Marketed as "Truly Australian," the Major Elite quietly posted the lowest warranty claims of any BMC Australia model up to that point.
Median 92 hp across 208 similar cars
Lead trim: Major Elite 1.6 B-Series four (1622 cc)
Morris Major Elite1962–1964
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Nobody in Burbles has spotted a Morris Major Elite yet. See one on the street, point the app at it, and the first card is yours — with your @handle permanently credited on this page.
FactMarketed as "Truly Australian," the Major Elite quietly posted the lowest warranty claims of any BMC Australia model up to that point.
The Morris Major Elite, designated YDO1, was introduced in March 1962, replacing the Series II and supplanting the Austin Lancer range completely after the rationalisation of BMC Australia's dealer network into "BMC Centres". It was powered by the enlarged 1622 cc engine with a Zenith VN carburettor, a dry-element air filter and a Goss mechanical fuel pump, with telescopic rear shock absorbers, stronger fine-spline axle shafts, seat-belt mounting points and uprated front suspension rubbers; a visually striking facelift brought bright window surrounds, a full-width grille resembling that of the Mk VI Morris Oxford and a "rocket" colour flash on the tailfins, plus a fresh-air heater/demister, duo-tone paint, redesigned seating and a windscreen washer. The price was lowered to £940, and marketed under the tagline "Truly Australian" it held an impressive share of BMC Australia sales with the fewest warranty claims of any model to date. YDO1 production ceased by February 1964, when it was replaced by the Morris 1100.
Collectors Spotted in the Morris Major Lineage
No member has published a public street spot of the Morris Major yet — the First · Worldwide stamp is wide open.
Trims & Figures
One published trim in the catalogue. A blank is a figure not recorded, not zero.
| Trim | Years | Engine | Power | Torque | 0–60 | Drive | Gearbox | MSRP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Major Elite 1.6 B-Series four (1622 cc) | 1962–1964 | 1.6 L Inline-4 | 58 hp | — | — | RWD | — | — |
Owning one
We don’t estimate running costs for a car like this. What it costs depends on its condition, its specialist and how it is driven, and an average would mislead.
Owners’ builds
Nobody has claimed one yet.
Photographs
Marketed as "Truly Australian," the Major Elite quietly posted the lowest warranty claims of any BMC Australia model up to that point.
The Series I sold well enough that BMC Australia immediately poured money into a from-scratch re-engineering for this Series II, rather than coast on the original.
This Series I Major and Lancer were built almost entirely in Australia — up to 98% local content, at a Sydney plant that made them unique to the country.
Rivals
Same body, same money, other badges — tap any card to flip.
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