Description
This is so cool. The subject of a recent body-off chassis refurbishment and sporting a number of period mechanical upgrades, this ultra-rare Z Series van screams fun on every level. Not perhaps for the purist, the Morris is a hoot to drive and offers scope for further detailing subject to individual taste. A regular on the show circuit in Summer 2025, the Z could be used as a daily runabout and with appropriate livery would make a terrific advertising vehicle. I`m even tempted myself to do just that!
Introduced in 1935, the Morris Eight was a small family car powered by a Morris UB series 918cc engine and available initially as either a 2 or 4-door saloon or open tourer. Better equipped that it`s main competitor, the Austin 7, the Eight came with hydraulic drum brakes, electric windscreen wiper and full set of drivers` instruments including a speedometer, oil pressure and fuel level gauge. All very modern at the time! After a slight restyle in early 1938, the biggest change came in October that year with a major restyle featuring a “waterfall” dummy grille with headlights incorporated into the wings. The Series E, as it was known, was born. As a car it was longer, wider and heavier than its predecessor and benefitted from a luggage compartment with “external access”. Mechanically, it was upgraded to the Morris USHM series of the same engine capacity but with a revised cylinder head was capable of producing 29BHP enabling a top speed of 58MPH. In 1940, a small commercial variant, the Series Z van, entered production and ran for some 13 years with over 51, 000 units built. Many of these (around 25%) were sold to the GPO and were used countrywide to expand and maintain telephone communication networks. Sadly, very few now remain with records suggesting less than 60 examples exist on UK roads today.
Our van was registered in London in April 1953 and from what we understand, remained with it`s first owner for some 26 years before being sold to a Morris enthusiast in June 1979 living in Milton Keynes. There it remained for the next 38 years before heading North to Glasgow in May 2017. Now very much a non-running project, the van sat in a garage for a further 5 years before moving South in November 2022 to a new home in the Yorkshire Dales. After good intentions to restore it came to nothing, the Morris ultimately was sold again in September 2024 to a mechanic and keen classic car restorer in Chorley, Lancashire. The decision to both refurbish and mechanically upgrade was made almost immediately with the acquisition of a 1098cc A-Series engine and gearbox on the return trip home! Work started straightaway with the body and axles being lifted off the chassis to allow cleaning, repairing and appropriate treatment whilst the entire steel body was stripped to bare metal, rust treated and all lower bodywork repaired as necessary. With MGB axles now fitted front and rear and new wooden floors installed, the body was reinstated with upgraded engine and gearbox now in place with all new ancillaries including cooling system (radiator, water pump and hoses), fuel system (manifolds, SU carburettor, fuel tank, pump and sender), full clutch kit including new slave and master cylinders and full braking system including lines, master cylinder, callipers and pads. With new suspension in place, the van was subsequently rewired with new fuse box and battery and finally repainted in Old English White with Black wings. Inside the cabin, later high-back seats with inertia seat belts were fitted to provide greater comfort and security whilst a later custom-made wooden dashboard supports a modern electronic dash set-up with full set of dials. There is plenty of further scope to detail and complete the cabin to personal specification but it is perfectly functional as is. After 9 months of blood, sweat and a little swearing, the van went back on the road in June 2025, since when it has attended a number of local shows around the North West. Only the desire to continue with another project has persuaded our restorer to part with it after many hundreds of hours invested and over £2000 in parts alone, not to mention the original purchase price of £1800 in September 2024.
Photographs of the refurbishment on a before, during and after basis are available to interested parties but the pictures in this listing tell the story of the van as it is today. After considerable work, it has been made structurally and mechanically healthy albeit has been finished in more “rat-rod” style than “spit and polish”. All panel-work has been stripped, prepared and painted but one or two areas now show a little light surface corrosion where the van has been parked outside. However, the finish is commensurate with the overall look of the vehicle and suits the mild custom style sitting on larger 14” MGB Rostyle wheels, black bonnet clips, coloured swage line and additional driving lights. Both under-bonnet and the underside speak for themselves and reflect extensive refurbishment and upgrading whilst the interior is practical and functional leaving scope for further finishing. New wooden floors support a pair of black vinyl sports seats with inertia belts whilst a custom-made wooden dashboard features an electronic dash with full set of dials and extra gauges beneath. Turn the key and with a little choke, the A-Series fires immediately into life sounding purposeful and ready for action. On the road, the van drives akin to a Minor van with peppy performance, balanced handling and positive steering and further benefits from excellent stopping power thanks to upgraded MGB drum brakes. On a sunny Winter afternoon, I took the Morris for a run across the West Dorset Downs and enjoyed every second. It is genuinely easy to drive with surprisingly good visibility. And the reaction it receives from other road users is quite extraordinary - thumbs up and smiles all `round!
The van comes with a comprehensive list of all work undertaken recently, a current V5C, a full set of keys and various spares including a gearbox and spare Rostyle wheels.
A very rare and rather cool little van with sensible period upgrades. Huge fun too.
Shore Classics is based on the West Dorset coast within easy proximity of both Weymouth and the County town of Dorchester. As classic and vintage dealers, we offer full brokerage facilities. So if you require some help and guidance with selling your classic car or motorcycle, just give us a call today.
