Description
A pretty Morris with a lovely story. A Bristol-based car all it`s life, this little Eight has been owned for the past 40 years by the same gentleman and comes with a large history file documenting an older restoration and subsequent maintenance over this period. With around 20, 000 miles covered since 1984, this is a car that has been used and enjoyed and is deserving of a new loving home to continue its adventures. With fabulous patina, these Series E Saloons make for fantastic starter classics and are somewhat rarer to the comparably priced Morris Minor.
Introduced in 1935, the Morris Eight was a small family car powered by a Morris UB series 918cc engine and available initially as either a 2 or 4-door saloon or open tourer. Better equipped that it`s main competitor, the Austin 7, the Eight came with hydraulic drum brakes, electric windscreen wiper and full set of drivers` instruments including a speedometer, oil pressure and fuel level gauge. All very modern at the time! After a slight restyle in early 1938, the biggest change came in October that year with a major restyle featuring a “waterfall” dummy grille with headlights incorporated into the wings. The Series E, as it was known, was born. As a car it was longer, wider and heavier than its predecessor and benefitted from a luggage compartment with “external access”. Mechanically, it was upgraded to the Morris USHM series of the same engine capacity but with a revised cylinder head was capable of producing 29BHP enabling a top speed of 58MPH.
Our car was first registered in Bristol in March 1947 and according to the Heritage Certificate (supplied) was a Home Market car, in Black with Brown trim and came with a sliding sunroof. As a sunroof model, trim was leather rather than Karhyde as seen on the fixed head examples. Early history is scarce but by the mid-1960`s the Morris was living in Monpelier, Bristol before ultimately being acquired by a gentleman in Jersey Avenue, St. Annes, Bristol in May 1984 for the princely sum of £200. Evidently a restoration project, our new owner enlisted the help of local motor engineers, Saunders and Ralph of Hambrook, to undertake a full engine rebuild to include a rebore and new pistons, fit new kingpins and starter gear. Ignition parts were changed, a new exhaust fitted, wheels shot-blasted and tyres replaced. The interior then became the focus with replacement of the headlining and all new door trims. By 1988, the car was now back on the road, with an MoT inspection in April that year with a recorded mileage of 77, 688. Shortly afterwards, the Morris was repainted with the owner adopting a classic two-tone scheme of Damask Red over Black, typical of colour schemes available towards the end of production in 1948. Through the 1990`s, the little car was evidently used and enjoyed regularly with annual MoT inspections suggesting around 1000-1500 miles each year and bills from this period reflecting regular maintenance. A similar story continued until around 10 years ago albeit annual inspections showing less annual mileage with the last MoT being undertaken in July 2012 at 97, 786 miles. Mileage today is just 98, 970. After 40 years of ownership, our Bristolian has reluctantly decided to hang up the keys and with some sadness, made the decision to sell the car. Since acquiring it, we have done very little but polish and enjoy it.
The Morris presents just as can be seen in the photographs. Whilst evidently an older restoration, bodywork is very good and paintwork cleans up well with a deep lustre to all panels. Just a few age-related blemishes and minor pitting to chrome-work giveaway the fact that the work was undertaken some 30 years ago. The inside is much the same story with fabulous and very original brown leather seats, excellent door-cards and very tidy headlining with sliding sunroof. Turn the key, pull the starter and the diminutive 918cc fires immediately into life settling down quickly off-choke to a gentle burble. On the road, the Morris is delightful. Positive gearchanges, a light clutch and eager acceleration encourage steady progress, the car happy to cruise at 35-40MPH without drama. On a hot August afternoon, I took the Morris for a trip across the West Dorset Downs and thoroughly enjoyed every minute. Speed isn`t the point here - it`s all about returning to those early post-war years in a little car that helped to get Britain back on the road again. Utterly charming with great character, this is a car that could easily be enjoyed as a family classic or taken to a local show on a Sunday afternoon.
The Morris comes with substantial history including the original Green Logbook from the 1960`s in Montpelier, Bristol, the original purchase receipt when acquired in 1984, extensive bills and receipts from 1984 to the present day for restoration and maintenance work, every MoT Certificate from 1988 to 2012, a Heritage Certificate, an original Sales Brochure from August 1945 and original Service Manual. The car is naturally both MoT and road tax exempt.
A wonderful little car with lovely provenance.
Shore Classics is based on the West Dorset coast within easy proximity of both Weymouth and the County town of Dorchester. As classic and vintage dealers, we offer full brokerage facilities. So if you require some help and guidance with selling your classic car or motorcycle, just give us a call today.
