The Morris J2 and Austin 152 were launched in June 1956 as a van, pick-up and minibus, or in Austin-speak, “Omnivan”, “truck” and “coach.” They could also be ordered as a chassis cab for coach-built bodies to be added. The Morris J2 had a tall pear-shaped grille with vertical slots, whilst the Austin 152 had a lower grille with horizontal slots. Later the Austin version was also called the J2, and the Austin type grille was standardised on Morris badged versions as well.
Initially rated at 15cwt, from 1960 they were upgraded to 16/18cwt. They were powered by the 1489cc B-Series petrol engine and had a column gearchange. That was replaced by a floor mounted gearchange from 1961, with a “backwards” configuration to catch out the unwary (with the higher gears to the left of the lower ratios). At the same time, a 1489cc diesel was also offered.
From 1963, the 1622cc B-Series engine wasthe inside of any closed steel box sections from rusting, with only the outside surfaces being sprayed.
