c1912 Morris 'Speedster Replica'

Description

Announced in 1912, the first car made by William Morris was badged the Oxford after his home city and quickly became known as the ‘Bullnose’ due to the distinctive radiator shell.  Using a large number of proprietary components, including the 1018cc engine with a fixed cylinder head from White & Poppe, the Oxford was initially available only as a two-seater but from 1913 onwards a longer wheelbase Deluxe model became available.  Morris subsequently offered the new Cowley alongside the smaller Oxford from April 1915; sharing the same distinctive ‘Bullnose’ radiator shell, the Cowley was built on a wider, longer wheelbase frame and used a more powerful 1495cc side-valve four-cylinder engine supplied by the Continental Motor Manufacturing Co. of Detroit.  Oxford production resumed in 1919 following the First World War, using a larger 1548cc engine and continued until 1926.  The Oxford and its sister Cowley models were also exported to Australia in large numbers and many were bodied by local coachbuilders; they remain an affordable and popular entry into the vintage car scene, with a thriving club scene and plenty of support from specialists here and abroad.  One of the most distinctive cars of the Edwardian and Vintage eras, the 8.9 horsepower ‘Bullnose’ Morris enjoys a loyal following amongst car enthusiasts worldwide and early examples like the vehicle on offer here rarely come up for sale.