Lot Ended
Description
From a deceased estate; single-family owned for 80
years; unfinished restoration with most of the hard work done;
thousands spent; huge history file; original number plate; wonderful project for
someone
Launched in 1934, the Morris
Eight 5cwt Light Van was mechanically identical to the hugely successful saloon
car version, with the same 918cc engine, three-speed gearbox and Lockheed
hydraulic brakes. The front end was the same as the car but the rear bodywork
was made from ‘Plymax’ (plywood panels with a thin skin of metal which were
light and resistant to ‘drumming’) fixed over an ash frame with a fabric roof
and two rear doors. Whereas the car had 17” wire wheels, the van’s were 18”.
Supplied new by Barnes Motor Works of Dauntsey, Wiltshire, in
November 1937, this 5cwt van was bought new by a poultry farmer, Mrs ME Cooper
of Swindon, and was in regular use as a delivery vehicle until 1964 when it was
parked up in a nice dry garage where it was to remain for the next 53
years.
In 2017 it was
acquired from the Cooper family by the current owner who embarked on a
total body-off restoration which was to continue until 2023 when he sadly passed
away before the work was completed.
A vast file of invoices,
photos and correspondence document all the work carried out in meticulous
detail, with many thousands spent. The bare chassis was shotblasted,
rust-proofed and painted in gloss black. The ash frame was restored and new body
panels were made as required.
It seems that all mechanical
aspects were restored with many new parts: engine; gearbox; axles; brakes;
steering; suspension, new Bell mild steel exhaust system etc. A new wiring loom
was fitted and many new electrical components were acquired: lights, indicators,
dynamo etc. The wheels were rebuilt by MWS and fitted with a new set of tyres.
The steering wheel was also refurbished and it seems that the
dash instruments have also been restored.
We haven’t fully
unpacked the vehicle, or gone through all the boxes of parts that came with it,
so we aren’t sure if it is 100% complete. We also haven't studied every single
invoice and the vast amount of notes made by the owner so we aren't sure
precisely what has and hasn't been done – bidders are advised to come and
inspect the vehicle and the paperwork for themselves.
Aside from the restoration invoices and photos, other documentation
includes the V5C; original buff logbook; original 12-month Guarantee
certificate; original handbooks and lubrication chart; sundry historic
maintenance invoices and tax discs plus a detailed log of every journey made in
the van for the first two years of its life.
On offer here from
a deceased estate, it comes from the same stable as the Morris Eight Tourer, the
two Douglas motorcycles, the Auto-Wheel and the Royal Enfield elsewhere in this
catalogue (Lots 45; 201; 207; 208; 209), all being sold at no reserve.
Retaining its original Wiltshire-issue number plate, BAM 667 (which
is transferable according to the V5C), this rare and well-historied Morris Van
now needs an enthusiastic new owner who can finish it off and get it back on the
road where it belongs.
Do it to the same high standard as the current
owner has, and it could end up as the finest example of the tiny handful that
still survive...
Consigned
by James Dennison – 07970 309907 – james.dennison@brightwells.com