Morris Oxford 11.9hp Saloon

Bicycle manufacturer William Morris introduced his first car, the 'Bullnose' Oxford, in 1913, starting a tradition of Morris Oxfords that was to continue right up until 1971. With an enviable reputation for reliability and good build quality, by the end of the 1920's Morris had become Britain's largest car manufacturer holding a 51% share of its home market. 

The first Oxford models had 8.9hp White & Poppe engines but by 1919 these had been substituted with Coventry-made 11.9hp Hotchkiss engines which gave easy 50mph performance. A more conventional flat-fronted radiator replaced the distinctive ‘Bullnose’ type in late 1926, by which time the car had also gained four-wheel brakes. All-steel bodies, built under a licence negotiated with the American firm of Budd, were another introduction that year.

Easy to drive and maintain, the spacious and sturdy Oxford became Britain’s most popular car until sales were finally overtaken by the diminutive Austin Seven.

As a dashboard plaque confirms, this particular all-steel bodied Oxford was supplied new by Patrick Shinnie Ltd of College Street, Aberdeen, in May 1928. Within a short space of time it had found its way to Carmarthen in South Wales where it reputedly spent the next many years as a showroom exhibit in a local car dealership.

In around 1948 it was acquired by another garage in Swansea where it again lay largely unused in a shed in the back yard for another 30 years or more. The current vendor acquired the car from the Swansea garage in the 1980s by which time it was still in remarkably good condition although the interior had suffered somewhat from generations of school kids who had been using it as a den.

He repainted the car and had the interior retrimmed in blue vinyl before again putting it into storage along with a small collection of other vintage cars. During his 30+ years’ ownership the car has only been very sparingly used, mainly for attending the occasional car show and for regular bouts of film work via a local classic vehicle sourcing agency.

The car remains in very good condition throughout and is said to drive beautifully. It certainly fired up promptly and ran very quietly and smoothly as we moved it to take these photos. Whether the indicated mileage of just under 4,900 is correct is anyone's guess, although the vendor believes that, given the sheltered history of the car, it may not be too far wide of the mark. 

The car has recently been partially rewired, new tyres fitted all round and stop lamps and flashing indicators installed as a concession to modern road conditions. The car is otherwise believed to be largely original throughout and still retains its original Aberdeen ‘RS’ number plates. Altogether a beautifully preserved old car in good running order that should have many decades of useful life ahead of it.