Highlights

In the vendor's family for over 50 years
Recent comprehensive refurbishment including new roof canvas and interior
Rare Doctor's Coupe variant with a foldable roof
Mechanically reliable and capable in modern traffic
Dry stored and well-maintained as part of a classic car collection
An exemplary example of a very rare model

The Appeal

Originating in the 1920s, the term "Doctor's Coupé" refers to a three-window, two-door hard top body style. It was the sort a car a doctor might use to make their rounds, not requiring the space of the typical family saloon. This 1927 Morris Oxford boasts rare period Doctor's Coupé Convertible coachwork; a very handsome car indeed.

The vendor tells us:

"The vehicle has been in the family for over 50 years, having been purchased by my grandfather in the early '70s. It has been dry stored ever since and formed part of a small collection, parked alongside a 1926 Morris Bullnose, 1928 Morris Commercial, Morris Minor convertible, Morris Minor traveller, Riley 1.5 and a Wolseley 1500. During my granddad's ownership, the vehicle did very little mileage but was regularly turned over by hand and mechanically cared for to ensure longevity.

"In 2022, my grandfather decided to sell his collection due to age and I was lucky enough to buy it from him. I choose the Oxford as it was the rarest of his collection. The vehicle has remained in a very well-ventilated, dry, extended double garage in my ownership and is never driven in wet conditions. Recent work includes a new roof canvas, interior headlining, interior bench reupholstered, rear panel taken back to bare metal and resprayed (£4k), 4x new tyres and all fluids recently replaced."

As the photographs attest, the Morris is in beautiful condition for its age, and the vendor assures us that it drives superbly, benefitting from regular maintenance, regardless of how much it's been driven. Well-sorted examples of these pre-war motor cars are getting hard to find, so this impeccable example is certainly worthy of your consideration.

The History and Paperwork

Vehicle has been in the family for over 50 years, purchased by the vendor's grandfather in the early '70s
Dry stored ever since, part of a small collection
In 2022, the vendor's grandfather decided to sell his collection due to his age; the current owner bought the Oxford as it was the rarest car in the collection
Stored in a well-ventilated, dry, extended double garage and is never driven in wet conditions
45,064 miles indicated

The vendor remarks:

"This car is such a pleasure to drive! I sometimes take it to work in the summer; it’s that reliable! Everybody stares when you drive by; it’s something most people have never seen in real life before. It’s such a beautiful machine and a rare version of it, as it has a fully working/refurbished foldable roof. It’s very capable in modern traffic, as it has the more powerful 13.5hp engine and four-wheel brakes which really give you the confidence to drive the car amongst modern-day vehicles. It’s had no expense spared, what with the new roof, headlining, tyres, interior bench and rear paintwork. It’s been in the family for over 50 years which shows how much this car has been truly loved and cared for."

The Condition

Respray cost £4,000, with invoice available
Bodywork looks in very good order overall
Slight cracking on the wooden sections around the windows
Rear panel (dicky seat cover and surround) was taken back to bare metal and resprayed by a classic car specialist in March 2023
No dents or scuffs on the bodywork
Entire cover table roof has been completely reupholstered, including a new exterior canvas and a new interior headlining
Comes with an additional foldable suitcase carrier, bolted onto the rear, but not currently fitted
Working pull-out dicky seat
Underside of the vehicle is solid with no rust concerns
Interior presents well
Brand new headlining
Interior bench has been recovered, using the original bench and springs to retain originality
Speedometer works, but the speedometer gear within the brake drum is broken; a new part is required and is reportedly available online
All instruments work, including oil pressure gauge, wind-up clock, voltmeter, and clock lights
Interior switches for interior/exterior lights and charge/discharge both work
4x new matching tyres
No expense spared with new roof, headlining, tyres, interior bench, and rear paintwork

As the photographs show, this Morris is impeccably presented and is surely among the smartest examples of this rare body style you're ever likely to come across. The paintwork is glossy and bright, as is the brass brightwork, while the wheels all present beautifully and are shod with a new set of matching tyres. We're assured that the chassis is in very good order, with no corrosion apparent, while the folding roof looks to be in fantastic condition. The interior upholstery exhibits a gentle patina, as befits a car of this age. The woodwork appears very well-preserved throughout.

The Mechanics

1.9-litre four-cylinder 13.5hp petrol engine
Three-speed manual gearbox
Transmission gears: Smooth gearbox with all gears working
Working coolant temperature gauge as part of the radiator cap
As an Oxford model, it features 4-wheel brakes and 5-stud axles
Historic repair of the radiator cover is visible
Brand new, unused radiator available for discussion and sale to the new owner
Mechanically working and reliable
Starts quickly and easily using the dyno start and can also be started by hand
Dynamotor can be switched between charging the battery or not charging; both functions work
Engine is a reliable runner, always starts, does not overheat
Clutch is healthy and not slipping
Car is reliable and can be driven at any time
Brakes are very good for a vehicle of this age; the handbrake is strong and capable
Leaks a bit of oil from the engine when running, the vendor is unsure where from

The vendor has found the Morris to be capable in modern traffic with the Oxford's more powerful 13.5hp engine and four-wheel brakes. They inform us that they sometimes commute to work in the car, during the warmer months, finding it to be reliable. It's rare to find such a usable car of this vintage and type, so this Doctor's Coupé is certainly not to be missed.

BEFORE YOU BUY

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