Morris Eight

Morris Eight

2-door saloon
Overview
Manufacturer Morris
Production 1935–48
Body and chassis
Class Small family car (C)
Layout Front-engine, rear-wheel-drive
Chronology
Predecessor Morris Minor (1928)
Successor Morris Minor MM

The Morris Eight is a small family car produced by Morris Motors from 1935 to 1948. It was inspired by the sales popularity of the similarly shaped Ford Model Y. The success of the car enabled Morris to regain its position as Britain's largest motor manufacturer.

Morris Eight series I

Morris Eight

4-door 6-light saloon first registered June 1935
Overview
Also called Morris 8/40 (Australia) [1]
Production 1935–37
164,102 produced[2]
Assembly United Kingdom
Australia [1]
Body and chassis
Body style 2-door saloon[3]
4-door saloon[3]
2-door cabriolet[3]
2-door tourer[3]
5 cwt van[3]
Powertrain
Engine 918 cc Morris Type UB Sidevalve Straight-4
Transmission 3-speed manual[3]
Dimensions
Wheelbase 90 in (2,286 mm)[4]
81 in (2,057 mm) (swb tourer)[3]
Width 54.5 in (1,384 mm)[3]
Height 60 in (1,524 mm)[3]

The car was powered by a Morris UB series 918 cc four-cylinder side-valve engine with three-bearing crankshaft and single SU carburettor with maximum power of 23.5 bhp (17.5 kW). The gearbox was a three-speed unit with synchromesh on the top two speeds and Lockheed hydraulic brakes were fitted. Coil ignition was used in a Lucas electrical system powered by a 6-volt battery and third brush dynamo.

The body, which was either a saloon or open tourer, was mounted on a separate channel section chassis with a 7 feet 6 inches (2.29 m) wheelbase. The tourer could reach 58 mph (93 km/h) and return 45 miles per imperial gallon (6.3 L/100 km; 37 mpg‑US); the saloons were a little slower. The chrome-plated radiator shell and honeycomb grille were dummies disguising the real one hidden behind. In September 1934 the bare chassis was offered for £95.[3] For buyers of complete cars prices ranged from £118 for the basic two-seater to £142 for the four door saloon with "sunshine" roof and leather seats.[3] Bumpers and indicators were £2 10 shillings (£2.50) extra.

Compared with the similarly priced, but much lighter and longer established Austin 7, the 1934/35 Morris Eight was well equipped.[3] The driver was provided with a full set of instruments including a speedometer with a built in odometer, oil pressure and fuel level gauges and an ammeter.[3] The more modern design of the Morris was reflected in the superior performance of its hydraulically operated 8-inch drum brakes.[3] The Morris also scored over its Ford rival by incorporating an electric windscreen wiper rather than the more old-fashioned vacuum powered equivalent,[3] while its relatively wide 45 inch track aided directional stability on corners.[3]

The series I designation was used from June 1935 in line with other Morris models, cars made before this are known as pre-series although the official Morris Motors designation was by the model year (35) even though they were introduced in October 1934. Of the 164,102 cars produced approximately 24,000 were tourers.

Variants

Morris Eight series II

Morris Eight series II

2-door saloon and siblings in New Zealand
Overview
Also called Morris 8/40 (Australia) [1]
Production 1938
54,000 produced[2]
Assembly United Kingdom
Australia [1]
Body and chassis
Body style 2-door saloon
4-door saloon
2-door cabriolet
2-door tourer
Powertrain
Engine 918 cc Morris Type UB Side-valve Straight-4
Dimensions
Wheelbase 90 in (2286 mm)[4]

In 1938 the car was updated with a slight restyle to match the other cars in the Morris range. Changes included painted rather than plated radiator surrounds and disc (Easiclean) wheels replaced the previous "Magna" wire spoked ones.[3] The engine and running gear were unchanged.[3]

Morris Eight Series E

Morris Eight Series E

Series E 4-door saloon
Overview
Also called Morris 8/40 (Australia) [1]
Production 1938–48
120,434 produced[5]
Assembly United Kingdom
Australia [6]
Body and chassis
Body style 2-door saloon, fixed or sliding head
4-door saloon, fixed or sliding head
2-door cabriolet
2-door tourer
2-door roadster utility [7]
2-door coupe utility [7]
2-door panel van [7]
Powertrain
Engine 918 cc Morris Type USHM Sidevalve engine Straight-4
Dimensions
Wheelbase 89 in (2261 mm)[4]
Length 144 in (3658 mm)[4]

The Series E announced in October 1938[8] brought a major restyle with a "waterfall" dummy grille, headlights in the wings and the running boards had gone. The car was longer, wider and heavier but the wheelbase was actually 1-inch (25 mm) shorter at 7 feet 5 inches (2.26 m). There was now an "inbuilt luggage compartment with external access" with a space available of 'close on 5¼ cubic feet with the door closed'. There was also a parcels tray the full width of the dashboard. The "alligator" bonnet was now rear hinged making engine access poor. The engine was upgraded to the Morris USHM series, getting a new cylinder head, still side-valve however, the unit being very similar to those used in series 1 and 2 cars. Increased power to 29 bhp (22 kW) was now available and the crankshaft was counterbalanced and fitted with shell-type bearings. The gearbox was now four-speed with syncromesh on second, third and top. The Lucas electrics remained at 6 volts, but now with automatic regulation of the dynamo in a two-brush system. Top speed was around 58 mph (93 km/h).

Production continued through the war for the military, essential civilian use and some export. Post-war general production restarted in 1945 but there were no more tourers made in the UK. In Australia, however, a flourishing body-building industry continued to provide tourer versions on imported chassis/mechanicals.

The engine went on to be used, with very minor changes, in the series MM from 1948 till 1953 Morris Minor and was also adapted as an auxiliary power unit in Centurion, Conqueror and Chieftain tanks. Morris also used this engine as the basis of special Marine and Stationary power plants.

A very similarly styled Wolseley Eight was also prepared in the 1930s and offered after 1945. An original 1939 prototype survives, having for many years been owned by Lord Nuffield.

Morris Series Z

Morris Series Z

Morris Series Z Van
Overview
Production 1940–54
Over 51,000 produced
Assembly United Kingdom
Australia
Body and chassis
Body style 2-door van
2-door coupé utility (Australia)

A van version of the Series E, rated at 5 cwt capacity and designated as the Series Z, was produced from 1940 to 1953.[9] While having the external appearance similar to the Series E, mechanically the vans were more akin to the Series II, still having a three-speed gearbox. More than 51,000 examples were built.[9]

A coupé utility variant of the Series Z was produced in Australia, utilising imported chassis and engines with locally built bodies.[10]

1949 Morris Series Z
5 cwt coupé utility

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 bmcexperience.com.au Retrieved 2 June 2015
  2. 1 2 Sedgwick, M. (1989). A-Z of Cars of the 1930s. Bay View Books. ISBN 1-870979-38-9.
  3. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 "Battle of the Bangers". CAR. February 1968. pp. 53–56.
  4. 1 2 3 4 Culshaw; Horrobin (1974). Complete Catalogue of British Cars. Macmillan. ISBN 0-333-16689-2.
  5. ↑ Sedgwick, Michael; Gillies Mark (1986). A–Z of Cars 1945–1970. Bay View Books. ISBN 1-870979-39-7.
  6. ↑ Gavin Farmer, Great Ideas in Motion, A History of Chrysler in Australia, 2010, page 405
  7. 1 2 3 Larry O'Toole, The Good Old Aussie Ute, 2000, pages 209–210
  8. ↑ A New Morris Eight, The Times, 12 October 1938, p.10, issue 48123
  9. 1 2 1940–53 series Z, Morris Register Retrieved on 14 April 2012
  10. ↑ Information board for 1951 Morris Series Z Coupe Utility exhibit, National Motor Museum, Birdwood, South Australia, 11 March 2012
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