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Morris Commercials – Driving business right to the end
Morris JE-1 service providers. A Sun Tor campervan version of the Morris When pictures were released of an all-new electric version of half-ton van with two-tone paint finish from 1954 is one of the the Morris J-Type, the classic van from the 1950s, they sparked standout photos in Ray Neville’s book. renewed interest into the history of Morris Commercials. A With 21 plants overseas, Morris Commercial was at one recently published book by Veloce Publishers on Morris Cars stage the leading manufacturer of commercial vehicles in the by Ray Newell, the pictorial history provides a great insight world, exporting to 25 counties. Through other acquisitions and into the broad model line-up produced by the British brand mergers within the British motor industry, BMC became part of over five decades. the British Leyland Motor Corporation in 1968. From then on Morris Motors’ initial commercial vehicle was a commercial both Morris and Austin commercial vehicles had to carry a BMC of its first passenger car, the Oxford, prior to World War I. In 1924, badge instead of individual marque names. The main production the Cowley based company expanded into heavier commercial facility at Adderly Park in Birmingham closed in 1971, marking units and formed Morris Commercial Cars Ltd., after William the end of Morris Commercials. Morris acquired the factory of axle manufacturer E.G. Wrigley & However under British Leyland, the Morris and Austin brands Co. Ltd., at Soho, Birmingham. E.G. Wrigley & Co supplied axles got a stay of execution, albeit under a different guise, with the and steering sets to W.R.M. Motors Ltd., (the forerunner of Morris development of the Austin Motors Ltd), between 1913 and Morris 7/10 cwt panel van and 1917 for the 10hp, ‘White & 10 cwt pick-up. Launched in Poppe’ engined Morris Oxford. 1972 and manufacturer up until Between 1924 to 1968, 1980, over 150,000 units were Morris Commercial Cars manproduced. This model series was ufactured 85 different types of replaced by the Morris Ital van vehicles, from light car derived and pick-up and became the vans to large vans, pick-ups, last such vehicle to carry the trucks, buses, ambulances and Morris name beyond 1985. fire engines. During World War However, BL was not II, Morris was an integral manudone with the commercial facturer of military equipment marketplace. Remember the for the British Army and also Austin Metro? Well, there was a built components for Rolls Morris Metro Van version. Better Royce aero engines. Then, in known as the Metro Van, it 1948, the aforementioned Morris Commercial 1939 boasted a 45.7 cu.ft load volume. J-Type, a new forward control Powered by 1.0-litre and 1.3-litre A Plus petrol engines, there 10 cwt van was unveiled at the Commercial Transport Show in were two spec levels to choose from. Metro from the time of its London. Designed with a sliding door on both sides, and a 150 introduction in 1982 was Britain’s best-selling small car. cu.ft load volume, the J-Type gained global sales success. It was Staunch enthusiasts of the Morris name were given an replaced by the Morris J4 in 1961. unexpected surprise when SAIC Motor announced plans to Car-derived-vans emerged from the early 1950s, converted create an all-electric commercial based on the original J-Type from established models such as the Morris Minor, Morris Oxford van. The largest automobile manufacturer in China is to produce and the Mini Minor. When Morris and Austin merged in 1952 to the J-Type zero-emission van and it’s no coincidence that the form the British Motor Corporation (BMC), many models shared assembly line will be once again be located in Birmingham. the same technology, chassis, body shells and drivetrain but with Ground hog days coming around again! their own branding. Special bespoke versions were produced for major fleet operators such as the Royal Mail and Telephone FLEETTRANSPORT | JUNE - JULY 21
