1931 Morris Family Eight Saloon

Lot details
Registration No: MU 3842
Chassis No: 35556
Mot Expiry: Oct 2018

- Part of the Old Hall collection since December 2011

- Supplied new via the main London Morris distributor Stewart & Arden Ltd

- One of just twenty-three known survivors and pleasingly retains its original 847cc OHC engine

Introduced in August 1931, the Family Eight was the last model to utilise Morris's sophisticated, WW1 aero-engine inspired 847cc overhead camshaft engine. Based on a stretched wheelbase version of its Minor sibling's chassis (up from 6ft 6in to 7ft 7in), the newcomer also boasted a rear-mounted fuel tank, safety glass and hydraulic brakes. Faced with a marginal per unit profit margin and instances of oil leaking down the drive shaft from the camshaft bevel into the dynamo (a non-issue these days thanks to modern `O' rings), Morris dropped the Family Eight Saloon and Eight Sports Coupe after a single season during which they had accounted for just 4,488 sales.

According to a letter on file from the Morris Register dated 17th November 1988 to then owner J. Thompson Esq of Huddersfield, `MU 3842' was one of only twenty-three Family Eight Saloons known to have survived. The same missive states: `The registration number series "MU" were specifically allocated by Middlesex to the main London Morris distributors, Stewart & Arden Ltd'. Still bearing a supplier's plaque for South London Motors Ltd, an accompanying continuation logbook suggests that the four-seater belonged to George Mileham Esq. of Mablethorpe, Lincs by 1935 and Ivan Pickering Esq. of Melton Mowbray, Leics some thirty-three years later. Subsequently owned by R.C. Schofield Esq. of Aldwark and S.E. Schofield Esq. of Thirsk, the Morris has formed part of the Old Hall collection since December 2011. Pleasingly powered by its factory-fitted OHC powerplant, the Family Eight also appears to retain much of its original Green leather upholstery. Starting readily during our recent photography session (October 2017), `MU 3842' benefits from a new fuel pump and fresh MOT certificate. Showing an unwarranted 38,250 miles to its odometer, this delightful Family Eight comes with a period Operation Manual and sundry paperwork.