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Morris Major (1931 to 1933)

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Morris Major
1931 Morris Major 6-light saloon
Overview
ManufacturerMorris Motors
Production1930–1933[1]
AssemblyUnited Kingdom
Body and chassis
Body style4-door saloon[2]
2-door coupe[2]
4-door tourer[2]
LayoutFR layout[1]
Powertrain
Engine1938 cc I6 (1930–31)[1]
1803 cc I6 (1931–33)[3]
Chronology
PredecessorMorris Oxford Six
SuccessorMorris Cowley Six

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]

15 horsepower

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Announced 30 August 1930, the Major was offered in two types of saloon and a coupé:[4]

  • 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

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The Morris Major programme reported for the October 1931 Motor Show had an expanded range of five body styles:

  • 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 bore was reduced by 2.25 mm for a bore and stroke of 61.25 × 102 mm, resulting in a displacement 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

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The range was extended during 1932 with a Special coupé priced at £285.[5]

References

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  1. ^ a b c d Michael Sedgwick & Mark Gillies, A-Z of Cars of the 1930s, Haymarket Publishing Ltd, 1989, page 137
  2. ^ a b c d e f Cars Of 1931. The Times, Saturday, Aug 30, 1930; pg. 12; Issue 45605
  3. ^ a b Cars Of 1932. The Times, Saturday, Aug 29, 1931; pg. 3; Issue 45914
  4. ^ Display advertising Morris. The Times, Saturday, Aug 30, 1930; pg. 15; Issue 45605
  5. ^ Display advertising Morris. The Times, Friday, Sep 02, 1932; pg. 17; Issue 46228.
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