Auctioneer's Notes:

A particularly charming 1939 Morris 8 Sports, finished in dark blue with contrasting black wings and a tan folding hood. The Sports was produced for only a brief period, making it an especially interesting derivative of the Morris Eight. This example presents in very good condition and, according to the Vendor, drives very nicely.

The photographs show a wonderfully traditional pre-war appearance, with sweeping separate wings, running boards, rear-mounted spare wheel and period-style steel wheels with Morris hubcaps. The simple open cockpit retains an attractive wood-effect dashboard, centrally grouped instrumentation and three-spoke steering wheel.

Maintenance & Condition:

The Vendor describes the Morris as being in very good overall condition and reports that it drives particularly well. Its manually operated convertible roof is fully functional and is said to be straightforward to raise and lower. The hood itself presents with an appropriately aged appearance which complements the character of the car.

The history includes most MOT certificates covering the period between 1999 and 2010. The vehicle is now MOT exempt due to its historic status. An invoice from 2000 records expenditure of £52 for the replacement of all wheel-cylinder pistons and springs.

History:

An interesting element of the accompanying paperwork is a faxed letter from the Morris Register detailing some of the car's known history. The Register states that the vehicle first came to the club's attention in 1981, when it was owned by a non-member, and records that it is fitted with Australian-built bodywork.

The same correspondence discusses the registration number PP 7953. According to the Morris Register, the Buckinghamshire "PP" series was originally issued between March 1923 and March 1928, leading the club to suggest that the registration may have been transferred from an earlier vehicle when this Morris was imported.

The file also contains a copy of a registration document dating from 1999, a collection of Morris Register newsletters from 2007 and 2008, the original operation manual, a Morris Register Spares Service members' price list and the seventh edition of Pitman's Motorists' Library publication The Book of the Morris Eight and the Morris Minor.

The Model:

The Series E Morris Eight was introduced in 1939 as a substantially modernised successor to the earlier Series I and II models. Power came from Morris's 918cc side-valve four-cylinder engine, coupled to a four-speed manual gearbox, while Lockheed hydraulic drum brakes provided stopping power.

The open Sports body gave the modestly powered Morris a particularly appealing sporting appearance, combining compact dimensions with four-seat open-air motoring. Its folding windscreen, manually operated hood and simple mechanical layout embody the uncomplicated character for which Britain's small pre-war cars remain so fondly regarded.

Sale Insight:

An appealing pre-war Morris distinguished by its scarce Sports body style, Australian-built coachwork and documented correspondence from the Morris Register. Its attractive dark blue and black colour combination, period details and usable manually operated hood give it considerable visual character, while the Vendor's report that it drives very nicely should make it equally attractive to someone looking for a classic to enjoy rather than simply display.

The accompanying manuals, club correspondence, newsletters and historic MOT documentation add further interest, making this a well-presented and characterful example of one of Morris's most recognisable small pre-war models.

Estimate:
£4,500-£5,500