Morris Six MS

Morris Six MS
Overview
Manufacturer	Morris BMC
Production	1948–1953 12,400 made [1]
Body and chassis
Class	Mid-size
Body style	4-door saloon
Layout	FR layout
Related	Wolseley 6/80
Powertrain
Engine	2215 cc Straight-6 overhead cam
Transmission	4-speed manual
Dimensions
Wheelbase	88 in (2,200 mm) [2]
Length	177 in (4,500 mm) [2]
Width	65 in (1,700 mm) [2]
Height	63 in (1,600 mm) [2]
Chronology
Predecessor	Morris Twenty-One/Twenty-Five
Successor	Morris Isis

The Morris Six MS was a six-cylinder midsize car from Morris Motors Limited made from 1948 to 1953. Announced with Morris Motors' Minor, Oxford and Wolseley ranges on Tuesday 26 October 1948 it was Morris's first post war six-cylinder car. All the new cars were of integral construction of chassis and body and rode on independent front suspension with torsion bars. At launch the car was priced at £607 (including tax) on the UK market^[3] though the price went to £671 on 1 March 1949.

Its engine rated under the old system, which was dropped that year, at just over 20hp and with a clear external likeness to its prewar 25hp predecessor the car was also very similar to the Issigonis designed Morris Oxford MO sharing the Oxford's bodyshell from the scuttle backwards, and his Minor MM. The bonnet was longer than the Oxford's to take the overhead camshaft, single SU carburettor, 2215 cc six-cylinder engine which produced 70 bhp (52 kW) at 4800 rpm.^[2] The whole car was longer than the Oxford with a wheelbase of 110 inches (2,800 mm) against 97 inches (2,500 mm). Suspension was independent at the front using torsion bars and at the rear there was a conventional live axle and semi elliptic springs. The steering was not by the rack and pinion method fitted to the Oxford but used a lower geared Bishop Cam system. The 10 inches (250 mm) drum brakes were hydraulically operated using a Lockheed system. Production was delayed until March 1949 because of difficulties with metal fatigue in the bulkhead or scuttle's link to the front suspension.^[4]

Aside from the grille and identification marks the whole car was shared with Nuffield Organisation more luxuriously finished stable-mate Wolseley as the 6/80.

A car tested by the British magazine The Motor in 1950 had a top speed of 82.5 mph (132.8 km/h) and could accelerate from 0-60 mph (97 km/h) in 22.4 seconds. A fuel consumption of 20 miles per imperial gallon (14 L/100 km; 17 mpg_-US) was recorded. The test car cost £671 including taxes.^[2]

In 1950 the rear axle ratio was lowered to improve acceleration and twin dampers fitted to the front torsion bar independent suspension.

A de-luxe version was announced at the 1953 London Motor Show with leather upholstery, a heater and over-riders on the front bumpers.

• 

  Six Sister: The Wolseley 6/80 sibling

• 

  Morris Six series MS

• 

  MS Six tall grille

References