are sprouting up in major cities, cheap and simple maintenance, so there are real cost savings making them a practical choice.
There are still loads of them about and are lovely to drive with great character, the A series engine is very tune able and fun to work on.
I can live without the extra crap on new vehicles, seriously I can close a rear hatch on and SUV on my own, who needs a motor to do that unless you are disabled
A cousin had one of these passed down to her for her first car. Same black, also a Series II, but I seem to recall a beige interior. Hers had a green pinstripe. And yes, those taillights are suspiciously low; pretty sure the rear face of those lenses should be vertical.
Those doors look tiny – how did we ever fit? 🙂
Always a pleasure to see an early Morris Minor. I don’t think I was aware of the jewel-like hood ornament before. The way the ‘M’ fits into the circle is a new detail for me.
Nice find! The yellow license-plate, looks to be a Dutch one from 1992; and the upper one on the rear a German one. So, I’m puzzled.
I can see why it’s strange to anyone not from Central America. The owner probably never found British ones and just stuck those because… well makes it look more “European”.
Until recently, I know the car was rented out for wedding events and such things, so I think there’s a bit of gimmicky showmanship for novelty’s sake. The good thing is not much else seems amiss besides those minor details.
Yes, it really looks tidy. I’ve asked the Dutch Morris Minor Club if this car was ever in their Archive.
Many classics were imported in the Netherlands in the past. It’s left hand drive, so it is possible this one originally came from Bad Dürkheim (BüW = DÜrkheim an der Weinstraße), Germany.
And then, maybe, later it’s found it’s way to Holland and then San Salvador (but how & why??).
If I get an answer, I’ll post the update on this cute ‘Mystery Minor’.
A 2 door Minor was my introduction to English cars. It was mid 60s in Toronto and my best friend’s mother bought one. It was a much later model than this one, but still so similar. I was particularly intrigued by the separate switch for the starter. Some other idiosyncrasies were that you could only turn the heat on by opening a valve under the “bonnet”, and there was only one exterior door lock, and it was on the passenger side. I always enjoyed riding in it, although I never had the opportunity to drive it. A few years later there were 3 owned by students in my high school. There were all a bit rough, but they ran. There was one saloon and travellers.
Growing up in Nigeria, ALL the taxis in Lagos and Ibadan, early 60’s, were black Morris Minors just like this. Thank you for sparking my ancient memories!