1930 Morris Snubnose Light Van

Lot details
Registration No: UR 7371
Chassis No: 340821
Mot Expiry: None

Established in 1924, when William Morris bought the assets, premises and name of his former axle supplier E.G. Wrigley & Company, Morris Commercial Cars were soon producing a wide range of light vans and lorries some of which were based on the 'Bullnose' car chassis. Prized for their durability and reliability, the resultant Snubnose (or Squashed-Nose) Morris light commercials boasted a similar chassis design to their car siblings. Equipped with all round leaf-sprung suspension and four-wheel drum brakes, they were powered by the same torquey four-cylinder sidevalve engines mated to three-speed manual transmission. A scarce sight today, they are nonetheless fondly remembered and remain among the most desirable of all British-built light commercials.
Finished in maroon over black with black rexine upholstery, this particular example is unusually thought to retain its original van bodywork. Said to have been "owned for many years by the 'Ashcroft Hotel' Bishopthorpe Road, York until discovered by Stewart Skilbeck in 2000", it is believed but not warranted to have covered just 33,270 miles from new. Last on the road in 2001 and kept in dry storage since, it will want some re-commissioning but is otherwise described by the vendor as being in good overall condition. With so comparatively few survivors, Snubnoses very rarely come up for sale.