History Page

MORRIS EIGHT 1935 SERIES I/II

The car was introduced in October1934 at the Motor Show as the 1935 model and received alot of attention and orders for its starting price of £118. After a short production run it was replaced by the Series I model about June 1935. This was produced until the Series II version was launched in August 1937 and ran until August 1938. 1935 models had fabric-disc universal joints changed later to Hardy-Spicer type and a radiator badge design incorporating the words"EIGHT" which was later changed to the Arabic"8". The Morris Eight was one of the earlier small production cars to be fitted with hydraulic brakes all round, a vast improvement to the cable brakes on previous vehicles. The engine was a 918cc side valve unit fitted with a 3 speed + reverse gearbox. These engines were so reliable they were still in use by the army during the 70's as auxillary electrical power units in Centurion tanks. Synchromesh was only fitted on 2nd & 3rd though so double de-clutching was a must. The suspension was of leaf springs all round fitted with "pear shaped" oil filled shock absorbers. A 6 volt electrical system was fitted with split charge levels from within the ignition switch, semaphore indicators were fitted in the door pillars and dual filament headlights. The instrumentation fitted consisted of fuel gauge, speedometer (changed during 35/36 from revolving drum to needle type) oil pressure gauge & charging ammeter. The fuel system consisted of an SU electrical fuel pump feedin a 7/8" SU carburetter. Many minor production changes were made including changing the solid steering wheel to a flexible rubber covered item during the Series I production. Major changes came with the introduction of the Series II when the 17" Magna wire wheels were replaced by an "Easiclean" solid type, and the previous chromium plated radiator shell was replaced with a painted shell finished to match the body colour. Throughout production the Morris Eight was available as a saloon with two or four doors, in fixed or sliding head versions.Tourer versions came in 2 and 4 door types. Tourer models and all fixed head saloon models were upholstered in "Karhyde" leathercloth whilst the "Pytchley" sliding- head version of the saloon was in real leather.