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Morris Commercial Terrapin

Series: Other models

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The Terrapin comes from Morris Commercial. The engine delivers 190 hp (141.7 kW). The machine is 7,010 mm long, 2,670 mm wide and 2,920 mm high. The unladen weight is 7,000 kg. Rated output within this group ranges from 16 to 1,500 hp; the Terrapin sits at the bottom of that range with 190 hp. Its immediate neighbours are the PZM-2 below it with 165 hp and the Diamond T 980 above it with 201 hp. Unladen weight within this group ranges from 361 to 62,500 kg; here the Terrapin sits at the bottom of that range with 7,000 kg. 5 Morris Commercial models across 3 series are on record.

Morris Commercial Terrapin – British amphibious vehicle of the Second World War

The Terrapin (officially the 4-ton amphibian) was a British amphibious transport for ferrying troops and cargo from ship to shore. Because DUKWs were in short supply, the Ministry of Supply commissioned Thornycroft to design it; as a shipbuilder Thornycroft lacked the industrial capacity, so Morris Commercial built the 500 Mark I vehicles in a short span in 1943–44 for the landings in France.

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The Terrapin was powered by two Ford V8 engines (190 hp in total), each driving the wheels on one side; steering was by wheel brakes. In the water two rear propellers drove it. A Mark 2 reached prototype stage only.

Listed in the register: Terrapin.

Sources: Wikipedia Terrapin

Technical data

Engine

Engine	2 x Ford V8correct
Power	190 hp (141.7 kW)correct

Dimensions and weights

Length	7,010 mmcorrect
Width	2,670 mmcorrect
Height	2,920 mmcorrect
Unladen weight	7,000 kgcorrect

Where this model stands

Power-to-weight ratio: 20.2 kW/t (142 kW / 7 t)

Stronger than 45% of the military & special vehicles in the register — out of 103 models with a stated power figure.

Calculated from the documented figures above — not a rating.

Frequently asked questions

How much power does the Morris Commercial Terrapin have?

The Morris Commercial Terrapin delivers 190 hp.

How much does the Morris Commercial Terrapin weigh?

The unladen weight is 7,000 kg.

What are the dimensions of the Morris Commercial Terrapin?

7,010 mm × 2,670 mm × 2,920 mm.

What to check before buying

Check the hour meter against the service records — a replaced instrument is the most common gap.
Compare the data plate and chassis number with the papers.
Check the weights in the papers against the figures here — attachments change them.
Ask about parts availability for this build year — the running costs hang on it.

A general list for this type of machine — no substitute for an inspection or an appraiser.

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This page carries 7 individual figures for this model. They come from 1 recorded source; every figure can be traced there. What we cannot document is not here — we leave gaps open rather than estimate them.

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Sources: Wikipedia (retrieved August 2026) · How we check the data

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