The Morris Eight was a small car inspired by the sales popularity of the Ford Model Y. The success of the car enabled Morris to regain its position as Britain's largest motor manufacturer.
[] Morris Eight Series I
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 inch wheelbase. The tourer could reach 58 mph and return 45 mile per gallon, the saloons were a little slower. The chrome plated radiator shell and honeycomb grille were dummies disguising the real one was hidden behind. Prices ranged from £120 for the basic two seat tourer to £142 for the four door saloon with "sunshine" roof and leather seats, bumpers and indicators were £2 10 shillings extra.
The Series I designation was used from June 1935 in line with other Morris models. Of the 164,102 cars produced approximately 24,000 were tourers.
[] Morris Eight Series II
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. The engine and running gear was unchanged.
[] Morris Eight Series E
The Series E 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 shorter at 7 feet 5 inches. The "alligator" bonnet was now rear hinged making engine access poor. The engine was upgraded to the USHM type 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 29bhp was now available and the crankshaft was counterbalanced and fitted with shell type bearings. The gearbox was now four speed with the Lucas electrics remaining 6 volts, but now with automatic regulation of the Dynamo in a two brush system. 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 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 were also adapted as auxiliary power units in Centurion, Conqueror and Chieftain tanks.Morris also used this engine as the basis of special Marine and Stationary power plants.
There was a van version of the Series E rated at 5 cwt capacity and called the Z Series. It was first produced in 1940 and outlived the saloon, ceasing production in about 1953 when the engine was phased out.
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