In Brief:

• A wonderful 1949 Morris Z3 Light Van
• A genuine slice of British history, in barn-find condition
• Finished in green, with surviving period signwriting from the first owner
• Only two registered keepers since new
• Unusually strong local provenance and supporting history

Auctioneer's Notes:

A wonderfully evocative 1949 Morris Z3 Light Van, offered in genuine barn-find condition as part of a bereavement sale. Particularly appealing is the surviving period signwriting for Wilfrid Snook's Radio Battery Service, with the doors advertising premises in South Street and Trinity Street, Dorchester, while the rear also references Dorchester, Weymouth and Bridport. This commercial identity is supported by an unusually interesting collection of original period paperwork.

Maintenance & Condition:

The Morris is presented in barn-find condition, with extensive age-related deterioration, corrosion and weathering evident throughout. Importantly, its faded paintwork and original commercial signwriting remain visible, giving the van considerable period character. It should be regarded as a restoration or preservation project requiring thorough mechanical and structural assessment before any attempt is made to return it to the road.

History:

The accompanying documentation provides a fascinating link with the van's working life. An original warranty document records its sale to Mr Wilfrid Snook in May 1949, while a later green registration document records the Vendor's late husband as keeper from 1978; the surviving paperwork appears to show no other keeper between the two. 

Most notably, the original driver's log-book survives with every page completed, recording journeys between 1949 and 1957 which appear to relate to Mr Snook's work with his radio and electrical services business. An original operating manual and a small period promotional leaflet for Bush televisions and radios are also included.

The Model:

The Morris Series Z was a 5-cwt light commercial van developed from the Morris Eight and became a familiar working vehicle in post-war Britain. Powered by a 918cc side-valve four-cylinder engine and equipped with a three-speed manual gearbox, it was designed as a simple and economical vehicle for tradesmen, delivery work and public-service fleets. Its compact proportions and traditional separate-chassis construction made it particularly well suited to local commercial use.

Sale Insight:

Far more than simply a barn-find commercial vehicle, this Morris retains a particularly compelling documented working identity. The combination of original signwriting, early warranty paperwork, the extensively completed driver's log-book and associated period material provides a tangible record of its use by Wilfrid Snook's Radio Battery Service. For a collector seeking a restoration project with genuine local provenance and an unusually strong connection to its first working life, it offers considerable interest.

*Buyer will need to apply for a new V5*

Estimate:
No Reserve