Lot 304 - 1931 Morris Cowley

Morris Motors began in 1912 when bicycle manufacturer William Morris moved on from the sale, hire and repair of cars to car manufacturing. He planned a new light car assembled from bought-in components. In this way he was able to retain ownership by keeping within the bounds of his own capital resources. A factory was opened in 1913 at former Oxford Military College at Cowley, Oxford, where Morris's first car the two seat Morris Oxford 'Bullnose' was assembled. Nearly all the major components were bought-in. Morris Cowley was a name given to various cars produced by the Morris Motor Company from 1915 to 1958. In 1926, the Bullnose radiator was replaced by a flat version known as the Flatnose. These cars were built by Morris until 1931. The chassis was new and the suspension was updated with semi elliptic leaf springs all round plus Smiths friction type scissor shock absorbers. The brakes are rod and spring operated with cams inside the drums to actuate. It is interesting to note that the rear brake drums include two sets of shoes, one of which is connected directly to the handbrake. The basic 'Hotchkiss type' of engine continued on from the Bullnose of previous years.

This Flatnose Morris with a solid nickel radiator was purchased by the owner in 2016 shortly before falling ill. Presented in blue coachwork with blue matching trim this example has recently been recommissioned after being stored for some six years and although running we would advise some further recommissioning and certainly new tyres. In 2015 in a pre-purchase inspection by the Morris registry the car was described as restored to original. Supplied with this Morris Flatnose is a buff logbook and the original handbook. Also supplied with the car is the current V5C registration document and many magazines and manuals. This could be a very useable pre-war car, and with further recommissioning will make for delightful and practical pre-war ownership.

Guide Price £5,000 - £8,000