Description
This lot will be auctioned via Silverstone Auctions, The Dawn of Motoring Sale 2023 on Friday the 4th of August, The Lygon Arms, High Street, Broadway, WR12 7DU. 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 that first 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 made in 1, 548cc, 11. 9hp form initially, a larger (1, 802cc) 13. 9hp version becoming available in 1923. The Oxford received the larger 1, 800cc 13. 9hp unit with a 3-speed manual gearbox. Being essentially a French firm making machine gun parts in the Great War, Hotchkiss steadfastly produced their engines with metric threads. Morris got around this by putting Whitworth heads on the French nuts and bolts. During the early Hotchkiss production period, the Oxford and Cowley were similar in terms of chassis, but the Oxford was said to be better in terms of equipment and refinement. Interestingly, certain items like crown wheel and pinions and door hinges were acquired from the United States. 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. Easy to drive and maintain, the Bullnose Oxford was Britain's most popular car prior to the arrival of the Austin Seven.
David Biggins bought the car in the 1960s and subsequently restored it in the 1970s. The original four-seater body was scrapped as rotten and the current 1926 body fitted alongside the 1926 engine, which features a turbulent-type head and SU carburettor, providing better performance. The chassis, axles, and steering etc. are all still from the 1924 car. It has been much used and enjoyed by David for VSCC events, Bullnose Morris events etc. but it hasn’t seen active use for three years so will need some recommissioning prior to returning to the road. Very sensibly guided, it will make someone a great entry-level Vintage motorcar.
