Morris Eight

Morris Eight
2-door saloon
Overview
Manufacturer	Morris
Production	1935–1948
Body and chassis
Class	Small family car (C)
Layout	Front-engine, rear-wheel-drive
Chronology
Predecessor	Morris Minor (1928)
Successor	Morris Minor MM

Morris Eight
4-door 6-light saloon first registered June 1935
Overview
Also called	Morris 8/40 (Australia)
Production	1935–1937 164,102 produced
Assembly	United Kingdom Australia
Body and chassis
Body style	2-door saloon 4-door saloon 2-door cabriolet 2-door tourer 5 cwt van
Powertrain
Engine	918 cc Morris Type UB Sidevalve Straight-4
Transmission	3-speed manual
Dimensions
Wheelbase	90 in (2,286 mm) 81 in (2,057 mm) (swb tourer)
Width	54.5 in (1,384 mm)
Height	60 in (1,524 mm)

Morris Eight series II
2-door saloon and siblings in New Zealand
Overview
Also called	Morris 8/40 (Australia)
Production	1938 54,000 produced
Assembly	United Kingdom Australia
Body and chassis
Body style	2-door saloon 4-door saloon 2-door cabriolet 2-door tourer
Powertrain
Engine	918 cc Morris Type UB Side-valve Straight-4
Dimensions
Wheelbase	90 in (2286 mm)

Morris Eight Series E
Series E 4-door saloon
Overview
Also called	Morris 8/40 (Australia)
Production	1938–1948 120,434 produced
Assembly	United Kingdom Australia
Body and chassis
Body style	2-door saloon, fixed or sliding head 4-door saloon, fixed or sliding head 2-door cabriolet 2-door tourer 2-door roadster utility 2-door coupe utility 2-door panel van
Powertrain
Engine	918 cc Morris Type USHM Sidevalve engine Straight-4
Dimensions
Wheelbase	89 in (2261 mm)
Length	144 in (3658 mm)

Morris Series Z
Morris Series Z Van
Overview
Production	1940–1954 Over 51,000 produced
Assembly	United Kingdom Australia
Body and chassis
Body style	2-door van 2-door coupé utility (Australia)

The Morris Eight is a small family 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 synchromesh on 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-seater 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.