Morris Oxford | |
---|---|
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 motor car models produced by Morris of the United Kingdom, from the 1913 'bullnose' Oxford to the Farina Oxfords V and VI.
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 two-seater | |
---|---|
Overview | |
Production | 1913–1919
|
Powertrain | |
Engine | W&P 1018 cc side-valve Straight-4 |
William Morris's first car was called Oxford in recognition of its home city. It was announced in The Autocar magazine in October 1912 and production began in March 1913. [2] Virtually all components were bought-in and assembled by Morris. It was a small car with a 1018 cc four-cylinder side-valve engine with fixed cylinder head from White & Poppe.
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]
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]
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 1919–1926 | |
---|---|
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 Cowley. Longer and stronger than the old Oxford, enough to carry five passengers, the new Oxford retained the pre-war Bullnose radiator style in its larger version. [1] From August 1919, the Cowley became the downmarket "no frills" variant with only a 2-seater body and lighter smaller tyres. [5] The new car's 11.9 fiscal horsepower 1548 cc engine was made under licence in Coventry for Morris by a British branch of Hotchkiss the French ordnance company. [1]
In 1923 the engine was enlarged to 13.9 fiscal horsepower, 1802 cc. [6] This became known as the 14/28 engine. In 1925 it got a longer wheelbase chassis to move it further from the Cowley, and four-wheel brakes. [6] This model of the Oxford would be the basis of the first MG, the 14/28 Super Sports.
1926 mid-year switch to flatnose
Oxford F-Type Silent Six | |
---|---|
Overview | |
Production | 1921-1926 |
Powertrain | |
Engine | 69.5 x 102mm 2322 cc 17.97 hp side-valve 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. [7] The first open four-seater tourer was sold to Lord Redesdale. Only 50 were made and, after the initial run, they were assembled to special order. It remained available until 1926. The 2320 cc engine proved unreliable, two intense vibration periods weakened and broke crankshafts and few were sold.
Oxford flatnose | |
---|---|
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 | |
---|---|
Overview | |
Manufacturer | Morris Motors Limited [9] [10] |
Production | 1926-1929 |
Powertrain | |
Engine | 2513 cc side-valve Straight-4 [10] |
The 2½-litre Oxford 15.9Empire 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 | |
---|---|
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 | |
---|---|
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:
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]
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]
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 Twenty | |
---|---|
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.
Nuffield's Oxford Taxi was produced from 1947 to 1953
Oxford MO | |
---|---|
Overview | |
Also called | Hindustan Fourteen (India) |
Production | 1948–1954 159,960 produced. [17] |
Body and chassis | |
Related | Wolseley 4/50 / 6/80 |
Powertrain | |
Engine | 1476 cc side-valve Straight-4 |
Chronology | |
Predecessor | Morris Ten series M Morris Twelve Morris Fourteen |
Successor | Morris Oxford series II |
After the Second World War the much larger 13.5-fiscal horsepower Oxford Series MO replaced the range of ten-horsepower series M, Morris Twelve and Morris Fourteen. It was announced on 26 October 1948, along with the new 918 cc Morris Minor and the 2.2-litre Morris Six MS. Designed by Alec Issigonis, the Oxford, along with the Minor, introduced unibody construction techniques. [18] The MO was sold as a 4-door saloon and 2-door Traveller estate with an exposed wooden frame at the rear. Both were four-seaters. A six-cylinder version was sold as the Morris Six MS. It was replaced by the Oxford Series II, announced Tuesday 18 May 1954. [19]
Oxford II | |
---|---|
Overview | |
Production | 1954–1956 87,341 produced [20] |
Body and chassis | |
Related | Morris Cowley, Hindustan Landmaster |
Powertrain | |
Engine | 1489 cc B-Series Straight-4 |
The extensively redesigned Oxford announced in May 1954 [19] was given a new shape directly foreshadowing the BMC ADO17 and, following the formation of BMC, being fitted with the Austin-designed B-Series OHV straight-4. [21] Styling was entirely new though the rounded body maintained a family resemblance to the Morris Minor. [22] 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.
Oxford III | |
---|---|
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 Series IV | |
---|---|
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 | |
---|---|
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 | |
---|---|
Overview | |
Production | 1961–1971 208,823 produced [20] |
Powertrain | |
Engine | 1622 cc BMC B-Series engine Straight-4 |
Chronology | |
Successor | 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 diesel-engined Oxford Series VI, introduced shortly after the 1961 update, was popular as a taxi. Variants of the same diesel engine enjoyed a long life in marine applications.
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.
Singer Motors Limited was a British motor vehicle manufacturing business, originally a bicycle manufacturer founded as Singer & Co by George Singer, in 1874 in Coventry, England. Singer & Co's bicycle manufacture continued. From 1901 George Singer's Singer Motor Co made cars and commercial vehicles.
The Morris Isis name was first briefly used by Morris Motors Limited on a 6-cylinder car made from 1929 until 1931. It was resurrected on a new 6-cylinder midsize car from the British Motor Corporation in the 1950s to replace the Morris Six MS.
Morris Cowley was a name given to various cars produced by Morris from 1915 to 1958.
SS Cars was a British manufacturer of sports saloon cars from 1934 until wartime 1940, and from March 1935 of a limited number of open 2-seater sports cars. From September 1935, their new models displayed a new name: SS Jaguar. By then, its business, which was founded in 1922, was run by and largely owned by William Lyons. Lyons had been partner with 1922 co-founder William Walmsley until Walmsley sold his shareholding in January 1935.
The Morris Minor is a small 4-seater car with an 850 cc engine manufactured by Morris Motors Limited from 1928 until 1934. The name was resurrected for another newer car for the same market in 1948.
The Triumph Dolomite is a car that was produced by Triumph Motor Company from 1934 to 1940. It first appeared in 1934 as a sports car and the name was also used from 1937 on a series of sporting saloons and open cars until 1939 when the company went into receivership. A number were still sold and registered in 1940, though it is uncertain whether the receiver or new owner turned out cars from spare parts, or sold off completed cars. All except the Straight 8 featured a "waterfall" grille styled by Walter Belgrove, versions of the saloons with conventional grilles were sold as Continental models.
The MG 14/28 Super Sports is a sports car that was launched in 1924. It was the second line of cars produced by W R Morris's MG company. The first line of cars were 1548cc Morris Oxfords fitted with a two-seater body supplied by Charles Raworth & Sons of Oxford. They were built at first in small premises in Alfred Lane, Oxford moving in 1925 to a larger site shared with Morris Motors Limited radiator factory at Bainton Road, Oxford. The badge on the front of the car still read Morris Oxford, MG badges were not to appear on the car's nose until 1928 but they did appear below the Morris badge on the honeycomb of the last of the 14-28 cars which had flat nose radiators.
The Morris Ten is a medium-sized car introduced for 1933 as the company's offering in the important 10 hp sector of the British market. It continued through a series of variants until October 1948 when along with Morris's Twelve and Fourteen it was replaced by the 13.5 hp Morris Oxford MO.
The Austin Light Twelve-Six is a 14 tax horsepower car with a 1496 cc engine that was introduced by Austin in January 1931. It was named by Austin Light Twelve to separate it from the well-established Austin Twelve. The general public then dubbed the original Twelve Heavy Twelve but Austin never used that name. The Light Twelve-Six remained in production until 1936.
The Hillman Fourteen is a medium-sized 4-cylinder car announced by Hillman's managing director Spencer Wilks, a son-in-law of William Hillman, at the end of September 1925. This new Fourteen substantially increased Hillman's market share and remained on sale into 1931. During this time it was the main product of the company.
The Rover 12 was a name given to several medium-sized family cars from the British Rover car company between 1905 and 1948.
Morris Oxford Series MO is an automobile produced by Morris Motors of the United Kingdom from 1948 to 1954. It was one of several models to carry the Morris Oxford name between 1913 and 1971.
The Morris Major is an automobile produced by Morris Motors in the United Kingdom from late 1930 until 1933. It was described by commentators as a Morris Oxford Six with a coachbuilt saloon body. 4025 examples of the 1931 model were produced followed by 14,469 of the 1932-33 model.
The Hillman Wizard 75, Hillman Twenty 70, Hillman Hawk and their long wheelbase variants Hillman Seven Seater and Hillman 80 models were a series of 20 horsepower medium priced 5-7 seater executive cars made by Hillman during the 1930s.
Morris Twelve is a model of Morris car introduced without fanfare in the autumn of 1934 as little more than a larger engined Morris Ten Four for which just another £5 was asked. The chassis and body were of the slow-selling longer wheelbase Ten Six. The engine though awarded a tax rating of 11.98 hp had a cubic capacity of 1548cc compared with Morris's 1292cc (10 hp) Ten Four and 1378cc (12.09 hp) Ten Six.
Morris Oxford is a series of motor car models produced by Morris Motors of the United Kingdom, from the 1913 bullnose Oxford to the Farina Oxfords V and VI. The manufacture of Morris's Oxford cars, named by W R Morris after the university town in which he grew up, would turn Oxford into an industrial city.
Morris Oxford is a series of motor car models produced by Morris Motors of the United Kingdom, from the 1913 bullnose Oxford to the Farina Oxfords V and VI.
Morris Oxford is a series of motor car models produced by Morris Motors of the United Kingdom, from the 1913 bullnose Oxford to the Farina Oxfords V and VI.
The Morris Oxford Six is a motor car produced by Morris of the United Kingdom from 1921 until 1926, and again from 1929 until 1935. Initially produced as a straight-six engined version of the Morris Oxford bullnose, the original Oxford Six was the first car produced by Morris with a six-cylinder engine, but proved to be unreliable. The versions produced from 1929 onwards were introduced as a replacement for the Morris Oxford 16/40.
The "bullnose" Morris Oxford is a series of motor car models produced by Morris of the United Kingdom, from 1913 to 1926. It was named by W R Morris after the city in which he grew up and which his cars were to industrialise.
Footnotes
Bibliography