History

One of only 5,500 made
Rare right-hand drive example
Excellent provenance
Former Jaguar Land Rover Heritage car
Previously owned by Celebrity Chef Keith Floyd in the ’90s

The Appeal

To simply suggest that the MO-Series Oxford is an enlarged version of a Minor would be a discredit to its range of abilities. There’s nothing wrong with a Minor as millions can testify, but the installation of the robust 1.5-litre engine is what makes the Oxford a much more usable option. Serving as a roomy robust family car, with ample space for luggage too it was created with exports in mind. The American-influenced styling is evident in the chrome touches and cabin design, which adds a little glamour to the proceedings. They were first seen in 1948, and the Traveller versions appeared in 1952. Only 5,500 were made, with more than half going to export. These early variants of the MO Series Oxfords have become hard to find in RHD UK spec form, with survivors now thought to be in the single digits.

Part of a private car collection, this 1953 Oxford Traveller saw restoration in the late 1980s and was then owned for a period by celebrity chef, the late Keith Floyd. Prior to this, a number of fascinating owner notes detailing its travels up to the 1990s have been kept. This also includes service records from the first two decades of its life, as well as more recent invoices and MOTs. Furthermore, Jaguar Land Rover are documented as a recent former keeper, suggesting it was in their hands as a heritage car and possibly stored at their Gaydon facility. It comes with an MOT to June 2023 and its V5 registration document.

The History and Paperwork

V5c present
MOT June 2023
MOT and tax exempt
Currently part of a private collection
Impressive province of two binders including service records from the 1950s and 1960s
Restored in the late 80s, with many of the originals panels retained
Heritage certificate included
Comes with a selection of invoices and old MOT certificates
Extensive notes and magazine articles on the car
Re-registered with age-related plates two years ago

The Interior

The interior trim is all present and correct
Door cards and headlining intact, with minor signs of age
Light but pleasing patina noted on the metal facia, steering wheel and controls
All controls and dials are said to function
Carpets damp free with light wear
Leather seats appear to be original, with age-related wear but free of significant damage
Carpeted boot appears to be lightly used

The Exterior

The chassis appears to be solid
Decent floor pan, sills and inner wings
The body is solid and free of dents with just minor signs of age on the lower sections of the body
Panel fit is flush, with no issues regarding the opening and closing of the doors
Light dents were noted on the rear section of the roof and mild corrosion above the front passenger section of the roof
Paint coverage even with age-related marks, but still within the realm of a positive presentation
Most chrome trim items are lightly pitted but are believed to be original
Glass intact, some rubber seals show signs of age
Rear wooden structure generally solid but does show deterioration
Tyres are likely to be over 20 years old but are in good shape
The wheels and hub trims are clean

The Mechanics

1.5-litre engine starts and runs well, with some light smoke noted on startup
Engine temperature and oil pressure are said to be stable
No fluid leaks were noted on the day
The engine presentation is clean, with visual evidence of previous maintenance
Hoses and ancillaries intact
Stainless steel exhaust
No reported issues with the gearbox or clutch
Said to drive well with no significant issues with steering or suspension

Summary

Never has practicality and 1950s rarity gone so well together. Offering more space and power than the humble Minor Traveller, this early MO Series Traveller also benefits from decent mechanical parts backup and the promise of active and helpful owners' clubs. An honest example of a solid car with a fascinating back story, it could easily serve as a roomy and leisurely but dependable summer hack.

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