Morris Cars | Used Cars, Motorbikes, Vans & Other Vehicles

When we love something, we overlook all its shortcomings and its faults, and cherish it for ever no matter what other newer and better things come our way. And so it is with the British love of classic cars, whether it be just to admire them in our national Motor Museums, collect classic vintage miniatures, wile away the hours at the scores of vintage rallies held around the country, or go all the way, by owning and driving our very own piece of history.

Buying the dream
Let's be frank. If you are in the market for a classic vintage car, you are certainly not in pursuit of top performance and the latest gadgets. You are buying into an experience - looking to share in the best of vintage history, and giving into a childhood nostalgia that takes you back to the salad days of motoring. Many small businesses have sprung up across the country to cash in on our obsession - you can now rent a vintage car for your wedding, hire one for an afternoon's relaxing drive around the countryside, or even buy the experience as a gift for a loved one. But if you are looking to buy a classic vintage car, whether as a business venture or to fulfil the dream of owning one for yourself, you will certainly turn heads yet still enjoy modern day reliability with a classic from the Morris range, a car that has come to signify the very best of British.

History of Morris and their motor cars
The founder of Morris cars, William Morris, was born in 1877 in Worcester, later moving to Oxford with his family. A year after leaving school, he started his own business from home, investing just �4 in capital, making and repairing bicycles. After moving on to motor cycles, it wasn't long before he turned his hand to car manufacturing, designing his first car in recognition of his home city in 1912, calling it 'the Bull Nosed Oxford'. Currently there are only a handful of these originals left in the world. By the 1920s Morris had established a firm reputation for producing reliable, quality cars and by its heyday in the 1930s, they owned over 50% of the British market and were the nation's biggest car manufacturer.

Everybody over the age of 35 remembers the Morris Minor, the most famous of the Morris line ever to grace our roads. Made available in Traveller, saloon, convertible and light van variants, it was the star attraction when it was launched at the Earls Court motor show in 1948. Considered to be pioneering in the design of its day, it went on to experience several enhancements in the 1950s and 1960s. Its performance was first improved by a new gearbox and a 948cc version of the old A-Series engine, as well as some bodywork and design improvements. The 1098cc engine was a later addition, along with a two-spoke steering wheel and new switchgear, and the old 'pull-start' button was also upgraded to a combined starter/ignition switch.

Anyone investing in a Morris Minor today will be pleasantly surprised to hear that they are still reliable, nimble and easy to drive and park. For those that love to tinker under the bonnet, parts are easy to find and the engine is easy to work with, and you might want to consider replacing the original cross ply tyres with radials for improved handling. When checking out the vehicle, look out for rust in the doors, sills and on the lower edge of the wings and guards. Bear in mind that top speed will only be around 65mph although adding a larger SU carburettor will improve performance in general. As long as the vehicle is serviced regularly it will prove a comfortable, economical ride for years to come.

The Morris Oxford made its debut around the same time as the Minor, and in India, where recent independence was being celebrated, it was used as the model for the famous state-produced Ambassador automobile, India's very first car. Its saloon and traveller variants were manufactured up until 1954, and it was very much targeted towards the family, with its completely new design of four door body which went on to be adopted into other models, as well as its new side-valve four cylinder engine, the column gear change and the Minor style torsion bar suspension.

Another of Morris's earlier vehicles introduced back in the early 1930s was the Eight, produced in three series and in a variety of models. The series E in particular, displayed at Earls Court in 1938, introduced some enhancements not only to give it a more modern body style but also to power its performance with a four speed gearbox with synchromesh, a USHM engine with a new cylinder head and a modified crankshaft fitted with shell type bearings. Very closely resembling what we know today as an old-fashioned black cab, this amusing classic was so avant-garde in its day that its appeal lasted until well after the war.

After Lord Nuffield
The early 1950s formed a milestone for Morris when they merged with competitor Austin to form the British Motor Corporation, most famous for the production of the classic Mini. William Morris, or Lord Nuffield as he was known by then, who will always be remembered as the generous industrialist who shared as much of his wealth with charities as he earned himself, and who brought modern motoring within reach of the ordinary family man, passed away in 1963. Five years later the brand became established within British Leyland, but Morris as a brand continued until well into the 1980s, with the introduction of the final model in the Morris legacy, the Ital. Another great reliable car that costs very little to run, the engine is again easy to work with and replace, and the straightforward mechanics and low price are major advantages for anyone wanting a taste of no nonsense low cost motoring from a classic era.

When it comes to taking the plunge and buying your little dream machine, all the usual advice applies. Assume from the outset that you will not be buying a great performer by any stretch of the imagination, but be reassured that as long as the car has been well-maintained and cherished by its owner, it will be a reliable little motor. Be extra vigilant when checking the bodywork for rust and ensure that everything under the bonnet looks hunky-dory. Take it for a spin and if you like what you feel, then by all means follow your heart and share in a little of the best of British history.