The Mini is rightly regarded as one of the most significant cars of all time and rightly so, but its success has overshadowed a model from the same manufacturer that preceded it and was just as innovative in its own way – the Morris Minor.
When it debuted in 1948, the Minor was a significant leap forward and one of the most advanced cars of its era, while still being affordable for the motorist of average means. Designed by Alec Issigonis, who would later engineer the Mini, the Morris featured monocoque construction, torsion bar front suspension and rack-and-pinion steering; all of which were relatively rare in 1948.
Had Issigonis got his way, the Minor would have been even more innovative, with a flat four engine and fully independent suspension built into the original design. The bean counters at Morris put a stop to that, though, so the Minor came to market with a sidevalve inline four carried over from the prewar Morris 8 and a leaf spring rear. Regardless, the Minor provided reasonable performance and exceptional handling compared
