Morris 1100 - Australian Model Identification

MORRIS 1100



Identification	Changes year by year	Body Numbers	Engine Numbers	Paint Codes	Build Dates

	Many changes were made over the years but not all are obvious or visible. The following are a few of the more obvious distinguishing details.

l964	Early cars can be distinguished by several features unique to the first year of production. For the first few months of production the gearlever had a curved 'goose-neck' shaped top which follows the contour of the front bench seat. This changed during May with car number YMGS1 6284 to the later style straight lever with a 45° rearward bend half way up from the floor.
	Also, the instrument cluster in 1964 cars has a grey background with elegant pastel green numbers and dark orange needles. It contains two green arrow shaped warning lamps for the indicators, and a blue lamp above the odometer labelled 'main beam'.	Note: The labels beneath the instruments for the switches were unique to Australian models.
	The indicator switch had a chrome shaft with a black plastic tip. This combination was fitted up to and including car number YMGS1 20076.

l965	With car number YMGS1 20077 the instrument cluster was given a black background with simplified white numerals and fluorescent red needles. A new "oil filter" warning lamp and relocated "main beam" warning lamp replace the indicator warning lamp arrows made redundant by the new green warning lamp built into the tip of indicator switch stalk.
	Meanwhile, under the bonnet, a mechanical fuel pump replaced the electric one that lived next to the petrol tank upto engine 24577 in April (Approx body 24020). The windcreen washer bottle changed from the Trafalgar brand to the TUDOR brand mid-year at body 27077

l966	Towards the end of the year the rear vision mirror changed from the earlier, vibration-prone plastic type with black suction cap to the smaller, metal type which was carried over to the 1300/1500 series and early Mini Clubman.

l967	The 1100 S is introduced in August, differentiated externally by an "S" badge on the boot lid and 1,275cc engine under the bonnet. The 1100 Automatic is introduced in November.
	Upholstery style changed. The knee-roll disappears and the strips continue over and down the front of the seat cushion. Similarly on the backrest, the strips continue right up to the top edge. Note: This style was carried over to the Morris 1300/1500 which replaced the 1100 in 1969. The rubber floor loses the Morris emblem on the hump forward of the gear lever.
	The door trim style is altered too. The upper half, which has been an embossed basket weave pattern, is changed to the same plain material as the lower half.
	During 1967 (and prior to the introduction of the 1100 S) the front and rear overiders were discontinued on the 1100 Deluxe. They were still available as a replacement part and therefore could be fitted at the dealership if the customer wished.

l968	With development of the 1100's replacement underway, further cosmetic changes were limited. Later in the year the chrome strip down the centre of the bonnet was discontinued as well.
	The chrome hubcaps with "M" centres were replaced by the stainless steel variety with plain centres. These also carried through to the Morris 1300/1500. Often it is assumed that the plain hubcaps were not introduced until the 1300/1500 in June 1969 but this is not so. However, the slotted wheel rims are a 1300/1500 item.


l969	Automatic models are fitted with 1,275cc engine instead of 1,098cc and denoted "Morris 1100 S automatic". However, a stockpile of 1,100cc Automatic cars built towards the end of 1968 are sold before just 600 or so the larger engined 1100 "S" automatics.	All models discontinued and replaced by the 1300/1500 range of vehicles mid year.

It is important to bear in mind that seats, door trims, hubcaps, instrument clusters and most of the above mentioned distinguishing features are, to a large extent, interchangable between cars of different years and should be used as a guide only. For example, the bootlid from a 1972 Morris 1500 will fit a 1964 Morris 1100 - even the badges can be interchanged, except for the 1500's additional "OHC" script.