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The
Morris Eight Tourer Club
Some time ago, a family friend was visiting. On hearing of my latest Morris restoration, reminisced of her father's car "an 8/40 Tourer"
My current project being a Ser. E Tourer, invited the lady to view my body in the shed.
Upon closer examination of the car body, and some discussion, it evolved the car she spoke of , was owned by her father in 1938, registered in Katanning Western Australia, (KA 8) had wire wheels, soft top, and, wait for it......
.....four doors.
"Four doors? Nah! Can't be an Eight, mist be something bigger." Was my response.
A week or two
later, our friend returned brandishing three photographs. And, although
the main subject of the photo's was a brand new baby born in 1938, there
was no mistake in identifying the motor vehicle backdrop as either a Ser.
1 or 2 Morris, and yes it had four doors.
Having never seen a four door Ser. 1 or 2 either in the flesh, or pictures, passed the photos around at the following Morris Register of South Australia meeting.
The only response was from our historian who thought he had a picture, but had never seen one.
The challenge was made. The gauntlet thrown down. So with the determination of a Fox Terrier savaging an old sand shoe, I set to the task of finding out more about this car. A car that seemed about as elusive as the fabled Tassie Tiger. As rare as rocking horse droppings, or a chicken with teeth.
This intrepid little Vegemite is not one to duck from a tough task so in to the fray I waded.
Using the powerful tool of the millennium, (The Internet), I tried locating Western Australian Registrar of Motor vehicles, W.A. Car Clubs, all to no avail. It appeared I wasn't using the correct wording to source these organisations.
"Where to from here?" were my thoughts.
Then one night, peering down a billiard que, whilst visiting a fellow Morris enthusiast, he volunteered the name and phone number of Peter a good W.A. contact.
I didn't win at eight ball, but the info. My friend gave me was a real winner. Peter was to ring back at a later date confirming sightings.
But before this exciting news arrived I tried contacting,( still aided by this magic electronic tool,) The Morris Eight Tourer Club of New Zealand, and The Morris Register of Vic., who it seemed, were as much in the dark as we South Aussies. But they offered to ask their members by means of their newsletter. Many thanks for that,.
Next line of approach was a U.K. member of 'The Register. Roger ( @ http://www.morris-garages.f2s.com/ a very interesting web site) who was very helpful, and as equally as interested as I, but still uncertainty of a Ser. 1 or 2 hung over our heads.
Still the thought of "Someone out there must know." Drove me on.
"Yes! What about Dad's army?" A group of retired, and dedicated car enthusiasts' members of the SCCSA who get together on a weekly basis, delving into their passions, the cars and motorcycles of yester years.
One of 'Dad's army," also a member of 'The Register, was my next contact.
Phoning J.W-S was another win providing me with contact number of another WA contact.
A person so interested in motor sport, that on a number of occasions,
I'm led to believe, jumped aboard a Semi Trailer or two, arriving in Adelaide
offering his services to assist in some way with The Adelaide Grand Prix.
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A phone call and email later brought about an answer to gladden an
old man's heart.
He had spoken already for me, to an octogenarian who in his former employment, had worked for the local Morris/ MG dealer, and remembered sending Morris chassis to a body builder who perhaps created the beastie I was seeking. He too would contact me later with more info on the body builder in question. By this time I had received a call back from Peter, who knew of, and seen the vehicle type I sought. Sitting on blocks, excellent condition and running. Even the colour named Peter gave me the contact number, with the words, "Don't ring before June, as the owner is away until then." How can I rest easily until that day? How can he help me? The questions flowed through my brain. But wait I must. |
Then one day,
out of the blue an email arrived from A.J.P. with further information on
the local Morris agencies, and body builders of that time. The excitement's
building!
As if on cue, as I logged off, the phone rang It was our friend who had started this mission. I was so fired up and read to her of our correspondence so far.
"Yes I remember Clem Dwyer, " was her response, "my brother was an apprentice working at Comet Motors with him. And I worked with him there too."
Funny, why hadn't this come out before? But these are the things that are like burley to the fisherman. Adding more interest to the bait, or in my case the hunt for the elusive vehicle.
Where will it end?
Barry.