1936 Morris Eight Series 1 Tourer | Brightwells | Auction Ends: Wed 28th Oct

Restored and repainted about 5 years ago; later Series E engine and four-speed gearbox fitted for enhanced driving in modern traffic; nice transferable number of particular interest to Ferrari 599 owners

One of the great automotive success stories, it is no exaggeration to say that the Eight was the car that saved Morris, offering a properly tempting alternative to the all-conquering Austin Seven. Cheap and cheerful with lively road manners and room for all the family if one opted for the four-seater version, it was far more suited to Britain's increasingly crowded roads than the larger models that had formerly underpinned the Morris range.

Better equipped than most of its 1934 competitors, it boasted electric wipers, a three-speed box with synchromesh on the top two gears and effective Lockheed hydraulic brakes. Powered by a remarkably robust 23bhp 918cc four-cylinder side-valve engine with three-bearing crankshaft and single SU carburettor, it was good for 60mph and 40mpg.

Available as a two- or four-seat tourer and a two- or four-door saloon, it proved so successful that over 164,000 had been sold by the time it was replaced by the Series II in 1937, around 20,000 of them in open Tourer form.

First registered in Cambridgeshire in May 1936, this Two-Seater Tourer has had just four owners from new, according to the V5C, the first keeping it until 2021. From July 2021 to August 2022 it was owned by a Mr P Hinton of Devon who appears to have treated the car to a fairly substantial restoration including a full repaint, new rear lights, new wiring, new dynamo, all new brakes, new suspension components plus much else besides.

The interior has clearly been retrimmed to a good standard at some point in the not-too-distant past. The hood looks fairly new too and some side screens are also included.

Our vendor acquired the car in August 2022 and has improved it still further. This includes removing the original 23bhp UB engine and 3-speed gearbox and fitting a reconditioned 29bhp Series E USHM engine and 4-speed gearbox. The engine cost £750 and the gearbox £100 with another £3,036 spent on getting them professionally installed in June 2023 by Creed and Shore Motorworks of Whitchurch.

The steering box was also overhauled in October 2022 by early MG specialist Andy King of Melton Mowbray at a cost of £400. There are also invoices for a new exhaust, various new hoses, ignition parts etc, all adding up to a sensible package of upgrades that should improve usability on modern roads.

The vendor advises that the car has covered very few miles since the reconditioned engine was fitted, so the cylinder head bolts should be checked and tightened after each run as part of the bedding-in process for the next 500 miles.

He also advises that, as a consequence of fitting the later four-speed gearbox, the speedometer no longer indicates the correct road speed (at 30mph it reads 50mph and at 40mph it reads 60mph). He was intending to fit a digital speedo and a suitable connection for this is fitted next to the steering column.

The Morris has been starting readily on the button during its time with us for photography and video purposes, with healthy oil pressure. It also comes with an agreed insurance valuation for £12,000 dated August 2023.

As you can see in the photos, this subtly uprated Series 1 two-seater is in great shape for a 90-year-old and is on offer here at a fraction of the costs lavished upon it by the last two owners. The icing on the cake is the original BER 599 number plate, which is transferable according to the V5C and would no doubt have enormous appeal to a Ferrari 599 owner…

Consigned by James Dennison – 07970 309907 – james.dennison@brightwells.com