Vintage Minor Register
Technical Details
| Production Seasons | Chassis/Engine Changes | Body Production | Engine |
| Brake Cables | Sundry Data | Bibliography |
| Season | Chassis Numbers |
| 1929 | MM101- M12738 |
| 1930 | M12739 M27097 |
| 1931 | M27098 M34699 |
| Chassis/Engine | Change |
| MM101 | September 1928, production commences. Tourer and fabric saloon |
| MM351 | Roller bearing introduced on differential bevel pinion |
| MM1101 | Improved carburetter fitted |
| MM1110 | Less deeply dished steering wheel |
| MM1162 | Stronger front dumbirons with longer pins to suit |
| M1348 | Footbrake pedal stop bracket increased in length by one inch to allow additional pedal travel |
| M3099 | Improved track rod ends (hexagon base) |
| M3102 | Improved handbrake ratchet |
| M9249 | Improved front brake cable pulleys (now shackled) cam levers, altered Kingpin and cable to suit. Pulley still fitted under kingpin |
| U10126 | Hyatt roller bearing introduced for fan. Improved oil pump driven gear |
| March 1929 | M Type MG production commences |
| M12199 | Modified petrol pipe assy. |
| U12326 | Improved rear main bearing |
| M12557 | Improved bonnet catch (chrome plated) |
| M12739 | September 1929, coachbuilt saloon and 5 cwt. Van introduced. Triplex windscreens fitted as standard |
| M14192 | Smiths shock absorbers replaced by Armstrong type |
| M14456 | Chrome plated brass replaces solid nickel radiator. Double radiator stays introduced. Bonnet platforms redesigned. MORRIS radiator script deleted |
| M15136 | Dynamo DEL 24 replaced by DDS5. (early dynamos DEL 7 and DEL 19 were superseded by DEL 24). New concave cylinder block and nosepiece to suit |
| M15294 | Revised mixture control geometry |
| M17883 | New steering arm drag link end at steering box - adjustable with cap and lock screw |
| M27023 | Semi-sports 2-seater and fire tender introduced |
| M27098 | September 1930, Morris pattern running board rubbers replace pyramid pattern, except on vans. Self-aligning door hinges introduced. Window clamp lock replaces cam and lever on saloons. Tourer hood and sidescreens redesigned |
| M29071 | Stronger wheels introduced. Wording changed on hubcaps from MORRIS MINOR to MORRIS |
| M29528 | Transmission handbrake replaced by cross-shaft operated wheel brakes. Front brake cables re-routed to brake lever forward of wheel hub with shackled pulley on top of kingpin. More angled brake cam levers introduced. Wider rimmed brake drums/backplates fitted |
| U30136 | Stronger connecting rods fitted (stronger little end, gudgeon pin, clamp bolt and improved tab washer) |
| M34699 | Short wheelbase Minor production ends. Long wheelbase family Eight saloon and Eight Special Coupe production commences with numerous specification changes |
(In addition to the above changes, a number of
unannounced changes were introduced by Morris to the Minor specification,
including the widening of the wing sideskirts,
the flattening of the clutch driven plate and the modification to the steering
box mount)
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| Season | Body | Colours and
Upholstery |
Price |
| 1929 | Four-seater tourer | Blue or brown cellulose with matching Rexine. Black hood | £ 125
£ 127 (w/Triplex) |
| Fabric saloon | Blue or brown fabric with matching Rexine | £ 135
£ 141/10/- (w/Triplex) |
|
| Chassis | Black enameled wings | £ 100 | |
| 1930 | Four-seater tourer | Blue cellulose with blue Karhyde. Black hood | £ 130 |
| Fabric saloon | Blue fabric with blue Karhyde | £ 140 | |
| Coachbuilt saloon | Dark brown over brown two-tone cellulose with matching Karhyde | £ 149 | |
| 5-cwt. van | Shop grey | £ 135 | |
| Chassis | Black enameled wings | £ 105 | |
| 1931 | Four-seater tourer | Blue cellulose with blue Karhyde. Black hood | £ 130 |
| Fabric saloon | Blue fabric with blue Karhyde Black fabric with red Karhyde | £ 135 | |
| Coachbuilt saloon | Dark maroon cellulose with brown Karhyde.
Blue cellulose with brown Karhyde |
£ 140 | |
| 5-cwt. van | Shop grey | £ 125 | |
| Semi-sports | Black fabric with maroon fabric tail and door caps and maroon Karhyde Drab hood | £ 125 | |
| Fire tender | Vermilion, lined with black and gold | £ 170 | |
| Chassis | Black enameled wings | £ 100 |
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| Bore: | 57 mm (2.2435) |
| Stroke: | 83 mm (3.268) |
| Bore/stroke ratio: | 1.456:1 |
| Capacity: | 847.1 cc (51.68 cu. in.) |
| RAC Rating | 8.056 hp |
| Bearing sizes: | |
| Connecting rod: | 1 ½ x 1 1/8 long |
| Crankshaft rear: | 1¾ x 1 3/16 |
| Crankshaft front: | 1 3/8 x 13/16 |
| Connecting rod centres: | 165 mm (6½) |
| Compression ratio: | 4.75:1 |
| Valve head diameter: | 1 |
| Valve seat angle: | 30° |
| Valve lift: | 9/32 |
| Valve springs free length: | 1 ¾ |
| Valve springs free coils: | 7 ½ |
| Valve spring rate: | 71 lb. per in. |
| Valve stem diameter: | 9/32 |
| Valve timing: | |
| Inlet opens: | 9° ATDC |
| Inlet closes: | 35° ABDC |
| Exhaust opens: | 43° BBDC |
| Exhaust closes: | 7° ATDC |
| Cam follower clearances: | Inlet and exhaust - 0.004 when hot |
| Firing order: | 1,3,4,2 |
| Piston working clearance: | 0.003 |
| Ignition timing: | With hand control fully retarded, points just opening at TDC |
| Brake Horsepower: | |
| At 1,000 rpm: | 5.75 bhp |
| At 1,500 rpm: | 9.00 bhp |
| At 2,000 rpm: | 12.00 bhp |
| At 2,500 rpm: | 15.00 bhp |
| At 3,000 rpm: | 17.50 bhp |
| At 4,000rpm: | 20.00 bhp |
| Dynamo: | Driven at engine speed |
| Sump capacity: | 4 pints 3 fl. oz. |
| Oil pressure (35 mph, hot) | 45 50 psi |
| Starter ratio: | 8.3:1 |
| Sparking plugs: | AC Sphinx B-II short reach, set to 20 25 thou |
| Fuel tank capacity: | 5 gallons |
| Fuel consumption: | 45 49 mpg |
| Radiator capacity: | 10¾ pints |
| Capacity of block: | 7¼ pints |
| Total cooling system capacity: | 2 gals. 5 pts. |
| Engine weight (With clutch, less gearbox): | 209 lb. |
Cylinder bores are graded by 0.0005, Z being greatest, Y normal, and X small.
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| Gearbox ratios: | |
| First: | 3.5:1 |
| Second: | 1.833:1 |
| Top: | 1:1 |
| Reverse: | 2.833:1 |
| Rear axle ratio: | 4.88:1 (9/44) |
| Crown wheel/bevel clearance: | 0.005 0.006 |
| Engine/rear axle ratios: | |
| First: | 17.11:1 |
| Second: | 8.96:1 |
| Top: | 4.88:1 |
| Reverse: | 13.85:1 |
| Gearbox oil capacity: | 1 pint |
| Speedometer gear ratio: | 4:17 |
| Clutch toggle clearance: | 3/32
0.010to 0.020 at pressure pins |
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| Track: | 3 6 |
| Wheelbase: | 6 6 |
| Steering gear ratio: | 7.7:1 |
| Toe-in: | 1/8" |
| Castor angle: | 3° |
| Turning circle: | 34 6 |
| Wheels: | 19 x 2.15 |
| Tyres: | 4.00 x 19 |
| Tyre pressure front: | 22 psi |
| Tyre pressure rear: | 26psi |
| Tyre pressure rear - Semi-sports: | 24 psi |
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| Voltage: | 6V |
| Instrument panel/switchgear: | Lucas |
| Dynamo: | Lucas DEL7, DEL19, DEL 24, DDS5 |
| Distributor: | Lucas D4A, DS4, D41 |
| Contact breaker gap: | 0.012 0.015 |
| Starter motor: | Lucas RM35, 25SM, M35AO |
| Cut-out: | Lucas CF1 |
| Coil: | Lucas P 24 |
| Horn: | Lucas Sparton |
| Battery: | 6V |
| Headlamps: | Lucas R47B |
| Headlamp bulbs: | B.A.S no.1S, 6V, 12W |
| Sidelamps: | Lucas no.1120 |
| Sidelamp bulbs: | B.A.A no. 8S, 6V, 3W |
| Tail lamp: | Lucas TF 201 |
| Tail lamp bulb: | B.A.A no. 8S, 6V, 3W |
| Festoon dashlamp: | Lucas DF5 |
| Festoon dashlamp bulb: | B.A.S no. 8, 6V 3W |
| Ignition warning lamp: | Screw type 8-9V 3W |
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| Front hubs inner: | LJ 25 |
| Front hubs outer: | MJ 20 |
| Rear hubs: | LJ 40 |
| Dynamo-commutator end: | LJ ½ |
| Dynamo drive end: | LJ ¾ |
| Clutch spigot: | LJ 5/8 |
| Clutch withdrawal: | LJT 1½ |
| Constant mesh pinion: | LJ 35 |
| Mainshaft: | MJ 7/8 |
| Bevel pinion: | MJ 25 |
| Differential: | LJT 35 |
| Bevel pinion roller: | MRJ 25 |
| Front main bearing | MJ 1 3/8 |
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| Front to chassis M9248: | 47½ |
| Front from chassis M9249 to M29527: | 46½ |
| Front from chassis M29528: | 42½ |
| Rear: - All | 48 |
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| Speedometer cable length: | 3 10½ |
| Wheel spokes: | |
| Inner: | 8g,. 6 15/32 |
| Outer, to M 29070: | 8g., 8 7/32 |
| Outer, from M 29071: | 8g., 8 1/8" |
| Battery to starter button cable: | 3 4 |
| Starter button to starter cable: | 19 |
| Battery to earth cable: | 1 3½ |
| Battery to instrument panel cable: | 7 1 |
| Starter ring gear: | 83 teeth |
| Starter pinion gear: | 10 teeth |
| Starter ratio: | 8.3:1 |
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| Date | Publication | Page | Subject |
| 08/06/28 | The Autocar | 1165 | 1929 Minor |
| 07/28 | The Morris Owner | 570 | Introducing the Minor |
| 31/08/28 | The Autocar | 442-5 | Advance Details of 1929 Cars |
| 07/09/28 | The Light Car & Cycle Car | 404-7 | 1929 Minor |
| 09/28 | The Morris Owner | 840-2 | Minor saloon & Tourer Details |
| 05/10/28 | The Light Car & Cycle Car | 5?0 | 1929 Minor |
| 12/10/28 | The Light Car & Cycle Car | 578 | 1929 Minor (Motor Show) |
| 30/11/28 | The Autocar | 1221-3 | Minor saloon Road Test |
| 04/01/29 | The Light Car & Cycle Car | 142-5 | 1929 Minor, Road Test & Description |
| 08/29 | The Morris Owner | 726-30 | Decarbonising the Minor |
| 13/09/29 | The Light Car & Cycle Car | 450 | Tuning & Modification |
| 18/10/29 | The Light Car & Cycle Car | 596 | Gordon England Types |
| 06/12/29 | The Light Car & Cycle Car | 34 | Jarvis Coupé |
| 06/12/29 | The Light Car & Cycle Car | 38 | Gordon England 2-Seater, Road Test |
| 13/12/29 | The Light Car & Cycle Car | 62-3 | Arrow 2-Seater |
| 20/12/29 | The Light Car & Cycle Car | 95 | Arrow 2-Seater, Road Test |
| 03/01/30 | The Light Car & Cycle Car | 158 | Gordon England Saloon |
| 31/01/30 | The Light Car & Cycle Car | 262 | CMS Sports 2-Seater |
| 28/02/30 | The Light Car & Cycle Car | 365 | Arrow 2-Seater |
| 07/03/30 | The Light Car & Cycle Car | 405 | Arrow 2-Seater |
| 21/03/30 | The Light Car & Cycle Car | 464 | Arrow Sports Model |
| 21/03/30 | The Light Car & Cycle Car | 468-70 | Minor Tuning & Maintenance |
| 28/03/30 | The Light Car & Cycle Car | 493-5 | Minor Tuning & Maintenance |
| 04/04/30 | The Autocar | 651-3 | Morris Minor, Detailed Information |
| 11/04/30 | The Light Car & Cycle Car | 562-4 | Tuning & Maintenance |
| 11/04/30 | The Autocar | 689-91 | Care & Maintenance |
| 18/04/30 | The Light Car & Cycle Car | 590-2 | Care & Maintenance |
| 18/04/30 | The Autocar | 761-3 | Care & Maintenance |
| 25/04/30 | The Autocar | 819-20 | Care & Maintenance |
| 29/04/30 | The Motor | 608 | Sunrayn Drop-Head Coupé |
| 09/05/30 | The Autocar | 882-9 | Special Coachwork |
| 30/05/30 | The Autocar | 1079 | CMS Sports 2-Seater |
| 08/08/30 | The Autocar | 33 | Semi-Sports 2-Seater advertisement |
| 08/08/30 | The Light Car & Cycle Car | 314 | Semi-Sports 2-Seater |
| 12/08/30 | The Motor | 52 | Semi-Sports 2-Seater, Description |
| 19/08/30 | The Motor | 93 | Semi-Sports 2-Seater |
| 05/09/30 | The Light Car & Cycle Car | 433 | 1931 Minor |
| 10/10/30 | The Light Car & Cycle Car | 610 | 1931 Minor |
| 17/10/30 | The Light Car & Cycle Car | 639 | 1931 Minor (Motor Show) |
| 31/01/30 | The Autocar | 925-6 | Semi-Sports 2-Seater, Road Test |
| 07/11/30 | The Light Car & Cycle Car | 749 | Arrow Spear |
| 14/11/30 | The Light Car & Cycle Car | 780 | Semi-Sports 2-Seater, Road Test |
| 10/02/31 | The Motor | 43-5 | Special Coachwork |
| 21/08/31 | The Autocar | 316 | Merlyn Drop-Head Coupé |
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