Morris Y Van find

[Eduard Sorokin]

Yes, this is rare find.
Maybe, the following books will be useful for You to know, which versions were in use (note: I have not any connections with those sellers !):

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Morris-10-...item56557b7509
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Morris-Amb...item3a4d900dd8
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/The-Morris...item2ebacb3e1d
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/MORRIS-10-...item1e50847909
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Morris-10-...item3a4d900e29

Regards.

[Lang]

Thanks Eduard I bought the first one.

Lang

[Richard Farrant]

Hi Lang,
Here is one of the Y type ambulances used by the RAF. The army had around 400 according to the contract lists.

http://t2.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:A...WQmRmLti7OIBLQ

No record of army having any vans like you have found, but I recollect a Belgian collector had a van for sale a while ago in RAF colours.

[gordon]

Nice combination. Very rare configuration, very tired, so you can do what you want with it, and yet substantially complete so you wont be looking for major items.

I think when it is done it will be very smart, and of course it shouldn't eat a hole in your pocket, either to restore or to run.

[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