Morris: Eight
Note: This is a sub-section of Morris: Cars
Made 1935-47 with Series II in 1958
Series II has painted surround to radiator grill rather trhan chromed.
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.
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 wheelbase. The tourer could reach 58 mph and return 45 miles per imperial gallon, 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. For buyers of complete cars prices ranged from £118 for the basic two seat tourer to £142 for the four door saloon with "sunshine" roof and leather seats. Bumpers and indicators were £2-10s extra.
Compared with the similarly priced, but much lighter and by now longer established Austin 7, the 1934/35 Morris Eight was well equipped. The driver confronted a full set of instruments including a speedometer with a built in odometer, oil pressure and fuel level gauges and an ammeter.
The more modern design of the Morris was reflected in the superior performance of its hydraulically operated 8 inch drum brakes. The Morris also scored over its Ford rival by incorporating an electric windscreen wiper rather than the more old fashioned vacuum powered equivalent, while its relatively wide 45 inch track aided directional stability on corners.
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.
See Also
Sources of Information
- [1] Wikipedia