Created during a period when cost and durability were the prime factors in the sales of cars, the Morris 8 also provided robust engineering and charismatic motoring for millions of motorists. 

Considerably sweeter to drive than its Austin Seven and Ford Model Y rivals, due in part to the Morris' refined road manners, comfortable ride, usable 4-speed gearbox, and respectable cruising ability, the Morris quickly rose to popularity after its introduction in 1934. 

Fitted with several other useful driver aids, such as oil pressure and fuel gauges, along with an ammeter, the Morris 8 was quite an impressive little mover too. 

It easily outpaced its older rivals, and with hydraulically operated 8-inch drum brakes to wind back the giddy excitement after the thrill of reaching dual carriageway speeds.

This 1936 Tourer is a Series 1 model, complete with its sporty two-seater configuration and appealing two-tone body paintwork. 

This well-presented example has seen restoration in its recent past and comes with a tidy interior, a well-maintained engine, excellent weather protection gear and the virtues of an active and accommodating owners club. 

Documented as being first registered in 1939 on the V5, it is believed that this is a 1936 Series 1 car. 

The Morris displays evidence of restoration carried out, which is likely to have included chassis/bodywork, an interior retrim and a mechanical overhaul. 

The previous owner drove the vehicle from the south coast to Nottingham for the annual pre-1940 Morris register meet the year before, giving any prospective buyer confidence in the vehicle's mechanical durability. 

Recent attention includes a new dynamo, coil and fuel pipes, the current owner has also given the car an oil service. 

The online MOT records suggest that the car has covered around 3000 miles over the last 10 years, which demonstrates a healthy balance of use. The car is documented with the Pre-war Morris register and comes with copies of its OEM operation and Pitman's manuals, a current V5 and a handful of recent invoices. 

Bought earlier this year, the owner took on the car on something of a whim, fuelled by a passionate interest in Pre-war cars. Consolidation of his collection means that he has decided to sell the car, as he confesses he hasn’t really had the time to enjoy it as much as he could.

The interior presentation bears the hallmarks of a quality restoration with a nice balance of the refurbished red leatherette upholstery and new carpets with the originality of the facia and controls. 

The seats are therefore in excellent shape, with intact beading and comfy support. All door and side cards are finished in the same material and are similarly scuff-free. 

The carpets have a contrasting red pipe accent and are well fitted with no real signs of wear. They are all dry, including the rear luggage section. The dashboard's lower padding is good, with the red metal work free of any wear or damage. 

The instruments are all said to be fully operational and appear to be correct for the model. All are legible. There is a sheen of age on the black panel but that simply complements the lightly worn steering wheel and gear-lever. 

The car is also fitted with a fully functional electric windscreen wiper. 

The chassis is in good condition, with no issues noted on the suspension mounts. 

The tourer is heavily reliant on its wood frames, but all appears to be in good order, with no tell-tale signs noted on the door bottoms or rear wheel arches. The floor pan appears to be solid too. 

The running boards are well mounted with no distortion. The panel fit is pleasingly coherent, with doors and latches all operating as expected. The metal work is free of dents, with no significant damage noted. 

The paint finish is presentable with a decent gloss, with an occasional sign of age and a few cosmetic marks mainly on the black sections of the body. There is also a small cluster of bubbling observed under the paint noted on the lower section of the off-side rear wing. 

The chrome trim, particularly the grill and windscreen is very smartly presented with the glass also appearing intact with healthy-looking seals. The rest of the trim, including the throw-over door catches, are in good shape. 

The soft-top roof is in excellent condition and provides a good tight fit. It retracts and raises with no trouble. The car also comes with its side screens and a tonneau cover, both are in a similar condition to the roof. 

The lighting elements are free from wear, with the added bonus of the car being fitted with directional indicators. 

The Morris is fitted with easy clean steel wheels, they do show a little sign of age under the black paint but are adorned by a decent set of hubcaps. The tyres display a positive amount of tread with no signs of sidewall wear. 

The car is said to drive well with no excessive body shake. It starts up instantly with no hesitation despite the excessively hot day, with no reports of oil pressure issues. 

No fluid leaks were noted on the ground. 

The Series E 885cc side valve engine is in good physical condition, with no excessive exhaust smoke. The car is said to pull well, and the owner pointed out that the 4-speed gearbox is surprisingly capable around the lanes and drives with good stability and reasonable road-holding. 

The all-hydraulic brakes are all said to operate well within their remit, with no reported issues with the steering.

Don’t be put off by the age of the car, it is surprisingly able and has many attributes over the majority of small cars of the era. 

The Morris brand has a loyal following with a very active club and along with its common sense mechanics and proven durability, it should be a cinch to maintain. 

Drop the roof, roll it out and then off you go to potter around the local country lanes until sunset. 

Perfect relaxing and enjoyable motoring.