following the introduction of the 1098cc engine in 1962 and 8cwt versions were added in 1968 with more substantial rear leaf springs. As BMC's policy was to provide both Austin and Morris with complete commercial vehicle ranges, Austin-badged variants of the Minor van and pick-up were sold following the end of Austin A35 production in 1968. These featured Austin badging and the corporate Austin 'crinkle-cut' radiator grille but were otherwise identical to the standard Minor commercials, and were sold as the Austin 6cwt and Austin 8cwt. Morris Minor today Today the Morris Minor and 1000 are among the best-served classic family-sized cars in the old vehicle movement and continue to gain popularity. The enduring affection for the "Moggie" (also a common British nickname for an undistinguished cat, or a Morgan) or "Morrie" (as it is often known in Australia and New Zealand) is reflected in the number of restored and improved Morris Minors currently running in Britain and Australasia. In addition to more powerful engines, desirable improvements necessitated by the increase in traffic density since the Minor was withdrawn from volume production include the replacement of the original equipment drum brakes with discs. Other important upgrades include the version of the A-series engine, derided by Morris Marina enthusiasts as a key reason why many Marinas were scrapped, and the similarly sized Nissan A engine, which shares all common dimensions to the Morris Minor engine, except piston size. Top Gear presenter Jeremy Clarkson once stated that the Morris Minor is Britain's Volkswagen Beetle (although this was meant in a derogatory way rather than favourably). There is still an extensive parts backup for these cars, and parts are cheap compared to modern day cars. Replacement panels for the Morris Minor were still being made in 2002 by the Durable Car Company in Sri Lanka. References Bibliography Newell, Ray (1993), Original Morris Minor (Bay View Books Ltd, Bideford, Devon, ) Newell, Ray (2018), Morris Minor - 70 years on the road (Veloce Publishing Ltd, ) Wainwright, Martin (2008), Morris Minor – The Biography (Aurum Press, ) External links https://www.mmoc.org.uk/ - Morris Minor Owners Club http://www.morrisdownunder.com/forum/index.php – Morris Minor community forum http://MORRISMINOR.US – Morris Minor Registry of North America Minor Issigonis vehicles 1940s cars Subcompact cars Sedans Station wagons Convertibles Vans Pickup trucks 1950s cars 1960s cars 1970s cars Rear-wheel-drive vehicles Cars introduced in 1948