Morris Truck Wanted

 

 

The next expedition is in the labour ward. Not born yet but all the prams and baby seats are being collected in anticipation.

I have gone pretty firm on Michael Terry's 1927 Port Hedland to Melbourne direct across Australia recreation. I am getting a lot of support from forum member "Morris" with the 6-wheeler used in the original.

As Terry had two vehicles and I can not easily source another 6-wheeler I have decided to try to keep accurate with a pair but use a Morris 4-wheeler as he used on several subsequent expeditions. Either an "R" type or "T" type Morris truck from the 20's is required. I know of several out there but can not find one for sale. The owner of one at Tocumwal has generously offered to hire or whatever his truck but I really need full control.

Can the team start asking around. I stupidly missed a beauty in South Australia earlier this year when I put it up on this forum.

Lang



 

 

There are a surprising number of early Morris trucks in Australia.   I think Cheney were the initial agents .... Cheney went to the UK to report on the failings of the early trucks . The boss WM  was interested in what was going on and he came out to investigate. 
I wrote a few articles on the army MCC vehicles for some of the magazines. 

A local here was restoring a 1920s 4x2  model, I spoke to him on the phone , but that was 20 years ago. Dont know if he's still got it or he might have sold it. 

Advert from a Gippsland agent.

 

Thanks Mike. Any leads or contacts gratefully received.

Lang

 

This 1920s newspaper advert is referring to when they sent out some of the Morris engineering staff to Australia, in order to see how the Morris trucks were coping with the rough roads.

 

 

Here is an article on Michael Terry showing off the Morris 6-wheeler on the "remote sandhills" of Port Melbourne.

 

Remote Port Melbourne sand hills..  what a laugh

The Sydney City Council had 60 Morris trucks in the 1920s..plus there were other businesses with more than one Morris truck.

1920s Advert 

   
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The NAA have some pics of Terry's expedition. Terry's expedition on the top of a plateau above the homestead, Horseshoe Bend, Northern Territory, 1928 Michael TerryCreator

   

Two of the characters on one of Terry's expeditions. 

   

National Library of Australia have all Terry's photos (hundreds) and his books, reports and articles. Most can be retrieved via TROVE as they are out of copyright.

This is one I am working on. Do not know if we can do a deal but it gives people an idea of what I am looking at.
www.facebook.com/share/v/16kU7bdgQb/

And yes it goes in the shed with 10mm clearance.
 

A nice pic of a 6 wheeler . I've got a copy of the little book by Harry Edwards on Morris Commercial trucks, it's a short history and not very detailed.