Description

1938 Morris Eight Series II Saloon

Lovely original example with a recent full engine overhaul; superb interior; local car since new

Morris's great Thirties success and one of Britain's best-loved pre-war cars, it is no exaggeration to say that the Eight was the car that saved the company.

It was an affordable family car, better suited to the now busy English roads than the larger models in the range. So successful was it that within three years of its introduction in September 1934, over 160,000 had been sold.
Available as a two- or four-seat tourer and a two- or four-door saloon, the Eight was capable of 60mph and 40mpg from its 23.5bhp 918cc side-valve engine while benefiting from hydraulic brakes and a good level of equipment - and all this for the princely sum of just £120 brand new! Manufactured on the newly designed production line at Cowley, this particular example is a two-door Series II which was made in 1938 and differed from its predecessor in minor detail, the painted radiator shell and Easiclean wheels being the only significant differences. Replaced by the altogether more modern Series E only a year later, the Series 2 had added a further 58,000 units to the Eight’s already impressive production total, sufficient to oust the Ford Model Y from the top of the sales chart.
  This delightful example was supplied new in Wem, Shropshire and has lived locally ever since. It was acquired by the vendor’s late father in the 1970s. He ran a successful garage in Shrewsbury and kept the car in nice original condition, treating it to its first and only respray sometime in the 1990s.
  He subsequently sold it to his salesman, who sold it back to him in 2005, although by this time the engine had seized – a problem which was soon sorted - the car has remained in the family ever since.
  Used regularly to take the kids to school and for local trips, it developed a liking for water over the last few years and upon inspection the block was found to be cracked. A good replacement was sourced and fitted with the original crank and new rings and valves – all this just 500 miles ago - just about run in.
  The paintwork remains very good and the rest of the car is in lovely original condition, particularly the upholstery. You would struggle to find a more appealing example, this car blending smart paintwork with originality in spades.


If a Morris Eight of this era is on your radar - this example is well worth close inspection.

  For more information – contact matthew.parkin@brightwells.com