With the American-inspired Ford Model Y bringing new levels of motoring to the UK’s masses in the 1930s, British manufacturer Morris was quick to follow suit.
Previously, the Ford Model T and Austin 7 were Great Britain’s “people’s cars”, but the Model Y moved things in a much more upmarket direction while still being affordable. The Morris 8 was more of the same. It appeared in 1935 and was initially coach-built at the Morris Motor Works in Cowley, Oxfordshire, before its unprecedented popularity led to series production starting later that year.
This one, then, is a proper rarity. A very early 8 from the first year of manufacture, it’s one of only a handful of known surviving pre-Series cars, built before the model was assembled on a production line. That makes it arguably the most collectable Morris 8, especially in delicately styled open-tourer format.
It was restored early in the 21st century to a superb standard but has spent the past seven years in storage, so requires some recommissioning to return it to a roadworthy state. JPD6rzJv5Obow5Kg7TCeQoyLuqJpotHxMWjCUBPa.jpeg900.91 KB
The History and Paperwork
Owned since 2015
Dry stored in heated car house
Seven previous owners
Supplied with a current UK V5C registration document
Trimmed in rich red leather with matching door cards and carpets, the Morris’s cabin is beautifully presented and it’s in great overall condition with no problems to report.
If we were being picky, there’s one tiny nick to the leather on the top of the driver’s side seat back and some signs of ageing to some of the dials – but then they are almost 90 years old. There’s also some minor staining to the underside of the fabric roof.LSDFRx9ggeDBfZnsg1HiEJlmJsjV9VtZBqd0o2jw.jpeg1.24 MB
The Exterior
Older restoration
Two-tone maroon and black
Excellent paint finish
Fabric roof and weather gear supplied
The Morris was restored several years ago and to a very good standard, meaning that the rich paintwork still retains a deep and glossy shine to this day. It has been stored in optimal conditions to avoid any deterioration, so the panels are all still very clean, smart and free of damage, as are the black wire wheels.
Included is a black canvas hood that’s still in decent order, with detachable all-round weather gear should you wish to use it outside of the summer months.edWQKYmE9z3Va8t0Tm5AJ31oiPTertTO4s913tRu.jpeg1.11 MB
The Mechanics
918cc 4cyl side-valve
Ran well when stored
Minor recommissioning required
Braking system will require attention
The Morris is said to have been in great working order when the owner acquired it in 2015 and he used it for a few events and family occasions before putting the car into dry, temperature-controlled storage.
It has sat in the storage house since and will now require some gentle recommissioning to get it back up and running. The rear brakes are stuck on and will need freeing off, as will the clutch, while the engine will need a new battery and fresh fuel at the very least to get it back to life. That said, the vendor reports that it ran very well seven years ago and shouldn’t require a huge amount of work to bring it back to life.
Here is an opportunity to acquire one of the most charming and interesting variants of the Morris 8 – a pre-series production model in very tidy cosmetic order, great structural condition and probably a weekend’s work away from being back up and running properly. It’s a lovely old thing that deserves to be out and about and being enjoyed.
Notice to bidders
This item is sold on an ‘As is Where is’ basis. The condition of this item is the opinion of the seller and may differ from your own opinion. Photos and listing descriptions are for guidance purposes only*.** Car & Classic do not warrant listing accuracy. Full inspection is recommended. Viewings are at the seller’s discretion. Buyer is responsible for delivery and collection of any item purchased.*
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