1. Morris Cowley 'flatnose'.
Firstly thanks to Ben who sent the Cowley photo in, it shows his grandfather's old car, seen on what looks like a family outing (maybe a picnic) sometime in the pre-war years. They were able to identify the car as a 1927 Morris Cowley tourer, the "flatnose" variety. The model earned this nickname thanks to its traditionally-styled radiator, compared to the bulbous rad found on what became known as the "bullnose" Morris Cowleys and Oxfords.
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The Morris shown above, registration EA 3038, was first registered in the West Bromwich area. Note the twin sidemounts (spare wheels) fitted to the nearside of this example, and also the Boyce Motometer temperature gauge fitted to the radiator filler cap. Unusually for what looks like a sunny day, the hood is raised. Perhaps this was to prevent sap from the tree overhead dropping onto the car's upholstery?
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The Oxford and Cowley models were regarded as reliable and easy to drive motorcars. The bullnose radiator seen on the earlier cars was replaced with the more upright version shown here, at the Motor Show of 1926. In the early 1920s the Morris' engine was sourced from the Hotchkiss et Cie factory in Coventry, a company that Morris bought out in 1923, increasing the factory's output tenfold to keep up with the demand for Morris cars.
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2. Morris Oxford of 1928.
Next, three photos sent over by Peter Scott, a regular on this site's forum. They show his family's 1928 Morris Oxford, reg. LS 1855. The Oxford belonged to his grandfather, although it was often Peter's mother (seen here sat on a fine Ariel motorcycle) that did much of the driving. As the Oxford and Cowley were very similar motorcars, I've included these shots on this page.
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3. Another flat-rad Morris, seen in 1930.
Peter Mowlam sent these photos over, hoping that the car could be identified. Definitely a Morris, most likely the Oxford version. Whereas other cars already shown on this page are tourers, this Morris is a four door saloon. The photo was taken at Oxhill in Warwickshire, August 1930. As with the car in Peter Scott's photos above, this Morris has a registration ending in "55". Peter's mother is shown stood alongside the car in the first photo below, with her sister behind the wheel. His mother is also shown in the side view of the Morris, sat in the driver's seat - a posed shot as Peter says that she couldn't drive. The identity of the other people isn't known. Thanks for sending the pics over!
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4. Morris Cowley.
Next is this photo of a vintage Cowley, parked in a countryside location. Keith on the forum identified it as a Cowley, I hadn't realised but one way to differentiate Cowleys from Oxfords is that the former has 3-stud wheels, the latter 5-stud. The Cowley also has low-set headlamps bolted to supports attached to the chassis below, whereas the Oxford has a cross bar between the front wings. This particular Cowley sports a roll-up radiator blind, which, when also taking into account the clothing being worn, suggests a winter's day scene.
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5. Another flat-rad Morris Cowley.
Old photos featuring vintage Morrises just keep turning up - this one shows a thoughtful gentleman, stood alongside his Cowley. The presence of a liquid on the road beneath his Morris may be the reason for his less-than-cheerful expression. Although you almost need a magnifying glass to see it, just visible in the distant background, lefthand side, is an early road roller.
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6. A 2-seat Morris tourer.
The high-set headlamps look like they may be from a flat-rad Oxford, but the three-stud wheels identify this car as a 2 seater Morris Cowley. Thanks to Elma for the photo.
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Return to Old Vehicle Photos Page 8.
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