Morris 8 2 Door Saloon 1937 sold for £5,512 at our April 25th Classic Car Auction
Lot 33
This great British pre war car is powered by 918cc engine, producing 23.5 BHP. 3 speed box, hydraulic brakes. Top speed just under 60mph, but would do over 40mpg. This example is top of the range. Sun roof, leather, etc. She comes with a good history file and lots of additional materials.
Condition: 2 Estimated sale price: £4,500 – £5,500
Sold for £5,512.
View the entries in our upcoming classic car auction.
Additional information on the Morris 8 make
“The Morris Eight is a small car which was 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.
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 synchromeshon 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. 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 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. 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. 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.”
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