In 1927 William Morris had purchased the bankrupt Wolseley Motors Limited. One of the Company's assets was the design for a small 8hp car known as the B4 type. This has an advanced overhead camshaft engine and formed the basis for the Morris Minor, introduced in 1928.

For the first time Morris was able to compete in the small car market, which had previously been dominated by the Austin Seven. Despite this, the overhead camshaft Minor was not a great success. The company developed a simpler and cheaper side-valve model, introduced in 1931 it was the famous as the first car to sell at £100.