1935 Morris Eight

Description

Top of the range Pre-Series Eight saloon, four door, sunroof, luggage rack, leather seats, two tone green and black.
Genuine low mileage, in use only from 1935 -58, then in dry storage until 2021. A true prewar time capsule.

Dispatched to dealer from the Cowley factory on 4th April 1935, and immediately sold in North London as "CML 277". Clearly well looked after when it was bought by a Mr A. J. Huber of Potters Bar in 1958, he began a mechanical renovation but lost interest. For 30 years his widow never opened the garage doors, until she required the property to be cleared in 2021. I bought it, and realised that this is a 'reference' car, so original that 'restoration' would spoil it. I completed a mechanical restoration in 2024, but otherwise the car has been sympathetically 'conserved'. It has since covered 300 trouble free miles, the rebuilt engine still running in.

The DVLA refused to reissue CML 277 as the logbook had been lost by the Hubers, so it now wears the age-related "WXS 670".

Engine totally rebuilt. New clutch. Gearbox reconditioned. New propshaft and diff. Radiator recored. New exhaust system. New battery. Four new tyres. New kingpins. Replacement petrol tank. Four new hub caps. Bumpers rechromed. All new brake hydraulics and linings. Too much to be listed here. Whenever possible I have used NOS parts.

Lights and all electrics have been gone through. Headlamp reflectors have been resilvered. The trafficators have been fitted with flashing LED bulbs, which modern drivers do notice.

Apart from the expected blemishes from 66 years storage there is no rust anywhere on the body or chassis. It has never needed any welding. See photos of the underside. The running boards are rust free and retain their original rubber coverings. The engine bay is 100% correct - even the hose clamps are the prewar originals. The toolbox and firewall carry the correct tools (jack, wheel brace, starting handle, etc).

The two tone cellulose paintwork is in 'oily rag' condition, but after 90 years it is perfectly good enough to keep, and should be kept. It retains the hand applied coach lines. The wings could be repainted in situ without compromising the overall finish.

Considering the hard life led by most Eights, the interior is exceptional and unmolested. The unworn condition of the kick panels and driver's seat confirms that the low mileage is correct. It's all April 1935 - headlining, furflex, sliding head, sun visor, ashtray, driving mirror, rear roller blind, glovebox felt linings, green moquette, brown instrument panel/ window sills, celluloid covered steering wheel, door cards, and green leather, if not factory-fresh, certainly as good as any 90 year old has the right to appear. Only the original carpets were too far gone, so I have made exact replicas (the original carpet goes with the sale).

"WXS 670", having emerged blinking into the daylight after 66 years, is now 'on the button' and ready for a new lease of life with an appreciative new custodian. The history file includes the factory build record, the 1945 selling dealer's badges, tax discs to 1958, a 2021 magazine feature, bills, CML 277 number plates, and a 1935 Operation Manual.

While barn finds/ garage finds still turn up, it must be rare if not unique to find this degree of originality combined with genuine low mileage. If you can find another like this for sale, I'll match the price!
I am only selling because I have run out of storage. Spares available separately. Having owned Morris Eights since 1968, I'll be happy to assist any new owner with 'after sales' information and advice (if asked!). Any inspection and demo drive. Email for further photos and condition reports.
UK mainland delivery can be arranged if necessary.