The humble side-valve engine from the Morris Eight didn't retire quietly — it went on to power Centurion, Conqueror and Chieftain battle tanks as an auxiliary unit.
Lead trim: Eight Series E 918 cc side-valve four (29 bhp)
Morris Eight Series E1938–1948
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Nobody in Burbles has spotted a Morris Eight Series E yet. See one on the street, point the app at it, and the first card is yours — with your @handle permanently credited on this page.
FactThe humble side-valve engine from the Morris Eight didn't retire quietly — it went on to power Centurion, Conqueror and Chieftain battle tanks as an auxiliary unit.
The Series E, announced in October 1938 (120,434 produced), brought a major restyle with a "waterfall" dummy grille, headlights in the wings and no running boards; the car was longer, wider and heavier though the wheelbase was actually 1 inch shorter, with an "inbuilt luggage compartment with external access" of close on 5¼ cubic feet. The engine was upgraded to the Morris USHM series, still side-valve but with a new cylinder head, 29 bhp, a counterbalanced crankshaft with shell-type bearings, and a four-speed gearbox with synchromesh on second, third and top; top speed was around 58 mph. The engine went on, with very minor changes, to the Series MM Morris Minor to 1953 and was adapted as an auxiliary power unit in Centurion, Conqueror and Chieftain tanks. Production continued through the war for the military, essential civilian use and some export, and post-war general production restarted in 1945 with no more tourers made in the UK (Australian bodybuilders continued to make them). A 5 cwt van version, the Series Z, was produced from 1940 to 1953 (over 51,000).
Collectors Spotted in the Morris Eight Lineage
No member has published a public street spot of the Morris Eight yet — the First · Worldwide stamp is wide open.
Trims & Figures
One published trim in the catalogue. A blank is a figure not recorded, not zero.
| Trim | Years | Engine | Power | Torque | 0–60 | Drive | Gearbox | MSRP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Eight Series E 918 cc side-valve four (29 bhp) | 1938–1948 | 0.9 L Inline-4 | 29 hp | — | — | — | — | — |
Owning one
We don’t estimate running costs for a car like this. What it costs depends on its condition, its specialist and how it is driven, and an average would mislead.
Owners’ builds
Nobody has claimed one yet.
Photographs
The humble side-valve engine from the Morris Eight didn't retire quietly — it went on to power Centurion, Conqueror and Chieftain battle tanks as an auxiliary unit.
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Rivals
Same body, same money, other badges — tap any card to flip.
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