Morris 8 Series E

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The first small Morris arrived in 1928 in a bid to take a slice of the market for small cars which had exploded since the arrival of the Austin Seven.

The original, aptly named the Morris Minor, used a Wolseley inspired ohc 847cc engine. This gave way to a larger, simpler side-valve affair in the early 1930s, which broadly coincided with the change of name to the Morris Eight, the car getting heavier and more sophisticated as the decade wore on.

By 1938, the Morris Eight Series III was relaunched as the Series E, now with radically altered front end styling more in tune with the glamorous Art Deco mood of the time. Gone was the rather staid and frumpy upright grille to be replaced by a swoopy chrome 'waterfall' instead, flanked by Lucas 'bug-eye' headlamps that gave the car a cheeky and appealing face. Gone too were the old-fashioned running boards and there was a proper opening boot to the rear. 

It still had the same separate chassis underneath, but the 918cc engine received a revised cylinder head that pushed power up to 29bhp and the crankshaft was counterbalanced and fitted with shell type bearings. The gearbox also gained another cog to allow a comfortable 50mph cruise in fourth. Production continued throughout the war for military, essential civilian use and some export markets and didn't finally come to an end until 1948 when the all new Issigonis designed Minor made its debut.

This 1939 model was purchased by the vendor from his neighbour last year. He has undertaken a number of jobs, including a major brake overhaul which included new brake cylinders, brake shoes, a new mastercylinder as well as recently fitting a fresh 6-volt battery. There are photographs on file of an older bodywork refurbishment and it has clearly had a new headlining in the recent past. The interior is pleasantly original, the correct Bakelite fittings remaining in good order.

In need of a set of carpets to complete the job, its sunroof and opening windscreen function well and it ran very sweetly when maneuvering for the photographs.

Fun to own and capable of buzzing along at modern A and B road speeds, this charming late model Series E looks excellent value at the modest guide price suggested.