Morris Eight Tourer Series II

One of the great automotive success stories of the Thirties and one of the best-loved pre-war cars, it is no exaggeration to say that the Eight was the car that saved Morris. Small and affordable but with room for all the family, it was far more suited to Britain's increasingly crowded roads than the larger models that had formerly underpinned the Morris 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, driving through a three-speed box with synchromesh on the top two gears. It also benefited from hydraulic brakes and a good level of equipment. And all this for the princely sum of just £120 brand new! In 1938 it received a few cosmetic tweaks (e.g. painted radiator instead of chrome and solid Easiclean wheels in place of wires) to become the Series II.

First registered in July 1938, this particular Series II two-seat tourer has been in the current ownership since 1982. About 20 years ago it was fitted with a replacement Blue Seal engine since when it has only covered around 1,500 miles. In 1992 (about 500 miles ago) it also had a fairly major overhaul when the gearbox was rebuilt and a new clutch fitted among various other jobs (see bills on file).

Said to be in good mechanical order and to drive well with a good canvas hood, it is otherwise in average condition and would benefit from some cosmetic tidying here and there. It comes with a small amount of service history, a modern V5C and an old buff log book from 1956 when it was owned by a Capt M Clarke of the Army & Navy Club, Pall Mall SW1. With an MOT until October and taxed until September, it is due to be driven some 40 miles to the sale.