1924 Morris Cowley 'Bullnose' Four-Seat Tourer

One of the best-known and most readily recognised vintage cars, the 'Bullnose' Oxford had its roots in the Edwardian era. The first examples, fitted with 8.9hp White & Poppe engines, were manufactured in 1913, embodying Morris' successful formula of offering technically unexciting but well-built and well-equipped cars at a bargain price. Production at Morris' Cowley factory began in March 1913, and by the end of the year, 393 cars had been sold. The Oxford and its close relation, the Continental-engined Cowley, evolved gradually, both models switching to engines made by Hotchkiss' Coventry subsidiary in 1919. A close copy of the Continental, the Hotchkiss engine was built in 1,548cc, 11.9hp form initially, a larger (1,802cc) 13.9hp version becoming available in 1923. A more conventional flat-fronted radiator replaced the distinctive 'Bullnose' type in late 1926, by which time four-wheel brakes had become standardised on the Oxford chassis. All-steel bodies, built under licence granted by the American Budd concern, were another new introduction that year. Easy to drive and maintain, the Bullnose Oxford was Britain's most popular car prior to the arrival of the Austin Seven and they remained a familiar sight on British roads until well into the 1960s.

This beautiful, well-cared for example of a 1924 Bullnose four-seat tourer has led an interesting life. It was used as intended as a private car until 1944 when the War effort necessitated that it was turned into an agricultural lorry. Post-War, it remained as a lorry and was used regularly until 1954 when it took to the fields earning a living as a 'turnip spreader', followed by a year transporting spare parts around a garage before being scrapped in 1965. Salvation arrived in May 1967 when our crumbling Bullnose was rescued from the breakers yard by one Kenneth Watson Bruce Esq. who returned it to good health with a smart four-seat touring body. The result was so impressive that SA 6959 was selected to feature as a 'background car' in the 1969 film “The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie” starring Gordon Jackson and Maggie Smith and set in Edinburgh. It obviously remained in Scotland as it was subsequently purchased in 1970 by Donal Cameron of the Creagdhu Hotel near Fort William, and used for trips up the Great Glen for his customers, before parting with the venerable Cowley in 1986. Our vendor became the sixth custodian in 2013 and he put his stamp on the car by rebuilding the engine and adding an SU carburettor, a well-known upgrade for this model.

The car is accompanied by a small history file, buff log book and a copy of a letter from the Bullnose Morris Club confirming its original numbers and some of its fascinating history. It's very well presented with some nice touches including the original Bullhorn, Klaxon and dash-mounted smokers pipe rack complete with an engraved silver Morris Vesta case. We understand that it drives particularly well considering its advancing age and certainly looks the part. A delightful example.