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.
Median 90 hp across 163 similar cars
Lead trim: Major Series I 1.5 B-Series four (1489 cc)
Morris Major and Austin Lancer Series I1958–1959
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Nobody in Burbles has spotted a Morris Major and Austin Lancer Series I 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.
FactThis 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.
The Morris Major and Austin Lancer are passenger car models produced by BMC Australia between 1958 and 1964. The Series I, introduced in March 1958 and designated DO1101, was developed from the Wolseley 1500 and Riley One-Point-Five (the shared design had originally been a possible Morris Minor replacement) and built at BMC Australia's Victoria Park plant at Zetland, Sydney, with up to 98% local content. It was a lightweight, close-coupled saloon with the front torsion-bar / rear leaf-spring suspension, floor pan and accurate rack-and-pinion steering of the Morris Minor, powered by the 1489 cc B-series four with an MG Magnette type four-speed manual with floor selector and bucket front seats; instruments were placed before the driver in the Austin Lancer and centrally in the Morris. Large heavy-duty Lockheed drum brakes were common (Girling on the Riley), and specially prepared cars were raced into the early 1960s. Early Series I rear axle units acquired an unfortunate reputation for major failure.
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 Series I 1.5 B-Series four (1489 cc) | 1958–1959 | 1.5 L Inline-4 | 50 hp | 74 lb-ft | — | 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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