Morris Major (1931 to 1933)


The Morris Major is an automobile produced by Morris Motors in the United Kingdom from late 1930 until 1933. It was described by commentators as a Morris Oxford Six with a coachbuilt saloon body. 4025 examples of the 1931 model were produced followed by 14,469 of the 1932–33 model.

15 horsepower

Announced 30 August 1930, the Major was offered in two types of saloon and a coupé:
  • 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 2-litre engine was said to generate 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.

14 horsepower

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.

Special coupé

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