Morris Y Van find

[Mike Cecil]

Lang,

There are a couple of WW2 possibilities in Australia:

(1) The RAN list a small number of 'Morris Vans', type and date not specified. Three were in use at HMAS Harmon and the Belconnen Wireless Station in the ACT, for example;
(2) The US Forces in Australia (USAFIA) list a large number of 'Light English Utility Trucks' (along with a large number of 'Light English Tourers' of 10HP) provided by the Commonwealth under Reciprocal Lend Lease. They were of the following makes: Austin, Hillman, Standard, and Morris. The Morris is the least in number, but there are a few. Disposal was mainly in Sydney and Brisbane by the CDC after being returned to the Commonwealth by the departing USAFIA. 'Trucks' of course, is the US terminology that was applied by them to any cargo-carrying vehicle, regardless of drive train or weight class: Australian forces would classify them as 'Vans' or 'light tenders'.

I have Morris listed for the RAAF, but only 10HP tourers. None that I have found as serving in the Australian Army (AMF and AIF).

Do you have any more info on yours: year of manufacture, chassis number, etc?

Mike C

[Lang]

Mike

I will be leaving tomorrow with a trailer to pick it up in Mildura. Will be back in Brisbane by Saturday and should be able to provide more info.

The owner insists it is 1936 but that is not so because they did not start making them until years after that. He says there are a couple of plates.

Lang

[Mike Cecil]

Lang,

OK: I'll look forward to it.

Mike C

[Lang]

Here is the pick-up of the Morris "Y" 10cwt van.

Very complete. Engine turns over freely and gears engage freely.

Main job is a complete rework of the wood frame but all the bits are there for patterns.

Request for the Australians: I need 4 X 18 inch Morris wheels any leads gratefully received.

Mike, here is the data detail. Unfortunately the right side of the plate is gone.

Type 12/4
Car No. SY/TW 20??
Engine No. 70283

If anyone has any info at all about the 1500cc motor, vehicle performance etc it would be good as I am thinking about leaving the Dodge Carryall behind and using the Morris on the Istanbul to Normandy trip next year. They may as well have been never made as far as Australia is concerned - all my searching has only discovered one in Sydney. Plenty of Morris "Z" utes and vans but they were much smaller both in capacity and engine size.






Lang

[gordon]

At least you have one original so you can identify them positively. I don't think I've ever seen one of those vans round here.

Are those side windows original, or at least contemporary?

[Lang]

Getting more info.

The owner, aged 60, can remember this vehicle sitting in his older sister's yard in the late 50's looking "exactly the same condition as now"

He has done some research for me and says it was "bought from an army auction right after the war". It was used by a family as their car and they are the ones who put the windows in. They are certainly not an amateur modification and look very professionally done. In the late 40's it was used commercially as a baker's van before being sold to the current family who only used it for a "few years" before parking and forgetting it.

Photo of the Ford 10 which is an almost exact clone of the Morris (or vice versa) right down to the off-set engine. It shows this style of window was used during the period.

Lang

[gordon]

I wonder if there was any wheel interchangeability with other contemporary makes, like the Ford ?

Might end up getting in four wheels from four different continents, but as long as you get there. It's not like not having the wheels is going to slow you down on the rest of it. I'm sure if any came up for sale someone in MLU-land would be willing to buy and post them on.

[Richard Farrant]

Originally Posted by Lang

Photo of the Ford 10 which is an almost exact clone of the Morris (or vice versa) right down to the off-set engine. It shows this style of window was used during the period.

Hi Lang,
It is interesting to see the Ford photo, because I believe that is a Martin Walter Utilicon conversion (ie a personnel carrier). This company was in Folkestone, Kent and converted a huge number of van conversions over many years, largely on Bedfords latterly.

Here is a link to another 12/4 van in Australia and looking at the engine number, is close to yours, pity your chassis number is not complete. It has the Martin Walter conversion, side windows slightly different, but would be interesting to see if the rear floor looks the same on yours. This one was apparently bought new.
http://www.svvs.org/Utilevan.shtml

I remember as a kid, the owner of the village shop had one of these van with windows in, and the Royal Mail used them as well. Still a few around and I was aghast recently when I saw one made in to a "hot rod", bet it did not have the wheezing side valve in it though !

regards, Richard

[Tim Lovelock]

Originally Posted by Lang

Here is the pick-up of the Morris "Y" 10cwt van.

Very complete. Engine turns over freely and gears engage freely.

Main job is a complete rework of the wood frame but all the bits are there for patterns.

Request for the Australians: I need 4 X 18 inch Morris wheels any leads gratefully received.

Mike, here is the data detail. Unfortunately the right side of the plate is gone.

Type 12/4
Car No. SY/TW 20??
Engine No. 70283

If anyone has any info at all about the 1500cc motor, vehicle performance etc it would be good as I am thinking about leaving the Dodge Carryall behind and using the Morris on the Istanbul to Normandy trip next year. They may as well have been never made as far as Australia is concerned - all my searching has only discovered one in Sydney. Plenty of Morris "Z" utes and vans but they were much smaller both in capacity and engine size.






Lang

Hi Lang, have a couple of pics of 17 1/2" rims that look similar. Having difficulty putting up pics. SMS me 0414645853 l'll send pics to you. If they are what you want, I'll ask my friend if he will part with them. Cheers Tim

[Lang]

Tim,

Here is the 18 inch Morris wheel - I need 4.

Lang

[Tim Lovelock]

Originally Posted by Lang

Tim,

Here is the 18 inch Morris wheel - I need 4.

Lang

Yup, the ones I know of are different alright!!