Morris 10/4

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Morris Motors were the leading car manufacturer in Great Britain at the start of the 1930s and the 10hp class was one of the most hotly contested. Morris introduced their 10hp model in 1933 and sold over 49,000 in the first two years – an impressive figure at the time. The car was conventional and well constructed: 1,292cc four-cylinder side-valve producing 24bhp (27bhp from 1934) four-speed gearbox (with synchromesh from 1934), ladder chassis. and hydraulic brakes.

This 1934 10/4 found the car in a barn in Kent six years ago. It is thought that it had not turned a wheel in the previous 28 years and its last MOT and tax disc – dated 1985 – are in the car’s history file along with its V5C, buff logbooks, manuals and before and after photos.

Our vendor set about putting the car back into good useable condition and there are bills for around £6,000 for parts and labour from the specialist companies who helped him in his work. Bradbury Engineering, of Market Drayton, carried out an engine rebuild (including crankshaft regrind) in 2016 at a cost of £3,120. The car also had a new clutch fitted at that time. The electrics were attended to by a former Lucas employee.

The five wheels were powder-coated and fitted with new hubcaps and new tyres and much of the bright-work was re-chromed. The interior had remained in good order and, apart from some chrome (which was re-plated) only the carpets were replaced. The paint was attended to as necessary and although there is a two-tone effect in places it does not detract from what is, in fact, a lovely old car.

NJ 2249 now reflects the untold hours of work our vendor put into it and is now a very smart and useable post-vintage car which is ready for its next owner. Our vendor is only selling the car as he is so busy with his other pre-war cars (lucky man) that he does not have the time to use it.