| Morris Major | |
| Manufacturer: | Morris Motors |
| Production: | 1930–1933[1] |
| Predecessor: | Morris Oxford Six |
| Successor: | Morris Cowley Six |
| Assembly: | United Kingdom |
| Body Style: | 4-door saloon 2-door coupe 4-door tourer |
| Layout: | FR layout |
| Engine: | 1938 cc I6 (1930–31) 1803 cc I6 (1931–33)[2] |
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.[1]
Announced 30 August 1930, the Major was offered in two types of saloon and a coupé:[3]
The engine was similar to that of the Morris Oxford Six as was the chassis. The nominally 14.9hp 2-litre engine was said to generate 45bhp 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.[4]
The Morris Major programme reported for the October 1931 Motor Show had an expanded range of five body styles:
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.[5]
The range was extended during 1932 with a Special coupé priced at £285.[6]