Morris Marshal

This car was closely based on the Austin A95 Westminster, which in turn had been developed from the Austin A90. Introduced in 1957, it represented BMC Australia's first entry into the local six-cylinder market.

It was not until 1961 that BMC rationalised their dealer network. At the time the Marshal was introduced, there were separate dealers for Morris and Austin. The introduction of the Marshal gave Morris dealers a large 6 cylinder car to compete with the Holden.

Wheels magazine, in a road test of the Marshal published in its January 1958 issue, said, of the differences between the A95 and the Marshal, that "local stylists have given the car a few individual touches which are both pleasing and distinctive. There is a symbolic boomerang across the front grille, a sloping bonnet, small replicas of field marshals' badges as insignia, an attractive new front grille, and aluminium comet tail flashes along either side. Inside there is a new dashboard with a black facia panel, and a bench seat replacing the twin semibucket seats of the A95."

Wheels summed up by saying that the Marshal was "undoubtedly a car of character and one which sets you apart from the herd. Is smooth, silent, and tremendously powerful - very like an A95 to drive, but sufficiently different to make it necessary for you to try both before choosing. Needs development in several details, but safe, pacy, long-striding car, ideal for distances and rough back roads and with a huge touring range. Essentially a man's car, and one with semi-sporting flavour; but looks nice enough and handles sweetly enough to please women also. Should prove to be durable".

It was discontinued in June 1960.

Click here to see a road test from the January 1958 issue of the Australian motoring magazine WHEELS of the Morris Marshal and, to compare the Marshal to the A95, click here to see a road test (also from the January 1958 issue of WHEELS) of the Austin A95.