The Farina-designed Morris Oxford saloon.
Victor kindly sent this photo in. He spotted this Morris saloon while driving through Budapest in 1968, and managed to record it in colour for posterity on his camera. He's interested in car registration numbers, and identified this lefthand drive Morris Oxford Series 5 as having been registered in Bucharest (Romania), hence the R plate on the bootlid. I wonder whether this car, registration 1-B-9575, survived?
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The Series V Morris Oxford.
The Series V Oxford was launched in 1959, and sold in this 'big fin' form until 1961 when the revised Series VI was introduced. The basic design was by Pininfarina, utilising tried and trusted British Motor Corporation (BMC) running gear. Various versions of the same basic design were built, with the Morris Oxford, and the Austin A55 Cambridge Mk2, being most numerous. Performance fans could opt for the Riley or MG version, whereas those looking for luxury might choose the Wolseley. Despite their close similarities, the two most popular versions were produced at different plants - the Austins at Longbridge, and the Morrises at Cowley.
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These early Farinas were powered by the 1489cc B Series engine, and were a bit under-powered by all accounts. They also had quite a narrow track, making the cars look a little over-bodied (my own '59 Cambridge is just the same!). In 1961 the revised Series VI Morris Oxford was introduced, echoing improvements that were evident in the new A60 Austin. The track was widened, the wheelbase lengthened slightly, and a larger 1622cc version of the engine was now a standard fitment. The fins were also trimmed down on the rear wings, necessitating new rear light clusters and trim.
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Return to Old Car Photos Page No. 8.
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