Morris Major Elite

Production period:	1962 to 1964
Body versions :	Saloon
Engines:	Gasoline : 1.6 liters (45 kW)
Length:	4089 mm
Width:	1549 mm
Wheelbase :	2337 mm
Curb weight :	940 kg

The Morris Major Elite was Introduced in April 1962 for the Australian market.

History

It was first released in April of 1962. The Morris Major Elite type YDO1 was the model's third and final release, and it replaced the Austin Lancer, which was no longer needed due to changes in the BMC dealer network in Australia. There were no longer any different dealers for each of the BMC brands; instead, there were only BMC dealers. As a result, it was deemed that two brand variants of the same automobile would no longer make sense, despite the fact that neither an elite nor an Austin Lancer Series III was planned until soon before the launch of the elite.

The Elite had the larger 1,622 cc engine with more power; this version had a Zenith VN carburetor and a mechanical gasoline pump from Goss. Telescopic rear shock absorbers, seat belt attachment points and improved front suspension rubber bumpers were further technical improvements. So you reached a convincing facelift with only a few changes to the body, it featured chrome trim on the window frames, a new, wide grille (similar to the contemporary Morris Oxford ) and a rocket-shaped color flash on the tail fins. Also new were the heating / ventilation, two-tone paint in a number of new simple and pastel shades, better interior and windscreen washer. The selling price was also below that of the predecessor, which made the already very priced Major even cheaper. The sales figures were very good and the warranty expenses were lower than any other previous BMC model in Australia.

The introduction of the Morris 1100 led in 1964 to the production cessation of the major. A number of copies of all versions of Major and Lancer have survived to this day.