Morris Oxford Series II 20hp

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William Morris was a man with enormous vision and energy. A true 20th Century industrialist in the Victorian sense, the Morris empire rapidly grew from its humble origins in his bicycle shop in Oxford into the biggest car manufacturer in Great Britain.

Along the way, household names were absorbed into the business, including Wolseley, Riley, SU carburettors and of course MG. The Morris was always the mainstay of the business, making beautifully engineered, solid and reliable cars, more sporting offerings being left to the likes of MG and Riley.

William Morris had always been a fan of the large six-cylinder engine. As soon as he could he introduced one, the F-Type Bullnose arriving as early as 1922 with its 2,320cc side-valve six. It wasn’t one of his commercial successes with just 50 or so finding customers, but it did introduce the format into the range where it was to remain for the next 50 years.

In the 1930s, the Morris Six was a popular choice with the middle-class buyer. The styling was slightly on the conservative side, although Morris had been able to inject a 'certain something' from across the Atlantic which made sure that local bank manager didn’t look completely behind the times when he turned up for work.

The ‘Six’ turned into the 16hp in 1934 which referred to the fiscal horsepower rating, the same body also being offered with a bigger 20hp engine, no doubt a reaction to the news that the annual £1 per horsepower road tax was soon to be reduced.  Sales improved significantly and by 1935 the Morris range was taking 31% market share, making it the best selling marque in Britain. The 20hp soon got a larger 2,687cc ‘QF’ engine as fitted to this vehicle here, with 1935 models also getting separate front seats and a right-hand accelerator pedal.

Purchased in 2001 as a major restoration project from the Sidmouth area, the vendor undertook the necessary ground-up restoration which was completed by 2006. Photogaphs on file show that it was stripped to the bare chassis, all aspects of which were restored. The 20hp was sold with a curious vacuum assisted semi-automatic clutch which could be turned on and off when desired. Much of this mechanism was found to be missing, the vendor locating the bones of a system which he has installed for show purposes. It still retains its free-wheel and during the rebuild the engine was completely stripped and white-metaled and the characteristic Morris clutch recorked.

The vendor has completely retrimmed the seats in leather - a very professional looking job, and being rather tall made a separate, much thinner driver’s seat squab which will be included with the car. The sunroof and headlining were also replaced.

Beautifully appointed with folding picnic tables and foot rests, this most impressive car has covered under 1,000 miles since completion. The powerful engine means that long journeys are not a chore and it is ready for the show season.