User:CaptainVroomVroom/sandbox/Morris T-Type

1926 Morris T-Type with a General Utility Body

The Morris T-Type (sometimes known as "Morris One Ton Truck", and later badged "Morris-Commercial T-Type") was a model of commercial vehicle produced by Morris Commercial Cars Limited between 1924 and 1932, in Soho, Birmingham. It was the first model produced by the company, and shared many mechanical components with the Morris Oxford, produced by Morris Motors.

History

The Morris T-Type was built in the factory formerly belonging to E.G. Wrigley and Company, who William Morris had purchased to create Morris Commercial Cars Ltd, on Factory Lane in Soho, Birmingham. Promotional information about the vehicle was distributed in early 1924, with the first actual vehicles rolling out the factory later the same year.

Early T-Types bore the name "Morris" on their radiators, with later models (starting in 1928) being rebranded as "Morris Commercial".

Mechanics

The Morris T-Type was equipped with the 1802cc CE engine, prodcued by Morris Engines Ltd., the same engine as was used in the contemporary Morris Oxford. The engine would have originally been fitted with a Smith single-jet carburretor. The gearbox uses a sliding-mesh design (sometimes known as a "crash box") with 3 forward gears and 1 reverse gear. The gearbox is driven by a multi-plate cork clutch running in an oil bath.

Drive is provided to the rear axle via a torque tube, which also supports the rear axle. A worm drive is used in the differntial, and power is sent to both rear wheels via encasesd half-shafts.

The T-Type utilised rod-operated internal-expanding drum brakes. Originally the T-Type was only provisioned with brakes on the rear wheels, with later models having the option of 4-wheel brakes. Early T-Type brake drums were built combined in the hub and would require special tools and dissasembly of the wheel hub to remove. Later T-Type brake drums were attached in the more conventional manner, locating onto the outside of the hub and being secured with screws.

The suspension in a T-Type utilises semi-elliptical leafsprings.

Steering in the T-Type is provided by a Bishop Cam steering box.

Ditton Park radio van

Electrics

The Morris T-Type was fitted with various electric systems depending on what was required. The most basic T-Types used a 6V Battery, with a dynamo providing charge, that would be used to power two front headlights, one rearlight (that also functioned as a number-plate light) and an interior light. Some T-Types were fitted with more complex lighting sytems, such as buses which may have additional lighting for the passengers.

Some T-Types were fitted with a starter motor, in the form of a Lucas Dynamotor, a form of motor-generator. The Dynamotor could act as a starter motor when first starting the engine, and then once the engine had reached sufficient speed could be used to recharge the battery.

Interestingly the T-Type does not use the chassis as a return path for electricity, as is seen in modern cars. Instead each electrical component has both a positive and negative wire run to it. This means that depending on how the T-Type is wired up it can be either chassis-positive or chassis-negative and still function.

Body

General Utlity T-Type, showing benches and tilt

The T-Type used a body-on-frame construction, with various bodystyles offered. One such style is the "general-utility" which could be used for either carrying goods or passengers. It consisted of a a dropside lorry body with a removable tilt cover, removable benches and folding steps for rear access into the bed. Other bodystyles included vans and buses.

T-Type bodies were largely built from wood, with some structural metal parts such as bracing.

External links

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