Registration - DNN 543

Chassis - S1/E/152922

M.O.T. - Exempt

Odometer - 94,784

Morris 8s are rare visitors to the auctions these days, and it’s certainly a long time since we’ve seen one in this condition. It was first registered in July 1937 and decades later has been the subject of a comprehensive restoration that was started in the 1980s by a previous owner and recently completed by the vendor. The engine was apparently rebuilt at the outset but has covered very few miles since. Within the last two years the body was removed, the chassis treated to some minor welding, the car repainted in the more appealing combination of black over green, the interior completely retrimmed, and new tyres fitted all round. The work included an overhaul of the braking system, but the vendor is keen for us to point out that the rear shoes currently have a tendency to bind, while the front linings apparently need matching (spare linings are included in the lot). The car has been refurbished to original specification, the only exception being the very sensible addition of flashing indicators. A WW2 theme has been created by the addition of white bumpers, side stripes and headlight mask, but the latter two can apparently be readily removed if desired. The vendor presently classes the bodywork and upholstery as ‘good to excellent’ and the engine, gearbox and paintwork as ‘good’, and he is now selling ‘DNN 543’ complete with new six-volt battery, luggage rack, suitcase, period-correct jack, toolkit, tyre pump, oil can, a selection of genuine WW2 related items (suitable for re-enactments) and some spare parts, plus a history file containing receipts and photos covering the work carried out.

The Series I Morris Eight was unveiled in 1935 as a rival to Ford’s hot-selling Model Y. It was better equipped than most of its competitors and boasted electric wipers, synchromesh on its upper two gearbox ratios and Lockheed hydraulic brakes. The model was powered by a 918cc side-valve engine of 23.5bhp and ultimately produced in no less than five guises – ie two and four-door saloon, cabriolet, tourer and van. A total of 164,102 Series Is were produced all told.

In summary:

• The subject of a recently completed long-term restoration
• Notably well presented to original specification
• Comes with some genuine WW2 items suitable for re-enactments