Description
One of the best known and most readily recognised vintage cars, the 'Bullnose' Morris had its roots in the Edwardian era. The first 'Oxford' 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.
The Bullnose was the car that W. R. Morris, later to become Lord Nuffield, had adopted the Ford policy of reducing prices to increase sales and obtain the cost benefits of quantity production.
Closely related to the Oxford, the cheaper Cowley used the American-built Continental engine at the time of its introduction in 1915, rather than the Oxford's expensive White & Poppe unit, before switching to one made by Hotchkiss' Coventry subsidiary in 1919. A close copy of the preceding Continental, the Hotchkiss engine was made in 1, 495cc, 11. 9hp form initially, a larger (1, 802cc) 13. 9hp version becoming available in 1923.
A reputation for quality and a drop in price saw the 'Bullnose' Cowley establish as Britain's most popular and iconic car, displacing the Model-T as the bestselling car in Britain by the early 1920s. In 1923, the cost of a new Morris Cowley was @£225
First registered in March 1923 & acquired by the current family in July 1987, with 2 registered previous owners this, Morris Cowley was the familys’ first vintage vehicle and as such has been much loved with many happy memories made over the years. During the winter months, it has been stored in outbuildings with a constant heat source present and packed full of blankets, as well as fluids being drained before any layups.
The car was put into hibernation in 2016 due to the very unfortunate passing of the owner. Since that time it was occasionally started and lubricated. The car is now offered for sale in order to fund the restoration of other cars and in aid of charity.
The car has recently been transported to Haynes Heritage Engineering (the museum’s workshop) in Somerset for a general health check and basic recommission. A copy of the invoice is available but in short, work was carried out to ensure the car could be started safely and be driven confidently with fresh fluids, battery and some minor repair work.
Since this work, the car has been stored at Haynes and has been started, driven and maintained occasionally by the technicians.
The car itself is a very honest and original example, carrying the vast majority of its tell-tale factory original parts.
There is no drastic rot or damage and can be enjoyed in its current state with some mechanical sympathy. The car consistently starts very quickly as easily and drives beautifully, considering it has had very little repair work in the last 8-10 years. It appears to be on its original carburetor and it is noted that many had a slightly improved option fitted as these can be a little temperamental – that said, once the knack is down, this little Austin is very useable as is.
Under the bonnet, the engine appears to be the original unit and doesn’t appear to have any major leaks or concerns. While at Haynes, it required very little in order to fire up, even after storage.
The car has not been MOT’d or fully commissioned so it is not sold as a fully road-worthy car and comes with no warranty – we would expect the buyer to understand that a car of this age will need some mechanical knowledge, sympathy and ongoing maintenance.
The car is being sold privately by the owner but is available to view at Haynes' Workshop in Somerset. The staff are able to answer some questions but this must be done via a pre booked appointment arranged with the seller.
