Here’s a curious little barn find, a 1937 Morris Eight Series I. I don’t believe that I have encountered one before and the seller claims that it is a rare two-seat model. Having traveled from England to Australia to Hawaii and then the mainland, this Morris currently calls Shreveport, Louisiana home. And if you are interested in this find, courtesy of T.J., it’s available, here on craigslist for $11,000.
The Morris Eight was produced from 1935 into 1948 with the Series I version, such as our subject car, occupying the years between ’35 and ’37 and realizing a production volume of over 160K copies. Body styles included two and four-door sedans, a cabriolet, and an open tourer. There was also a panel van available too. These are small cars, about twelve feet in length and weighing around 1,700 lbs.
Speaking of that around-the-world tour, the seller says that this Morris has been off the road for half a century with its displayed safety sticker dating to 1969 in Hawaii. He further adds, “The original sheet metal is straight and rust-free, body lines are straight, and the doors close nicely. There is no evidence of previous body damage or repairs. It appears to have one repaint over the original paint“. The front and rear bumpers are unattached but included in the sale – beyond that, it looks like a pretty complete car. It is suggested, “She is not mint, but she still looks very good for her age…”
One thing’s for sure, you probably can’t get in too much trouble with a 23.5 HP, 918 CC in-line, four-cylinder engine! This one’s a non-runner but it does turn over. The seller claims that it’s good, when running, for 40 MPG with a top speed of 58 MPH. Gear changing occurs via a three-speed manual transmission.
The interior really isn’t photographed other than this one image of the area behind the seats. The seller thinks that the seats have been reupholstered but again, offers no visual clues. The instrument panel looks fine, the gauges are clear and all of the switchgear is in place. The missing door panels will be included.
It’s said that this car will provide a lot of fun for its next owner and I can see that. It’s obviously not going to be fast but it most definitely has a “primitive cool” vibe about itself. The seller’s ask is $11,000 but the price sounds negotiable and that’s good to know as it seems a bit rich. At least that’s my take, what’s yours?
But how does it run for it’s age?
I had one – my first car!Everyone had a Morris 8 in the 60’s.Great fun,sold it for £30 in 1967.Saw a LHD one in Portugal a few years ago.Don’t think it will do 58MPH though – mine didn’t.Flathead 4 cylinder,6V electrics but hydraulic brakes,which Ford did not have.
Looks like a fun little buggy, and in pretty good shape. 58 mph might be achieved with the top back and the windshield folded flat (and possibly a tailwind).
Screen doesn’t fold.
My second car was a 1939 Morris Eight convertible, the first British family mans car with faired in headlights. It definitely wouldn’t do 58 mph. I managed to turn it over by drifting it from a gravel road onto a tarmac road as there was a 4″ difference in road levels. It only rolled onto it’s side so I managed to push it back onto it’s wheels and drive it home. Biggest problem is that when it was on it’s side all the oil ran out onto the road, and it being night time I never noticed it and by the time I arrived home, about 2 miles away, the engine was making expensive noises which was fixed with a £10 replacement engine from a local scrap yard! (The car in the picture is not mine, I am just using it to show what my car looked like) It also was the forerunner to the MG TD I believe.
Just for the record, definitely not the “forerunner to the MG TD”
The TD was a further iteration of the “T-Midget” MG’s, its predecessor being the TC. Altogether a different chassis (and engine) from the Morris Eight series.
It was the Morris 10 (M series) that spawned the mechanicals for the T series and Y Types. XPAG motors were the same casting, just bored to 1250. Back when I was a lad, the local mechanic had much sport with me, supplying Morris 10 bits for suspension and brakes.
These things are wild on cornering. On a straight run they aren’t the fastest thing on the road, but on a twisty mountain road these cars are fantastic in their cornering ability.
RH drive I presume?
There’s the remains of one on a hill farm near Ben Nevis…
I have one… regular driver. great little car. The screen does fold.
Will it do 58 mph?
If it were to go over the edge of Pikes Peak, maybe!
I don’t understand the top speed limit. My square-bodied Model A would do 50 and this car is streamlined. Is it the gearing in the rear end?