Classic cars forum & vehicle restoration.

[Rick]

Hi,

Does anyone here have any experience of owning a bullnose Morris? They strike me as being quite a usable old motor, especially the four seat tourer. Do they have any known weak areas? And what is a comfortable cruising speed?

All input welcome!

RJ
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[Colin D]

[Rick, I have never owned a bullnosed Morris, and I do like their appearance, but for me you cannot go past a Riley 9. They are very well engineered, cruise comfortably at 50 to 60 mph, are economical to run and spares are readily available from the Riley Register. I have driven mine for about 4 years after I spent 6 years rebuilding it from a trailer load of parts. It is reliable and sporty, and great fun to drive. Regards Colin. quote="Rick"]Hi,

Does anyone here have any experience of owning a bullnose Morris? They strike me as being quite a usable old motor, especially the four seat tourer. Do they have any known weak areas? And what is a comfortable cruising speed?

All input welcome!

RJ[/quote][img][/img][img][/img]

[Bayliss Thomas]

I have owned an dear old 'Bullnose', two versions are available the Cowley and the rather more upmarket Oxford. Both lovely cars and very strong club support available for parts and tech' assistance. Good reliable mechanicals and all very simple to maintain.
I would suggest the only thing to keep an eye out for is boiling up of radiator, most run very hot, the shape of the radiator doesn't help! So if you test drive make sure you put it through an good test drive and put the engine to work up hill if possible on an warm day. Having said all that if the cooling system has been correctly maintained it will be fine. So an good smooth car which will cruise happily at 35/40mph and give mid thirties fuel consumption. I would buy another without hesitation. Please PM me with any specific questions.
David.

[Salopian]

I drove a few hundred miles in a 1926 Oxford owned by a now gone friend some years ago. Always thought this was the best version and year combining 4 wheel brakes with the far nicer looks of the bull nose radiator plus in this case the bigger engine.
40 mph cruising which I would find painful and probably dangerous these days but a sweet and pleasant car for short journeys. I'd have one for such like a shot.
Considering Morris were building I think 700 a day once its amazing so few seem to be around now.
Mind you I would much prefer the Riley 9 with a suitable light body for fun motoring or even a decent open Alvis 12/50 (well I would wouldn't I) both of which can cope with modern traffic .
There was quite a fad in my youth in the fifties for bull noses which always seemed to be driven by pipe smokers!!
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Jonathan Butler
Alvis SD 12/50 1928 MG TD 1950

[victor 101]

On the subject of bullnose Morris's does anyone know if Pat Russell ever found a suitable vehicle, its been a while since she posted.

[Bayliss Thomas]

PIPE SMOKERS : on every good Bully was an pipe smokers companion set, happy days

[Nic Jarman]

I was with 2 Bullnoses during the Newmarket Pageant. Although the Talbot and Bullnose had similar cruising speed I can only describe the Bullnose's accelleration as tectonic. Saying that they are a lovely looking car and the owners agreed that they are fairly easy to live with but fitting modern parts onto them was a no-no. One had put a distributor on and it did not run right untill he fitted a rebuilt mag.
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1936 Morris 8 Series 1
1973 MGB roadster
1977 MG Midget 1500
Dax Rush

[Salopian]

You need to get your foot down Nic! Mind you I suspect you are running it in but a 14/45 should easily cruise at 50 plus surely - they are a little revvy on standard gearing perhaps.
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Jonathan Butler
Alvis SD 12/50 1928 MG TD 1950

[Nic Jarman]

Jonathan, the Talbot left the Morrisses even with a lower ratio diff fitted (to the Talbot). I had to stop and wait for them a couple of times. I suspect the performance will be similar to the 8. I do like the Bullnose.
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1936 Morris 8 Series 1
1973 MGB roadster
1977 MG Midget 1500
Dax Rush

[Nic Jarman]

Rick did you just buy this?
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/BULLNOSE-MORRIS-1924-SOLD-SORRY-/140436707363?pt=Automobiles_UK
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1936 Morris 8 Series 1
1973 MGB roadster
1977 MG Midget 1500
Dax Rush

[Rick]

[Salopian]

Nic I really was thinking of your cruising speed which you indicated was similar - you should be 10 mph faster I would have thought!

Looked a reasonable Bullnose on Ebay - is that what they are making now?
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Jonathan Butler
Alvis SD 12/50 1928 MG TD 1950

[Nic Jarman]

The 14/45 is a model 65, this is a possible top speed if it was stripped for racing so cruising at 50 is comfortable and the Bullnose can get to 50 too. The Bullnose does take a lot longer to get there.
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1936 Morris 8 Series 1
1973 MGB roadster
1977 MG Midget 1500
Dax Rush

[Keith D]

My '28 Cowley is a flatnose, not a bullnose, but is mechanically the same. I've got a better chance of becoming a mother than I have of getting it up to 50mph cruising!! (Except on a trailer perhaps!)

Keith

[Salopian]

Right thats it - I'm staying with the Alvis (80 guaranteed by the makers when new and cruises at 60 easily) and the Sunbeam (good for 75 -80 cruise 55-60 happily). The MG TD is (over)geared up and tuned a little so if you can get it there 65 all day.
I've clearly been spoilt! (and we don't want any unexpec ted Antipodean pregnancies).
Mind you I'd still like a 1926 Oxford bullnose----
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Jonathan Butler
Alvis SD 12/50 1928 MG TD 1950