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1941 Morris Y Type 10cwt Van
Morris Motors had been producing commercial vehicles since 1913, specialising mainly in small pay load trucks and vans, but eventually covering a full range up to 3 tons. |
1941 Morris Y Type 10cwt Van
Morris Motors had been producing commercial vehicles since 1913, specialising mainly in small pay load trucks and vans, but eventually covering a full range up to 3 tons.
Morris Commercial light vehicles, mainly adapted from the private car range gave excellent value for money based on huge production numbers, and smaller firms found it hard to compete. The GPO in particular used the 8 and 10 Cwt models in very large numbers for telephone repairs and postal deliveries. But light vans led very hard lives and preservation was hardly considered, so very few survived, and they are much sought after today.
This excellent example of the Series Y started life as a Telephone Engineers van and originally cost £360, a considerable sum in 1941. A low-forward driving position is achieved by placing the engine to the side of the chassis and running the gearbox and prop-shaft along the near side of the chassis to an off-centre differential in the rear axle. This gives excellent visability for the driver and an uninterupted load space, but the passengers accommodation can best be described as rudimentary. The van is fitted with a reliable 1548cc 4 cylinder engine from the 12/4 model and has Bishop Cam steering and lockhead hydraulic brakes. The body is of all steel construction, but with a weight saving roof of leather cloth over timber stretches.
The Model Y was introduced in 1940, and remained in production for some 10 years. During this time the GPO took delivery of some 34117 vans for postal use and a further 605 examples for telephone engineers. This extremely rare semi forward-control van was purchased by the present owner in 1990, having had 3 previous owners, the last of whom carried out a ground-up “nut and bolt restoration”. During 1989, the van was entered in 4 major shows, and won four first prize awards, including the 1989 Stoneleigh Town and Country Festival. The current owner has used the Morris gently as an advertising tool for his business, and a collection of MoT certificates support this. No VAT is payable on the vehicle, however, as it is privately owned.
This magnificent little Morris Commercial is now an extremely rare and hard to find collectors item, it is in exceptional condition having been the subject of a complete rebuild and it runs and drives sweetly. Here is an unusual opportunity to acquire a reliable and easy to run light commercial with great advertising potential or to drive and show for pure pleasure.