In 1933 the War Office issued a specification for a new type of purpose-built light trucks able to carry 15 long cwt (760 kg) loads, the specification stipulated a short wheelbase, good ground clearance, a semi-forward driver's position and the use of commercial components as much as possible but with the usual cabin eliminated to simplify production.

[2][3] It was planned to issue one 15-cwt truck to every platoon in a re-equipped mechanised British Army to carry personnel and equipment.

The CS8 was a two-wheel drive two axle (4x2) light truck designed to carry 15 long cwt (1,700 lb; 760 kg) loads.

[4][2] The CS8 was powered by a 212.7 cu in (3,485 cm3) 6-cylinder inline sidevalve petrol engine[a] that delivered 60 bhp (45 kW) at 2,800 rpm and driven through a four-speed transmission; its suspension was by live axles on multi-leaf semi-elliptical springs.

In 1941 Morris ceased production of the CS8, in favour of their C4 model which used a 4-cylinder engine but was otherwise similar to the CS8 except the wheelbase was increased to 9 feet (2.7 m) to rectify the handling issues of the CS8.