Chassis No. M/AW5 D 1079641

Engine No. 10MA-U-H 107811

Those who see a Morris Minor today are liable to focus on its adorably diminutive size or iconic styling. At the time of the model's introduction in 1948, it was actually quite groundbreaking, with designer Alec Issigonis fitting features such as rack-and-pinion steering and torsion bar independent front suspension that were unheard-of on a small, affordable 'family car' of its time. Morris built Minors for over two decades, offering saloon, convertible tourer, and wood-trimmed estate models. The latter was dubbed the Traveller, a style that would subsequently be copied for the Minor's even tinier sibling, the Mini.

The Minor 1000 Traveller offered here is a right-hand-drive model with the more powerful overhead-valve four-cylinder engine. It was acquired by Mr. Taylor's friend Steve Ritterbush when Mr. Ritterbush was working in Singapore, following the Vietnam War. The wood in the body did not withstand the Southeast Asia climate, and was replaced with hardier and beautiful mahogany, after which Mrs. Ritterbush used the car as her daily driver. Eventually her husband shipped it to the U.S., and it was purchased by Mr. Taylor.

The restoration has worn well, with the paint, changed from turquoise to Old English White, still shiny and attractive on rust-free bodywork; the cream vinyl interior shows slight age. Firestone radial tires are mounted, and, with its stock engine running on a single SU carburetor, the car would be an ideal ice cream getter or parts-runner for a new owner, adding to the 51,549 miles recorded at the time of cataloging. Even better, it benefits a highly worthy cause; Mr. Taylor is offering this lot to benefit a favorite charity of Mr. Ritterbush, Chesapeake Bay Accessible Boating (CRAB), a nonprofit organization which provides sailing experiences and instruction to anyone with a disability, recovering warriors, and youth from underserved communities.

This is a thoroughly appealing little automobile, surely to win hearts wherever it ventures.