Morris Ten

Morris Ten
Manufacturer Morris
Production 1933–1948
Successor Morris Oxford MO
Layout FR layout

The Morris Ten was a medium sized car introduced in 1933 as the company's offering in the important 10 hp sector of the British market. It continued through a series of variants until 1948 when it was replaced by the MO Series Morris Oxford. (The letters 'HP' in the car's name defined originally its fiscal horse power rather than its bhp.)

Contents

Morris Ten-Four

Morris Ten-Four
Production 1933–1935
49,238 produced (including Ten-Six models)[1]
Body style saloon
2-seat convertible
4-seat convertible
Engine 1292 cc Morris Sidevalve Straight-4
Wheelbase 96 inches (2438 mm)[2]
Length 147 inches (3739 mm)[2]

The car was powered by a Morris 1292 cc four cylinder side valve engine with single SU carburettor. The gearbox was a four speed unit and Lockheed hydraulic brakes were fitted. .

Body styles at launch in August 1933 were restricted to a saloon and coupé but a tourer joined the range in December followed in 1934 by a two seater with dickey and a Traveller's Saloon.

The chassis was revised for 1934 and synchromesh appeared on the gearbox. Two tone paint schemes were optional from 1935.

Morris Ten-Six

Morris Ten-Six
Production 1934-1935
production - see Ten-Four[1]
Engine 1378 cc Morris Sidevalve Straight-6
Wheelbase 102 inches (2591 mm)[2]

In 1934 a six cylinder version of the Ten was announced on a longer wheelbase chassis.

A sporting version, the Ten-Six Special was also made in small numbers with tuned engine and twin SU carburettors. the standard body was an open four seater but some chassis were supplied to coachbuilders.

Morris Ten Series II

Morris Ten Series II
Production 1935–1937
59,364 (including Morris Twelve Series II) produced[1]
Body style saloon
coupé
Engine 1292 cc Morris Sidevalve engine Straight-4
Wheelbase 98 inches (2489 mm)[2]

A rationalisation of the Morris range took place in 1935 and the new Ten Series II shared its body and chassis with the Morris Twelve Series II. A three speed gearbox was fitted at first but a four speed re-appeared as an option from 1936 and standard from 1937. Steel disc Easiclene wheels replaced the wire ones at the end of 1936. Two tone paintwork is common.

Morris Ten Series III

Morris Ten Series III
Production 1938
13,719 produced[1]
Body style saloon
coupé
Engine 1292 cc Morris overhead valve engine Straight-4
Transmission 4-apeed maual [3]
Wheelbase 98 inches (2489 mm)[2]
Length 160 in (4,064 mm) [3]
Width 61 in (1,549 mm)[3]
Height 64 in (1,626 mm)[3]

For 1938 the engine was updated to overhead valve as fitted to the Wolsely 10/40 increasing the power output from 27 to 37.5 bhp[1]. The chromium plated radiator surround was replaced by a painted one and all paint schemes were single, rather than two tone.

Morris Ten Series M

Morris Ten Series M
Production 1938–1948
27,020 produced pre war[1]
53,566 produced post war[4]
Body style 4-door saloon
pick up (wartime only)
Engine 1140 cc Morris XPAG overhead valve engine Straight-4
Transmission 4-apeed maual [3]
Wheelbase 94 inches (2388 mm)[2]
Length 158 inches (4013 mm)[2]
Width 61 in (1,549 mm)[3]
Height 65 in (1,651 mm)[3]
Related Wolseley Ten

A completely new car with unitary construction. The engine, with an output of 37 bhp (28 kW) at 4600 rpm[5] was new and was also fitted to the MG TC sports car in a higher state of tune. The chassis was very conventional for the time with solid axles front and rear and the suspension used leaf springs all round. The car had a top speed of around 62 miles per hour (100 km/h).[5]

Only saloon bodies with optional sun roof were made for the civilian market but a range of pick up bodies were fitted during World War II as one of among many similar products by British manufactures collectively known by the nickname "Tillies". The car was also assembled in India as the Hindustan 10 .

Post-war models can be distinguished from those made before 1940 by a cosmetic change to the radiator grill, the later versions being rounder, faired in to the engine side panels and without the Morris badge at the top.

References

  1. ^ a b c d e f Sedgwick, M.; Gillies (1989). A-Z of Cars of the 1930s. Devon, UK: Bay View Books. ISBN 1-870979-38-9. 
  2. ^ a b c d e f g Culshaw; Horrobin (1974). Complete Catalogue of British Cars. London: Macmillan. ISBN 0-333-16689-2. 
  3. ^ a b c d e f g "Second Hand car guide supplement". Practical Motorist 6 Nbr 68: between pages 768 & 769. date April 1960. 
  4. ^ Sedgwick, Michael; Gillies Mark (1986). A-Z of Cars 1945-1970. Devon, UK: Bay View Books. ISBN 1-870979-39-7. 
  5. ^ a b Robson, Graham (2000). A to Z of British Cars 1945-1980. Devon, UK: Herridge. ISBN 0-9541063-9-3. 

External links