Lot Ended
Description
From a deceased estate; current owner since 2014; in regular use until
recently; gearbox removed to fit new clutch; new stainless steel exhaust; lots
of history; lots to like!
William Morris
introduced his first car, the 'Bullnose' Oxford, in 1913, starting a tradition
of Morris Oxfords that was to continue right up until 1971. The 15hp LA Series
Oxford Six was made between 1929 and 1933 and had a lusty 1,938 cc
six-cylinder engine mated to a 3-speed gearbox which gave it a top speed of
60mph. It was available as a Tourer, an elegant two-door Coupe and a four-door
Saloon, the latter with either a fabric or steel body.
Thanks to a joint venture with the American Edward G Budd who had
developed the tooling to mass produce steel bodies, the Saloon body was made
over the road in Cowley by Pressed Steel Company and was strikingly similar to
the contemporary Dodge Sedan with a large sliding sunroof. Initially of
all-steel construction, supply problems were such that it was replaced with a
coachbuilt wood-framed body in 1930.
Supplied
new by The Automotive Co of Wallington, Surrey in March 1930, this LA Series Six
has the wood-framed body which has stood the test of time well and the doors all
still fit snugly with no signs of play.
According
to notes on file, PG 7535 was first owned by a senior Army Officer in Surrey who
kept it until his death in the early 1970s. It was then acquired by Gerry Bull,
the Spares Officer of the Bullnose Club, who used it as a family car for many
years, including driving it to the South of France for holidays.
From 1997 – 2011 it was owned by a Mr and Mrs
Harris of Bristol, Morris Register members who clearly loved the car,
affectionately calling it Maurice and using it on various club events
and family weddings. There are
various invoices for routine upkeep during this period, including a rebuilt
cylinder head in 2012 when it also had a major service and tune-up with all
fluids changed, chassis points greased, Autovac overhauled, brakes, steering and
suspension all checked etc.
The current owner
acquired the car in May 2014 and there are invoices for what looks like a rear
brake overhaul in 2016 and new spark plugs in 2017. A couple of old MOTs from
2011 and 2012 imply that the car has covered some 1,200 miles since 2011, the
odometer currently showing 7,620 miles.
On offer
here from a deceased estate, we are told that the owner was in the process of
fitting a new clutch (hence why the gearbox has been removed) but sadly passed
away before the job was completed.
As you can see
in the photos, Maurice looks to be in good shape for a 95-year-old and comes
with some useful service manuals which will assist with getting the gearbox
reinstalled. A new stainless steel exhaust system is also present but not yet
fitted and there is a handy luggage trunk loosely attached at the rear.
There is also an original 36-page sales brochure on the Morris range of
cars for 1930 and 16 undated photos of the car as it looked a few years ago
plus a copy of a feature on the car when it was owned by the Harris family.
While the V5C states the capacity as 1,500cc this is almost certainly a mistake
and it should be 1,928cc.
Retaining his original
(transferable) Surrey-issue number plate, Maurice is a handsome looking beast
with a most inviting brown leather interior. On offer at no reserve, he now
needs an enthusiastic new custodian who can get him back on the road where he
belongs.
Consigned by James Dennison – 07970
309907 – [email protected]