Morris Minor Owners Club

svenedin wrote: ↑Wed Sep 02, 2026 2:55 pm Interesting box that it came in. Those in the know will recognise the format of the long code (clue, 99 is the UK code)

No it didn't escape from stores!

geoberni wrote: ↑Wed Sep 02, 2026 4:27 pm

svenedin wrote: ↑Wed Sep 02, 2026 2:55 pm Interesting box that it came in. Those in the know will recognise the format of the long code (clue, 99 is the UK code)

No it didn't escape from stores!

So they had an oversupply of boxes for a particular contract?
I can't imagine there being that many vehicles in current service which still use a traditional coil.

svenedin wrote: ↑Wed Sep 02, 2026 4:30 pm
Yes. Lumenition tell me their products were used in tanks but that was a long time ago.

Stephen

The Centurion was the first tank to be fitted with an auxiliary engine and generator. The industrial version of the Morris 8hp 918cc engine fitted to Morris 8 cars was chosen for the task due to its well-proven sturdiness and reliability. The Morris engines slotted neatly into the front left corner of the Centurion's main engine compartment.
The Morris was fitted with a 24 volt ignition system and was connected to a 24 volt 3000 watt dynamo. The dynamo shaft extended through the crew compartment bulkhead and terminated with a starting handle dog. A special bracket accommodated the starting handle in the requisite position within the crew compartment.
It is estimated that over 8,000 Morris 8 engines, including spares, were produced for use in the Centurion and in recent years, some of these have become available as Government surplus. The engine was designated by the military as the Type A41 and minor design enhancements, mainly to do with the electrics for the generating system, were incorporated into a progressive number of Marks. All the engines were painted eggshell blue, which was standard military practice for automotive equipment.
A number of special castings were made for the ancillary equipment, and these normally have a military part number, usually prefixed with the letters FV (Fighting Vehicle). So, the humble Morris 8 engine has enjoyed a long and distinguished worldwide military career.