Are there any plans to redesign the Morris Minor?

[PSL184]

There are some original VW owners here. How do they feel about the new beetle?

New beetle is horrible, in my opinion, but I do like the look of the new 500.

[plastic_orange]

My son has just ordered a new Abarth 500 - you're right, it's the nicest of the current retro crop.

Pete

[Declan_Burns]

Agree with that-it's very nice indeed.

[dantournay]

This was posted on Pistonheads yesterday
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http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topi ... &mid=74443

[twincamman]

This was posted on Pistonheads yesterday
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http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topi ... &mid=74443

I actually like that, but for some reason it reminds me more of a DKW than a Minor.

[MarkyB]

Doesn't say Morris Minor to me and the "eyes" are just gross.
Probably the sort of thing that would happen though .

[LouiseM]

I do like the look of the new 500.

It's a great car to drive - almost as much fun as the Minor

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[MColes]

I must admit I like the 500. A bit more practical than the original as well I think

[Sidney'61]

Has anybody noticed how a new MINI coming towards you in the dark looks very much like a minor, the position and shape of the grille, headlights and sidelights is about right! (random I know!)
Although I'm not a fan of the new MINI (my sister has one though ) I think with a few adjustments it could quite easily be the basis for a new minor, I'll see what I can come up with on photoshop!

[PSL184]

I'll see what I can come up with on photoshop!

Might be easier to start off with a Minor and modernise it

[Mogwai]

Has anybody noticed how a new MINI coming towards you in the dark looks very much like a minor, the position and shape of the grille, headlights and sidelights is about right! (random I know!)

Ive noticed that, as very few cars have separate sidelights so they stand out a bit. I even waved at one once

[FrankM83]

well even an oldmini from a distance look like a Minor, oh and just a rumour I heard! SAIC might put one of the old names in production again since they lost the Rover name to use this name in european market and keep Roewe for chinese markets there's a good chance this being Morris due to the fact MG is Morris Garages but if funds won't allow they will do every car they produce under the name of MG which wil be a pity as MG are knowns for sports cars and sport saloon :S and still I doubt SAIC will ever consider redesign a Minor

[Jonah681]

Wasn't there some tests done a few years ago and the outcome was the Minor was on par aerodynamically with a modern saloon (even better in lowlight form)?
Why tinker too much with the shape? It's the engine/running gear that needs upgrading. The interior can easily be redesigned. Maybe drop the parcel shelf and add a centre console for radio/sat nav, etc and fit air con as standard.

[Dean]

SAIC might put one of the old names in production again since they lost the Rover name

Jaguar Land Rover have sole rights to use the Rover name, bought from Ford, from BMW in 2005 when Rover failed. The Rover name was only leased from BMW by MGRover. So in essence Rover and Land Rover are one company again, they just use Jaguar on the road going versions. I very much doubt we will ever see the Rover name used again as it clashes with everything Jaguar stand for. Unless TATA want to import their cheap cars and used it for our market.

[FrankM83]

yes there were discussion that TATA might start producing cars in the UK and brand them as Rover, not nic ein my opinion, Rover in my opinion is a brand for upper class cars like the 75, the SD1 P6 and P5

[Fingolfin]

Jonah681 said

Any skilled artists out there that could post a few suggestions/sketches for discussion?

I decided to take him up on his suggestion. The following looks a helluva lot like my Mog. X)

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You'll note immediately the increase in length (by 1.5 ft) and height (by 0.5 ft). The New Minor also sees an increase of 0.5 ft in width. As a result, there is more boot space and more legroom for those poor people in the back. Also, the ground clearance is increased from 6 inches to 9, and the tyres are 21" across and 9" wide, or 245/35-21 on the tire code.

Available models would be, at first, the 2- and 4-door saloons, the pickup, and the 2-door convertible. Eventually travellers, 4-door convertibles, and perhaps extended pickups and vans would be introduced. The prime retail price would be $17000/₤11000, but current original Minor owners, or former owners who could prove it, would receive a $1500/₤1000 discount.

The New Minor is obviously cosmetically similar to its older cousin, and structurally it remains close. It retains the monoqocue inner shell of the old Minor, and is all-steel, or an alloy with a strength equal to or stronger than steel. Crumple zones are introduced on the front and rear inner wings. Each of the four wings is simply bolt-on, along with the bonnet, boot door and passenger doors, but they are made of the same strong metal as the rest of the car, and strengthened with ribs. The steering column collapses in a severe accident. The New Minor retains the fantastic visibility of the older Minor, with big windows all around, and now sports a much bigger rear-view mirror.

Mechanically and electronically, the New Minor is much improved. Attempts have been made to keep the car from being too computer-focused. The New Minor uses modern wiring techniques and modern electronic ignition, alternator, etc. The standard gearbox is 5-speed, automatic or manual, but 4-speeds are available on request. Engines have given me pause: I am considering the Ford Ecoboost 1.6L, 130 kW, the Audi EA888 1.8L, 150 kW, and the MINI Tritec SC 1.6L, 125 kW. (For comparison, my Mog's 948cc attains 28 kW, and the most powerful 1275cc attains 50 kW.) Each of these are |4. I am also considering an electric motor, though I know not which one; if such a motor is used, regenerative braking would be included. The New Minor has a 14-gallon petrol tank. (That's US gallons. It converts to 53L.)

The New Minor uses standard modern disc brakes with antilock. It is front-wheel drive and includes power steering. I have made every attempt to retain the old Minor's fantastic handling and characteristic shocks.

Standard on the New Minor are speed control, central locking and power windows, heat and a/c, 5-speed wipers and washers, muffler and catalytic converter, 3-point seatbelts for four seats, airbags in the steering wheel and dash, burglar alarm, and radio with antenna in the windscreen. Options include keyless entry, remote start, sunroof, heated seats, and iPod dock. Upholstery comes in traditional colors, as do the colors of the cars themselves -- Trafalgar Blue and my Mog's Maroon B in particular. The original, simple design of the dash would remain, but the speedo would probably have to be moved behind the steering wheel, for safety's sake.

Other less important alterations include the removal of the plate recess on the boot door (annoying for us Americans ), door mirrors and no quarterlight windows (instead the door window is a single unit), the absence of a sill above the doors (which I'm considering reimplementing), and the additional turnlamp on the side of the front wing.

Almost all the original flash, except where it would conflict with safety, has been kept and meticulously recreated.

As a car that is faithful to Sir Alec's vision (IMHO), it should appeal to the inner Minor fanatic in each of us on the 'board; as an inexpensive small family tourister, it should appeal to much of the British and American markets; with the safety improvements, it may obtain the green Good rating -- the highest rating -- from the US Insurance Institute for Highway Safety or four or five stars from our NHTSA, particularly considering the strength of the roof.

The company will also venture into making meticulously-recreated original stock parts for the old Minor, and will service old Minors at the same dealerships that sell and service new ones.

So.........what do you all think? I'm certainly open to other suggestions!

[Jefftav]

Wouldn't it need to have airbags as standard as well? Also why increase the ground clearance? The design looks good to me, must have taken you a lot of time. Engines I couldn't tell you what is best but any of the 3 suggested sound OK, what about a turbo diesel option? I guess you need to choose one which is available, reliable and easily maintained. This all seems very ambitous for $17,000 as good quality steel wil probably break the piggy bank.

Well done though and I congratulate you on putting your thoughts onto paper and sharing them.

[Ondergard]

Where can I order one? And I presume they'll come in right-hand drive?

[jonathon]

Did some doodles a few years ago of concepts. Some of which we developed other to come

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[Fingolfin]

Very neat ideas, Jonathon! I've been considering designing the dash, but perhaps I'll leave you to that. I particularly liked those.

Since I'm in America, I s'pose it's a given that I'd start a company here. (It doesn't exist yet -- I'd love to be able to send you one, Ondergard, but I haven't got one.) Hence, there'd be at first LHD, but since the primary market for a New Minor would have to be Britain, there'd certainly be RHD almost immediately for export.

Jefftav -- it's already got the airbags, under 'Standard on the...": "...airbags in the steering wheel and dash..." You can never have too much safety. I increased the ground clearance because I live on gravel roads with lots of potholes -- and six inches of clearance is too little for my comfort going over them. I guess most people wouldn't have this problem. The diesel idea is interesting -- and due to the absence of spark, less complex -- but I don't really want to deviate too far from the traditional Minor, and, again with the American market, diesel is far more common in Britain and Continental Europe than the US. In my hometown of perhaps 10 filling stations (with ten or twelve pumps each), there are two diesel pumps.

The price gave me pause. I want it to be far less expensive than your average new car, in keeping with its mission of Minors for the Masses. Consider also that most old Minors go around between us for $3 to $5000; mine was $3500; so why would any of us buy one if it's much too expensive? I suppose it would be all right to go up to even $20 or $22000, and keep the old Minor rebate of course. The price would end up being slightly higher in Britain due to shipping costs and the VAT; say, ₤15000, or ₤14000 for old Minor owners?

The Series II retailed for ₤682, says Wikipedia. This would be roughly ₤11000, or $17500, in 2005. This gives us a rough idea of how much we want the New Minor's price to be. For comparison, a new MINI Cooper is $19500. So $20000 may be about right, but I'd prefer some less.

I've been working on it for a while and only just remembered, hey, I'm a member now, I can post it...