Lot Ended
Description
1938 Morris Eight Series II Saloon
Lovely
original example with a recent full engine overhaul; superb interior; local car
since new
Morris's
great Thirties success and one of Britain's best-loved pre-war cars, it is no
exaggeration to say that the Eight was the car that saved the
company.
It was an
affordable family car, better suited to the now busy English roads than the
larger models in the range. So successful was it that within three years of its
introduction in September 1934, over 160,000 had been sold.
Available
as a two- or four-seat tourer and a two- or four-door saloon, the Eight was
capable of 60mph and 40mpg from its 23.5bhp 918cc side-valve engine while
benefiting from hydraulic brakes and a good level of equipment - and all this
for the princely sum of just £120 brand new!
Manufactured
on the newly designed production line at Cowley, this particular example is a
two-door Series II which was made in 1938 and differed from its predecessor
in minor detail, the painted radiator shell and Easiclean wheels being the only
significant differences. Replaced by the altogether more modern Series E only a
year later, the Series 2 had added a further 58,000 units to the Eight’s already
impressive production total, sufficient to oust the Ford Model Y from the top of
the sales chart.
This delightful
example was supplied new in Wem, Shropshire and has lived locally ever since. It
was acquired by the vendor’s late father in the 1970s. He ran a successful
garage in Shrewsbury and kept the car in nice original condition, treating it
to its first and only respray sometime in the 1990s.
He subsequently sold
it to his salesman, who sold it back to him in 2005, although by this time the
engine had seized – a problem which was soon sorted - the car has remained
in the family ever since.
Used regularly to take
the kids to school and for local trips, it developed a liking for water over the
last few years and upon inspection the block was found to be cracked. A good
replacement was sourced and fitted with the original crank and new rings and
valves – all this just 500 miles ago - just about run in.
The paintwork remains
very good and the rest of the car is in lovely original condition, particularly
the upholstery. You would struggle to find a more appealing example, this car
blending smart paintwork with originality in spades.
If a Morris
Eight of this era is on your radar - this example is well worth close
inspection.
For more
information – contact [email protected]
* All charges are subject to VAT