Description
This motorcycle is Lot 77 to be auctioned by Bonhams at the Timed-Online January Sale, please see the Bonhams website for full details. The timed online auction runs between January 17th through January 27th, with lots closing from midday January 27th 2025.
Public Viewing:
Available 22nd January 2025 from 09:00 until 17:00, by appointment only at Bonhams Milton Keynes.
Lot 77
Offered from the estate of the late Derek Fox
1926 Morris Oxford 13. 9hp 'Bullnose' Tourer
Registration no. SF 5977
Frame no.
Engine no. none visible (170356 to VIN plate)
"Very few new cars find a way straight to the heart of the motor user with the speed and completeness that attended the debut of the original Morris Oxford and later the Morris Cowley cars." - Autocar, 2nd August 1919.
One of the best known and most readily recognised vintage cars, the 'Bullnose' Oxford had its roots in the Edwardian era. The first examples, fitted with 8. 9hp White & Poppe engines, were manufactured in 1913, embodying Morris' successful formula of offering technically unexciting but well built and well equipped cars at a bargain price. Production at Morris's Cowley factory began in March 1913 and by the end of the year 393 cars had been sold.
The Oxford and its close relation, the Continental-engined Cowley, evolved gradually, both models switching to engines made by Hotchkiss' Coventry subsidiary in 1919. A close copy of the Continental, the Hotchkiss engine was made in 1, 548cc, 11. 9hp form initially, a larger (1, 802cc) 13. 9hp version becoming available in 1923.
A more conventional flat-fronted radiator replaced the distinctive 'Bullnose' type in late 1926, by which time four-wheel brakes had become standardised on the Oxford chassis. All-steel bodies, built under licence granted by the American Budd concern, were another new introduction that year. Easy to drive and maintain, the Bullnose Oxford was Britain's most popular car prior to the arrival of the Austin Seven.
This particular Bullnose is offered from the estate of notable Norton collector the late Derek Fox, who acquired the car in 2019. (Bonhams is privileged to be offering Derek's collection of motorcycles at our Spring Stafford Sale in April 2025.)
Retaining its original registration, 'SF 5977', the Oxford comes with a most substantial history file, much of it accumulated during the car's long-term ownership with the Ripley family. The earliest record of ownership is a photocopied letter from the Westfield Autocar Company Ltd of Edinburgh stating that they had purchased the Oxford from a Dr A A Labinjohn of Canning Street Lane, Edinburgh on 7th August 1959 and sold it to a Mr W (William) Dale. Unfortunately, it is not known whether or not Dr Labinjohn was the car's first owner (see grandson's letter on file).
Basil Ripley acquired 'SF 5977' in 1965 from the aforementioned Willie Dale, a resident of Dunbar, East Lothian, who had bought it a few years previously. An experienced owner and restorer of numerous Veteran and Vintage cars, Basil exchanged his two-seater Oxford for this four-seater, his fourth Bullnose. Basil Ripley was clearly a most enthusiastic and fastidious owner, and much of the history files' contents consist of his detailed hand-written logs listing maintenance, servicing, parts purchased, repaints, etc and recording every hour and pound spent on the car (inspection essential). Basil's son Michael inherited the Oxford following his father's death in 1994 (see photocopied obituaries on file).
On 29th March 2010 the Bullnose was sold to its next custodian, Mr Robert William Atkinson of County Durham, who kept the car until 29th April 2013 when it passed to Mr Ralph Crow of Northumberland. An email printout on file dated 2018 states that Mr Crow completely rebuilt the Oxford and showed it in the north east of England. There is also a sizeable folder of invoices recording the works carried out by Mr Crow and Mr Atkinson (inspection recommended) together with others containing insurance documents; photocopied technical literature; assorted correspondence; DVLA SORN paperwork: copy old-style continuation logbook; and part/ complete V5C documents, etc, etc.
An older restoration (mechanical condition unknown), the car will require safety checks and recommissioning to a greater or lesser extent before returning to the road. While the engine runs, it should be noted that the radiator has been drained and its condition is unknown, hence the engine has been started only occasionally, most recently when the car was taken off the trailer and moved into Bonhams' Milton Keynes facility. It should also be noted that there is evidence of a leak from either an engine or gearbox seal.
All lots are sold 'as is/ where is' and Bidders must satisfy themselves as to the provenance, condition, age, completeness and originality prior to bidding. Visit the Bonhams Motorcycles website for all pertinent auction information.
