Lot details
Registration No: PW 3580
Chassis No: 59902
Mot Expiry: None

OFF THE ROAD SINCE 1929

This time warp Bullnose Cowley was supplied new by Southgates of Fakenham, Norfolk to Cyril Case of Wells and registered on October 4th 1924. On March 9th 1927 it passed into the hands of J H Steel of the Crown Hotel, Fakenham and, the very same day, to Mary Loads of the Blue Bell Inn, Blakeney. She had the taxation class changed from Private to Hackney Carriage, with a quoted seating capacity of eight persons! The Cowley was then taken off the road at the end of 1929 and by the following year had been stored in an old fish shed in Sheringham, with another Bullnose of the same age for company. And there they lay undisturbed for the next 50 years!

The story of their discovery was considered sufficiently momentous to be reported in the Daily Telegraph, Daily Express and Observer. They were then entered in the April 1979 Sotheby's sale at Castle Donington, which is where the vendor acquired `PW 3580'. Christened `Bessie Bullnose' by his children, it has been dry stored from then until now, so all told has been driven for a mere five of its 88 years. The vendor informs us that the body is rusty but totally original (with the exception of some bonnet sections), as is the interior - even the tyres and battery appear to be the ones fitted to the Morris when brand new. The body frame and chassis are thought to be very sound and the engine apparently turns on the handle.

Needless to say a complete restoration is the order of the day, but one would probably have to wait a long time to find another such unmolested Bullnose. It comes complete with buff log book, V5, Sotheby's catalogue and documentation, newspaper cuttings, photos etc. A unique and exciting opportunity.