| Morris Commercial C8 GS 1944 |
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It all began with a biscuit tin full of airfix tanks and plastic soldiers...
35 years later and a visit to Beltring for the War and Peace show - 3,000 military vehicles - I had to have one! I saved hard for 2 years to purchase a jeep. I read the books, bought the magazines, prices continued to rise. Then I saw it on the internet (Milweb) It was British, built in 1944 and would fit in my front garden - I could afford it too! The rest is history. In March 2002 I bought a Morris Commercial C8 GS.
In June 2004 I travelled in my Morris to Normandy for the 60th anniversary. She was superb and the whole event was a fantastic experience.
Sections
- Background to the Morris Commercial C8
- Morris Commercial C8 GS production history
- History of my C8 GS
- Sources
Background to the Morris Commercial C8
Apologies for any errors.
Please contact me with corrections, further information or sources.
1913 First production Morris Oxford leaves Temple Cowley, outside Oxford
1924 Morris Cowley 8cwt van
1924 February Morris Commercial Cars Ltd formed in February
1924 May First Morris Commercial produced T-Type one tonner
1929 Morris Commercial Cars moves from Foundry Lane, Soho, Birminham to Adderley Park
1930 First Heavy Morris Comercial P-Type leader - Morris Commercial cars becom ethe largest manufacturer of commercial vehicles in Europe.
1939 C8 4*4 enters quantity production
1940 C8/MG - Mobile gun introduced. Not produced in quantity
C8/AT (anti tank) with 2 pdr gun produced
1943 C8 AT converted to tow 17pdr AT gun
C8/P predictor carried Kerrison predictor apparatus for Bofors gun
C9/B SP(self propelled) Bofors vehicle with elongated chassis introduced
1944 C8 GS (General Service) prototype produced
Morris Commercial C8 GS production history
1944 prototype produced Contract S3361: WD No. Z5359961
C8 GS production contracts
S6450 for 4,000 trucks WD nos. Z5809758-13757
S8421 for 1,000 trucks WD nos. Z6172310-3309
S8629 for 2,500 trucks WD nos. Z6185999-8498
Variants
131 C8/AC Compressor (S7109; Z5872837-964 and Z6168855-857)
400 FFW (Fitted for Wireless) (S7447; Z5870926)
233 C8/GA Compressor 'T' (S9414; Z6233521-753)
500 C8/GB House/type Wireless/Light Warning vans
Experimental types
A 200 gallon water bowser prototype (S8757 Z6191557 1945)
History of my C8 GS
I purchased my Morris C8 GS in March 2002
The vehicle registration document states
Declared date of manufacture 1944
Date of registration 1st July 1976
Registration number 571 FUF
4 former owners since this date
Chassis/frame number 2283444 - I contacted the Museum of Army Transport who will trace the history of your vehicle for a small fee. Unfortunately they were unable to geive me any more information. The data plate for the chassis has been overstamped. Could this be the reason for being unable to trace it? I have not been able to verify the chassis number on the chassis as yet. Any ideas?
Engine number EHB48778. The engine has a small brass plant containing information about an engine overhaul in 1955. I assume this is from its army service days?
I believe my Morris Commercial C8 GS is an early production vehicle because
- GS body is wooden - although the 'Wheels and Tracks' article suggests early production vehicles had wooden bodies and composite wood and metal cabs.
- Track rods are located at the front of the front axle. They were moved to the rear after the firts 500 vehicles (Wheels and Tracks)
- Wheels and Tracks states that the radiator surround was plain. My Morris C8 has the Morris Commercial Badge.
Sources
An excellent source has been
For background information (but nothing about wartime Morris Commercials)
This in turn is based on an article by Peter Seymour in
Martin Ford
December 2004