Two weeks ago we posted a video on our YouTube channel when we started our Morris Commercial C8 4x4 GS (1944) for the first time after almost 40 years. Without any problem! Just a new batterie, fuel and cleaning the ignition and spark plugs.
My father bought that vehicle in England in exchange for some other cars. The previous owners name was Nick Wright. According to my Father he was a great guy, a really world war car lover and a genius mechanic. He had so much passion for these vehicles! When he visited my fathers collection with some friends, he was so impressed that he quit his job in England and came to Vienna to work on our cars for more than a year! He left his picture under the driver seat as a memento.
Nick Wright's picture he left under the seat of the Morris
Sadly we lost contact when he went back to England. In that time without internet, Facebook... not that easy! So maybe someone knows him or got his contact? It would be great if you can help us to find him!
Nick Wright in the 70s
My father brought several cars from the British island, and drove with them and some friends as drivers to Paris and visited the Liberation de Paris ceremony. Back in Vienna my dads friend, lovely called "Rüsseltier" (trunked animal), who drove the Morris didn't find the breaks at a crossroad and destroyed the Zentralsparkasse (Bank in austria) chairman's brand-new Mercedes.
After 1800km on his own wheels it became a place (well preserved) in our collection.
Before the first start after 40 years
As mentioned it took us 40 years to use him again. The British Film Company approached us if we can spend our service for there new movie "Trautmann". A true story about the german P.O.W. Bert Trautmann (David Kross, the reader) who managed to be the first german football player of the year in England. He won the first ever title for Manchester City F.C. as well
They won the FA Cup final in a penalty drama and goalkeeper Bert Trautmann achieved to be the game winner with a broken neck in 1956.
Sculpture of Bert Trautmann in the Museum of Manchester City. (Source: wikipedia)
During the movie shoot a headlamp broke. Of course without having any chance to buy an old english headlamp... Suddenly my father said to me: "Uh that was Nicks car, I bet one's shirt on a horse that anywhere in the car Nick hid some important spare parts!"
And guess what...?
The Morris a Jeep Willys and a Fordson are waiting for action.
Technical Data:
Length: 4.57 m (180 inches)
Width: 2.08 m (82 inches)
Height: 2.16 m (85 inches)
Weight: 4.027 kg (8.950 lb.)
Engine: Own 4-cylinder, type EHB, 3.519 cm3 (214 cubic inches) displacement, carburettor, liquid cooled
HP: 70 @ 3.000 rpm
Transmission: 5-speed gearbox
Transfer case: Single-speed transfer-box with front axle disconnect (except 1st and reverse)
Electrical system: 12 volt.
Brakes: Hydraulic.
Tyres: 9.00 - 16
Fuel type: Petrol
Fuel capacity: 2 x 50 liter (2 x 11 gallons)
Range: 384 km (240 miles)
Pictures
Interieur
Original 73 year old engine
Front view while preparing
Front detail
Side view
Original World War II paint
Original World War II paint II
Type plate
Body type plate
Rim detail
Front
Typical English engineering... intake air filter in the cabin
Typical English engineering... intake air filter in the cabin II
On the set with the Fordson
Panorama on the set with our Karrier K6 and a Fordson