Austin historyNairn HindhaughApril 18, 2021Morris Marshal

The Marshal – BMC’s big Morris for Australia

Austin historyNairn HindhaughApril 18, 2021Morris Marshal

When BMC was setting up in this country, they realised that a great deal of rationalisation would have to take place. The biggest Morris on the market in 1956 was the Isis – a six-cylinder version of the Series II Oxford. It used the 2.6 litre C-Series engine, but it was not selling in numbers to make it viable, and it was fully imported. The Austin A95 Westminster was assembled here as a CKD vehicle, so it was decided to axe the Isis and to make the Morris dealers happy, a suitable car would be created from the Austin.

*The Morris Isis, which used the basic Oxford body, but with the 2.6 Litre 6 cylinder engine, also used in the Austin A95*

The Austin A95 - the differences can be seen with the Marshal. The Marshal’s grille, bonnet pressing and the chrome side trim was re-arranged with the addition of an annodised aluminium flash on the rear guard.

The original concept of the Marshal in the ’Styling Studio’ of BMC Australia. — *The original concept of the Marshal in the ’Styling Studio’ of BMC Australia.*

A new grille was designed – simpler and I think neater than the rather messy A95 affair. The bonnet was redesigned with an air-intake slightly further back, and some of the side chrome strips re-arranged, as well as the two-toning scheme, to give it a different appearance from the Austin. It was given a military name in line with the Major, and is always spelt with one "l". A badge with crossed swords graced the boot lid and the front guard sides, while a heavy cast M badge replaced the plastic Austin crest above the grille.

*The two brochure illustrations show the subtle differences between the Marshal and the A95 Westminster.*

It was launched at the end of 1957, priced at £1458, slightly above the Austin at £1447. An FE Holden Special was £1204, so there was never any attempt to break into its market. The BMC twins lay in an awkward section of the market; much more than a Holden, but substantially less than a Customline (£1992) Chevrolet (£2075), Chrysler Royal (£1896) and the Humber Super Snipe (£1798). Three 4–cylinder cars, Standard’s Vanguard at £1417, Renault Fregate Admiral at £1483 and the Humber Hawk at £1480 may have been considered, or for about £100 less, the six-cylinder Ford Zephyr was a worthy rival.

The Austin A95 sold reasonably well, but the so-called M95 lagged in the show-rooms. Morris had never sold large cars successfully; their market was mainly Minors and Majors, and if you wanted a big car from their stable, there was always a Wolseley.

A Marshal Traveller was offered, but sold in tiny numbers; the A95 Countryman wasn’t much more successful. Michael and Sue Wells have a Marshal Traveller under restoration in Toowoomba. One version of the A105 was made – the M105, probably for a director.

Both the A95 and Marshal are highly thought of – they were well-suited to Australian roads and were fast with a top speed of around 90 mph. Wheels magazine summed it up in January 1958; ‘Is smooth, silent and powerful – very like an A95 to drive, but sufficiently different to make it necessary to try both before choosing. Needs development in several details, but is a safe, pacy, long striding car, ideal for distances and rough back roads, and with a huge touring range’.