Morris Major (1931 to 1933)
The Morris Major is an automobile produced by Morris Motors in the United Kingdom from late 1930 until 1933.[2] It was described by commentators as a Morris Oxford Six with a coachbuilt saloon body.[2] 4025 examples of the 1931 model were produced followed by 14,469 of the 1932-33 model.[1]
| Morris Major | |
|---|---|
 1931 Morris Major 6-light saloon | |
| Overview | |
| Manufacturer | Morris Motors |
| Also called | new |
| Production | 1930 to 1933[1] |
| Assembly | United Kingdom |
| Body and chassis | |
| Body style | 4 door saloon[2] 2 door coupe[2] 4 door tourer[2] |
| Layout | FR layout[1] |
| Powertrain | |
| Engine | 63.5 x 102 mm 14.9 hp 1938cc 6 cylinder[1] reduced for 1932 to 61.25 x 102 mm 13.9hp 6 cylinder[3] |
| Chronology | |
| Predecessor | Morris Oxford Six |
| Successor | Morris Cowley Six |
15 horsepower
Announced 30 August 1930 this new car was offered in two types of saloon and a coupé.[4]
- Range:
- Salonette, 4-passengers, black fabric £215
- Coach-built saloon 5-passengers with folding head £225
- Coach-built coupé with folding head £220
The engine was similar to that of the Morris Oxford Six as was the chassis. The nominally 14.9 hp (11.1 kW) 2-litre engine was said to generate 45 bhp (34 kW) at 3 200 rpm. The gearbox provided three forward speeds. The car was fitted with six brakes, the four-wheel ones adjustable by a single winged-nut.[2]
14 horsepower
The Morris Major programme reported for the October 1931 Motor Show was:
- Range of five types:
- Chassis £160
- Tourer £210
- Sports coupé £245
- Saloon fixed or sliding head £199.10.0 or £215
The fiscal horsepower had been dropped to 13.9 from 14.9. To achieve this the engine capacity was trimmed by a reduction of 2.25 mm in the bore so that bore and stroke became 61.25 x 102 mm giving a cubic capacity of 1803 cc. This reduced size six-cylinder engine had a four-bearing crankshaft an air-cleaner-heater and a fume-consumer head. Other standard features now included chrome finished automatic radiator shutters, a 4-speed twin-top gearbox, Lockheed hydraulic brakes and a wide 52-inch track.[3]
Special coupé
The range was extended during 1932 with a Special coupé priced at £285.[5]
References
- Michael Sedgwick & Mark Gillies, A-Z of Cars of the 1930s, Haymarket Publishing Ltd, 1989, page 137
- Cars Of 1931. The Times, Saturday, Aug 30, 1930; pg. 12; Issue 45605
- Cars Of 1932. The Times, Saturday, Aug 29, 1931; pg. 3; Issue 45914
- Display advertising Morris. The Times, Saturday, Aug 30, 1930; pg. 15; Issue 45605
- Display advertising Morris. The Times, Friday, Sep 02, 1932; pg. 17; Issue 46228.
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