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The Morris Six Series MS was a member of the same family as the Oxford and Minor - the Oxford and the MS using the same basic bodyshell as the Wolseley 4/50 and 6/80, which helped standardisation. The MS had a longer bonnet, different front doors and other features to the MO, but both Oxford and MS had common body finishes inside and out. Both were built by the Nuffield Group at Cowley, and it is known that the MS was produced because Lord Nuffield wanted a new 6-cylinder car to join the Morris Minor and Oxford range introduced at the Motor Show at Earls Court in October 1948, and that is why the MS came about.

Morris Six in Clarendon Grey (Morris Six MS)

Only 2 Morris Sixes were actually built in late 1948, and production didn't really start until the first quarter of 1949. Early body colours for the MS were Maroon, Romain Green, Black, and Platinum Grey, which were also used by the Oxford and Minor. Some changes were made to the MS during its lifespan up to early 1954, including the 2200cc overhead camshaft six-cylinder engine, which was derived from an aero engine and shared with the Wolseley 6/80, but with a single carburettor to the 6/80's twin set up. As with the Wolseleys, they had a propensity to burn exhaust valves, simply because they could not rotate in their seats. Later engines featured an inclined valve design and revised waterways in the head, but it did little to cure the problem - it was later found that Stelliting exhaust valves increased their lives.

An early change to the body was to replace the Armstrong lever arm dampers with telescopic ones, and it was also found that early cars had weaknesses to the undersides and had to have plates welded to the chassis members to strengthen them. The cars were recalled and modified for this reason quite early on. Early interiors had beige leather seats with red or brown piping, which was later changed to brown, green or red leather, but in a plainer style. Another early feature of the MS and Oxford was that the boot lid had its registration plate pressed into it, a half-moon light plate at the right end, and round stop lights. Later these were replaced with the Lucas type fittings seen on all the later Morrises and Wolseleys.

During 1949, many early cars were exported, with the 'lion's share' going to Australia. However, some cancelled export orders saw cars distributed to dealers in Great Britain, with garages offering the Six at the same price as an Oxford!
A problem facing British manufacturers in the late 1940's and early 1950's was a shortage of quality metal, and some lower grades had to be used until things improved. However, the Morris Six actually changed very little during its production life from October 1948 to March 1954 when it was discontinued after a total production of 12,186.

It was a stylish saloon car, with a good turn of speed, and it is a pity that the engine was never fully developed over the years. It's now up to modern day classic car fans to make the improvements and put things right that should have been done in the early 50's by Morris Motors engineers. For this writer though, the Morris Six is one of the best cars I have known.

A comprehensive Buyers Guide, compiled by Bob Pountney, the Club's Secretary & Public Relations Officer, is available as a PDF download through this link. Other interesting publications can be found in the Download Section as well.