MORRIS MAJOR ELITE

During the 1950s when BMC Australia wanted somewhere to send aspirational Morris Minor owners, it borrowed a design from Britain and introduced the Morris Major/Austin Lancer duo.

In 1959 when updating the design, BMC added a more substantial, finned body, then in 1962 an engine that would give the new Major Elite surprising firepower.

The Elite still used a derivative of BMC’s durable B Series engine, but in 1.6-litre form, as used by the larger Morris Oxford. It was also the same basic motor fitted to Mark 2 versions of the MGA.

Pricing the Elite at a very attractive £940 ($1880)