Morris Oxford
Morris Oxford | |
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Overview | |
Manufacturer | Morris Motors British Motor Corporation British Leyland |
Production | 1913–1935 1948–1971 |
Body and chassis | |
Class | Compact car |
Chronology | |
Successor | Morris Marina |
Morris Oxford is a series of
Named by W R Morris after "the city of dreaming spires", the university town in which he grew up, the manufacture of Morris's Oxford cars would turn Oxford into an industrial city.
From 1913 to mid-1935 Oxford cars grew in size and quantity. In 1923 they, together with the Cowley cars were 28.1 per cent of British private car production. In 1925 Morris sold near double the number and they represented 41 per cent of British production. Meanwhile, Oxfords grew larger from the first 1018 cc, Nine horsepower, two-seater car to the last 2½-litre Twenty horsepower car.
The model name was recycled in 1948 and lasted almost another 23 years through to 1971 but in this time the market sector and engine-size remained nearly constant between 1476 cc and 1622 cc.
Oxford bullnose 1913–19
Oxford bullnose two-seater | |
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Overview | |
Production | 1913–1919
Straight-4 |
William Morris's first car was called Oxford in recognition of its
The car got its popular name, Bullnose, from its distinctive round-topped radiator at first called the bullet nose. Most bodies were of the two-seat open-tourer type. There was also a van version, but the chassis did not allow four-seat bodies to be fitted, because it was not strong enough and too short.[3]
Bullnose de luxe
It was first displayed at the Olympia Motor Show which opened 7 November 1913. The standard model remained in production unchanged. The new de luxe had a longer wheelbase, 90 in (2,300 mm), and track was now 45 in (1,100 mm). The range of bodies was now expanded from the simple two-seater. Its front axle and steering had been re-designed to reduce "bump-steer"and its radiator capacity increased.[2]
Cowley
The American engined Continental Cowley, with most other significant components US sourced, shown to the press in April 1915, was a 50 percent larger engined (1495 cc against 1018 cc), longer, wider and better equipped version of this Morris Oxford with the same "Bullnose" radiator.[2]
The Cowley's stronger and larger construction could carry a four-passenger body.[2]
Oxford bullnose 1919–26
Oxford bullnose 1919–1926 | |
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Overview | |
Production | 1919–1926 |
Powertrain | |
Engine | 69.5 x 102mm CA & CB or 75 x 102mm CE 1548 cc 11.9 hp 1802 cc 13.9 hp 14/28[4] |
The 1919 Oxford (advertised as early as September 1918) was assembled from locally made components and now took on the rather more substantial aspect of 1915's
14/28
In 1923 the engine was enlarged to 13.9 fiscal horsepower, 1802 cc.
1926 mid-year switch to flatnose
Oxford Six F-type bullnose
Oxford F-Type Silent Six | |
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Straight-6[4] |
A short-lived 17 hp six-cylinder variant, The F-Type Oxford Six, was displayed for the first time as a four seated cabriolet at the November 1922 Olympia Motor Show.
Oxford flatnose 1926–30
Oxford flatnose | |
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Overview | |
Production | 1926–1930 (4-cylinder) 32,282 made.[8] |
Powertrain | |
Engine | 1802 cc side-valve Straight-4 |
The distinctive bullnose radiator was dropped in 1926 in an updated version of the car. The engines remained the same but a new range of bodies was offered including all-steel saloons.[6] There were substantial changes to the chassis frame which was now firmly fixed to the bulkhead or scuttle. The radiator cooling surface was increased sixty per cent[9]
Oxford 15.9
Oxford 15.9 | |
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Overview | |
Manufacturer | Morris Motors Limited[9][10] |
Production | 1926-1929 |
Powertrain | |
Engine | 2513 cc side-valve Straight-4[10] |
The 2½-litre Oxford 15.9 Empire model was displayed as "a Colonial Chassis" at the Olympia Motor Show of October 1926.[9] The standard coachwork is a four or five seater body with four doors.[11]
The car can be driven safely through 20 inches, 510 mm, of water. The ground clearance is 10¼ inches, 260 mm. A full 11 inches, 278 mm, is allowed at the forward running board bracket cross stay. This clearance is now greater than on many American cars. This "falsifies hostile propaganda to the contrary".[10] This Oxford 15.9 was replaced by another four cylinder Oxford, Oxford 16/40.[12]
Oxford 16/40
Oxford 16/40 | |
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Overview | |
Also called | Oxford 15.9 all details above |
Chronology | |
Predecessor | Oxford four 15.9 |
Successor | Oxford Six |
A revised version of the slow-selling 4-cylinder 15.9 it was announced in September 1928. It was probably given this new name before the announcement of the 15.9 horsepower Oxford Six. There were minor improvements of appearance but this was no more than a 15.9 with a new name.[12]
This 16/40 was replaced by Oxford Six 15.9 hp.[12]
Oxford Six 1929–1934
Oxford Six | |
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Overview | |
Production | 1929–1932 [8] |
Powertrain | |
Engine | 1938 cc side-valve Straight-6 2062 cc |
A 1938 cc six-cylinder version, the LA series Oxford Six, was made between 1929 and 1933. It was much more successful than the 1920 version.[8] The all-steel body was made over the road at Cowley by W R Morris's joint venture with American Edward G Budd, Pressed Steel Company. It had striking similarities to a recent Dodge body. By 1930 supply problems were such that it was replaced by a similar but coachbuilt (wood framed) body.
In August 1930 a shorter chassis more expensive version was announced and named Morris Major Six,[13]
For other Morris Sixes:
Upgrade
In September 1932, the gearbox gained a fourth speed and the engine grew to 2062 cc with the Q-series unit.[14]
Direction indicators, a set of three coloured lights on each side of the car visible from front and rear were fitted. Controlled from a switch on the dashboard they permitted accurate indications of planned movements while the car's windows remain shut.[14]
Automatism
The Oxford, Isis and Twenty-five were singled out and given "automatic clutch control" described by The Times as automatism. The Oxford also received a governable free-wheel, bigger seats, a spare wheel cover and concealed ashtrays for back seat passengers.[15] The chassis frame was quite new and now also contained a cruciform shape.[15]
Tax relief
This Oxford Six was renamed Oxford Sixteen in September 1934 and placed within the new 16 to 25 horsepower range of Morris Big Sixes expanded in view of the 25 per cent reduction in Horse Power tax expected in 1935.[16]
Oxford Sixteen and Oxford Twenty 1934–35
Oxford Sixteen and Twenty | |
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Overview | |
Production | 1934–1935 6308 made[8] |
Body and chassis | |
Related | Isis, Cowley |
Powertrain | |
Engine |
The Six name was changed to Sixteen, from the car's 16 hp tax horsepower category, in September 1934 when its 2062 cc engine was joined by the 2561 cc Twenty sold for the same price, the size of engine being the only difference. There was an intermediate eighteen horsepower Isis. Two styles of coachwork were available, the saloon and a Special coupé both fitted with a Pytchley sliding head (sunroof) and the sliding head was wired for radio.[16]
Barely nine months later these cars were superseded by members of the Morris Big Six series II range: Sixteen or Eighteen and Twenty-one or Twenty Five announced 2 July 1935.
The Oxford name disappeared from new Morris cars until 1948.
Oxford Taxi
Nuffield's Oxford Taxi was produced from 1947 to 1953
Oxford Series MO 1948–54
Oxford MO | |
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Morris Oxford series II |
After the Second World War the much larger 13.5-
Oxford Series II 1954–56
Oxford II | |
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B-Series Straight-4 |
The extensively redesigned Oxford announced in May 1954 Sales remained strong when the Series III arrived in 1956.
A 2.6-litre six-cylinder 7-inches longer Morris Isis version was announced 12 July 1955 with a saloon or Traveller estate body.
Hindustan Motors of India produced the four-cylinder version of this car (except the air-vent situated upon the bonnet) naming it Hindustan Landmaster.
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Morris Oxford Series II saloon
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Morris Oxford Series II Traveller
Oxford Series III 1956–59
Oxford III | |
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Overview | |
Production | 1956–1959 58,117 produced inc. Series IV;[20] |
Body and chassis | |
Related | Hindustan Ambassador |
Powertrain | |
Engine | 1489 cc BMC B-Series engine Straight-4 |
The Oxford was updated for 1957 with a new fluted bonnet and small rear fins and an optional two-tone paint scheme all announced on 18 October 1956.[23] A semi-automatic, two pedal, "Manumatic" transmission with centrifugal clutch with vacuum operation coupled to gear changes was optional. The woody Series III Traveller was replaced by the Series IV in 1957, though the saloon remained in production until the Pininfarina-styled Series V was introduced in 1959. 58,117 Series III and Series IV Oxfords were built.
Oxford Traveller all-steel Series IV 1957–60
Oxford Traveller Series IV | |
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Overview | |
Production | 1957–1960 58,117 produced inc Series III |
Powertrain | |
Engine | 1489 cc BMC B-Series engine Straight-4 |
The Oxford Traveller Series IV was made only as an estate version, it was Morris' first all-steel "unibody" estate car, replacing the "woody" Series III Traveller, it was similar to the Series III saloon in almost all respects. Because it was based on the series III saloon, but there was already a series III "Woody" Traveller (also based on the series III saloon) and there was no series IV saloon, BMC christened this model the "Morris Oxford Traveller Series IV" the order of wording being so as to emphasise it was a new estate car model. The IV was introduced in 1957 and production continued until April 1960 when the Farina-bodied series V Traveller was available.
Early models were manufactured having a single colour and fitted with a column-change gearbox. When refreshed in 1958 most Travellers we sold with a dual-tone painwork scheme, although the previous single colour scheme remained available. The update also included a floor change gearbox and corresponding cut-out in the front bench seat to allow its operation..
Oxford Series V 1959–61
Oxford Series V | |
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Overview | |
Production | 1959–1961 87,432 produced[20] |
Powertrain | |
Engine | 1489 cc BMC B-Series engine Straight-4 |
For 1959, the Oxford, announced on Lady Day 25 March 1959,[26] was merged into the mid-sized Pininfarina-designed BMC Farina range along with a half-dozen other previously announced models, including the 1958 Wolseley 15/60 and 1959 Riley 4/68, Austin A55 Cambridge Mark II, and MG Magnette Mark III. The Series IV Traveller was still sold for the first year after which a Series V Traveller was made.
In all, 87,432 Series V Oxfords were built.
Oxford Series VI 1961–71
Oxford Series VI | |
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Morris 1800 (ADO17 "Landcrab") Morris Marina |
All five Farina cars were updated in October 1961[27] with a new 1.6-litre (1622 cc/98 in3) version of the B-Series engine, longer wheelbase and a new revised look. The tail fins had been trimmed and there were still detail changes between the marques. The Morris retained the Series V dash, while the Austin had an all-new fake woodgrain design. The Morris Oxford Traveller (estate) Series V was replaced by a Series VI, although little changed apart from the front grille.
A
The Oxford VI remained in production until 1971 with more than 200,000 produced. The Oxford range was to have been replaced by the 1967 Morris 1800, but in the event was kept going because, in terms both of pricing and of interior space, the 1800 fell into the market segment of a larger car and therefore could not constitute a suitable replacement. The Oxford VI only ceased production on the introduction of the Morris Marina, which also succeeded the smaller Morris Minor.
References
Footnotes
- ^ a b c L P Jarman and R I Barraclough, The Bullnose and Flatnose Morris, David & Charles, Newton Abbott, UK 1976
- ^ ISBN 0 7153 6665 3
- ISBN 1-57958-293-1.
- ^ ISBN 978-0-7478-0491-8
- ^ "Light" Cars. The Times, Saturday, Feb 21, 1920; pg. 5; Issue 42340
- ^ ISBN 1-870979-53-2.
- ^ The Motor Show. The Times, Tuesday, Nov 07, 1922; pg. 5; Issue 43182
- ^ ISBN 1-870979-38-9.
- ^ a b c The Motor Show. The Times, Monday, Oct 25, 1926; pg. 24; Issue 44411
- ^ a b c British Models (by John Phillimore.). The Times, Tuesday, Apr 05, 1927; pg. xxix; Issue 44548
- ^ Cars Of To-Day. The Times, Tuesday, Jun 28, 1927; pg. 11; Issue 44619.
- ^ a b c Cars Of 1929. The Times, Monday, Sep 03, 1928; pg. 9; Issue 44988
- ^ The Times, Saturday, Aug 30, 1930; pg. 12; Issue 45605
- ^ a b The Times, Thursday, Sep 01, 1932; pg. 7; Issue 46227
- ^ a b Cars Of 1934. The Times, Monday, Aug 28, 1933; pg. 6; Issue 46534
- ^ a b The Times, Tuesday, Sep 04, 1934; pg. 14; Issue 46850
- ISBN 0-9541063-9-3.
- ^ "Morris Oxford Saloon (road test)". Autocar. 9 September 1949.
- ^ a b Morris Oxford. The Times, Wednesday, May 19, 1954; pg. 4; Issue 52935
- ^ ISBN 1-870979-39-7.
- ^ "When the worm turns...or the pinion rotates.". Practical Motorist. 7 (nbr 84): 1278–1279. August 1961.
- The Motor. 29 September 1954.
- ^ Morris. The Times, Thursday, Oct 18, 1956; pg. 3; Issue 53665
- ^ New B.M.C. Models. The Times, Friday, Aug 23, 1957; pg. 11; Issue 53927
- ^ 'Double Bed' New Estate Cars. The Times, Wednesday, Sep 28, 1960; pg. 4; Issue 54888
- ^ New Morris Oxford. The Times, Wednesday, Mar 25, 1959; pg. 8; Issue 54418
- ^ The British Motor Corporation. The Times, Wednesday, Oct 18, 1961; pg. 7; Issue 55215
Bibliography
- Davis, Pedr (1986). The Macquarie Dictionary of Motoring.