At car shows across the nation, perhaps no other body style elicits interest and admiration like a 1950s "Woody" wagon. Once cheap transportation for surfers and bohemians, Woodies today are beloved as mechanical incarnations of Kerouac's "On the Road" spirit of personal freedom.
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Naturally, wood is sensitive to decay and wood restoration can be exorbitantly time consuming and expensive, so finding a perfectly preserved or restored wood wagon is a rare event.
Here's one of those gems!
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One of the most iconic post-war automobiles, the Morris Minor has often been called the British Volkswagen. Designed by a genius, Alec Issigonis -- also the father of the first-generation Mini -- the Minor could be viewed as the original "smart" car.
Lovingly called "Moggie" in its homeland, the Minor was manufactured, pretty much unchanged, from the late 1940s until the early 1970s. Aside from sedan and convertible versions, there was a pickup and, perhaps the most desirable Minor of them all, a "Woodie" station wagon called Traveller.
The 1965 Morris Minor 1000 Traveller Series V presented here, VIN *M/AW5-DL-1095893* must be one of the most attractive examples of its kind in existence. A three-owner Woodie that was always lovingly maintained and refurbished as needed, it presents itself today in such exceptionally nice condition, it only needs a driver to be ready for any car show.
Better yet, this particular Woodie comes with such a fantastic provenance, that its story needs to be told in greater detail.
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Here's a brief summary of the car's pedigree as displayed above:
Purchased new as an U.S.-specification model in Merry Olde England by Ms. Sylvia Pearl Stern, an expatriate librarian working for the U.S. Air Force, for the purpose of an extended tour through many European Countries, the car was subsequently shipped back to Texas, where it lived for the next 37 years, always loved by its original -- and slightly eccentric -- owner, used around town for errands and church visits, accumulating preciously few miles. After the first owner's passing in 2003, the Moggie found a new home in California, where it has lived ever since.
Apart from the neatly typed history and vintage photograph, the original and very valuable 1965 British license plate (still mounted to the front bumper), first English and Texan registrations, an original brochure, an owner's manual, lubrication chart and full shop manual are included.
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We love the Minor for its simple, accessible and straightforward layout, making maintenance very easy. By the way, parts avaialbility for the Minor is excellent, as it is one of the most popular collector cars on the planet. Engine bay is very clean and tidy.
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Motorvation comes from the same engine that propelled the famous Mini to countless rallying successes. By 1965, the Minor actually had acquired a slightly larger, more powerful version, displacing 1,098 cc (67 cu in), developing 48hp. It runs excellent and allows for adequate acceleration of the light (1,700lbs) wagon. With its observed top speed of 77mph, it hums along on the freeway just like a Beetle or original Mini Cooper.
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Being a quasi-unibody design which -- due to the lack of even the most basic rust protection -- was quite corrosion-prone, most of the 1,1 million Minors built have long ago been relegated to the big boneyard in the sky. Being a Southwestern U.S. Minor, this example has survived rather admirably, with a clean and dry undercarriage that shows no sign of any previous corrosion or rust repair. Click on the image to the left for an XXL-sized view |
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Photos above show the unmolested undercarriage in more detail. Brake system on this fine example has been uprated to front discs, which make the Woody a little safer for daily use in today's busy traffic.
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Smoke Gray exterior looks simply wonderful. It's the original, very period-appropriate factory color. The car displays just the most minimal wear from age and use; there are no dents, scratches, bubbles or rust spots. Wood trim remains in amazing, rot and termite free state of preservation. Brightwork sparkes in the sun. Ms. Stern's Woodie is ready to be taken to the next British car show, to be displayed proudly!
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Interior has plenty of space, even for long legged pilots and their crew. The Minor hails from a simpler, better time, where cars could be small on the outside -- the Traveller is just 12'6" long -- and big inside. Where have those good old days gone?
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Immaculate original headliner and sun visors.
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Turning our attention to the cockpit, we marvel at the perfectly simple dash layout. There are dual glove boxes, the passenger side one even featuring a door. Original black bakelite steering wheel is beautifully preserved; horn button features Morris-Oxford logo. Bip, bip, cheerio!
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Minimalist approach á la VW Beetle served the Minor well. Big cyclops combo gauge occupies the most prominent spot and supplies all the essential information needed. A few Jaguar XKE-style toggle switches for lights, choke, and starter, are arranged beneath it.
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Front bucket seats are ultra-comfy, even on long trips. Just like the remainder of the interior, they look almost like new and compliment the exterior's blue-gray color beautifully.
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Rear seats offer enough space for three adults, or you could fold down the seatback for additional storage capacity.
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Let's find out just how big the Wagon's rear compartment is!
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It's big enough to carry a plenty of suitcases, plus . . .
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. . . with the rear seat folded flat, it'll even hold Reverend Cyril Winnington Boggis' antique Chippendale commode. Another amazing engineering feat by the wily Brits.
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Apart from the original tire changing equipment, numerous spare parts as well as the aforementioned books will accompany the Traveller -- and, of course, the vintage surfboard strapped to the roof rack will be included, too.
This vintage British Woodie, all decked out with subtle pinstriping, period decals, and a surf board must be the coolest automobile on the road, bar none!
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Typical of British cars of the era, the spare rests in a separate compartment underneath the trunk floor. Check out the ancient bias-ply whitewall tire. Neat!
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Wednesday, May 1st, turned out to be another sunny spring day in Ye olde Mission Town of San Buenaventura.
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We hopped behind the wheel, pulled the choke and starter knobs, and the Traveller started instantly, idling and sounding great. Off we went, to visit our favorite haunts. The fully synchronized 4-speed shifts smoothly, brakes are fantastic, all gauges and switches work as they should, even the heater. Around town, the Minor is an absolute delight to drive. On the freeway, you swim along nicely. The car doesn't leak, smoke, or overheat. It's a real fuel-sipper, too, with an estimated 38mpg! The suspension -- torsion bars up front, longitudinal springs in the rear and lever action shocks all around -- is surprisingly capable.
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Chauffeuring the Traveller puts a permanent smile on your face. Foreshadowing the MINI, another one of Issigonis' genius designs, the Minor is the little car that could, especially when sensibly upgraded with disc brakes like this fine example.
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Returning home, we are reflecting on the incredible value the Traveller represents. Imagine using it as a versatile -- and very visible -- utility wagon for your urban business, enjoying it as a shooting brake at your country estate, or simply as the ultimate surf woodie!
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With restored full-size American Woodies going for $80-200,000.00 and beyond, you'll appreciate the absolute bargain this attractive and rare Morris represents. Here, you have a useable, practical, and economical Woodie that, while attracting every bit as much attention as its bigger brothers, can be had for a fraction of the cost of one of its Yank counterparts. Plus, it's one of the few original, left-hand-drive U.S. spec examples available, with a unique provenance to boot. It's the ultimate conversation starter, making everyone who sees it smile with excitement.
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"It's hard to walk when you have a Woodie!"
Asking $22,500.00
You are most welcome to inspect this fine automobile at our location in Ventura, by appointment, or have someone inspect it for you.
Please, direct all inquiries to bill@californiaclassix.com or call us at 805-653-5551.
Take me to Californiaclassix' Home or the Showroom.