Lot details Registration No: DS 8061 Chassis No: 208795 Mot Expiry: March 2006
William Morris was one of Britain's greatest pioneering motor manufacturers. Not only did he foresee the huge demand for private transport but he also revolutionised concepts of both marketing and production in order to satisfy it. Introduced in 1926, the 'Flatnose' Morris drew heavily on the design of its much-loved 'Bullnose' predecessor. Built on a light yet sturdy leaf-sprung ladder chassis and powered by a choice of two torquey four-cylinder sidevalve engines (11.9hp Cowley or 14hp Oxford) mated to a three-speed manual gearbox, it tackled the primitive period road network with aplomb. Famed for their durability, many 'Flatnoses' remained in regular use after WW2.
More than sixty years after it left the works on 16th June 1927 and was registered the following day as RU 5522 (or so a letter from the Bullnose Morris Club and a 1938 Continuation logbook in its history file would suggest), car number 208795 was purchased from a garage near Bourton on the Water by Robin Knott. A restoration project (albeit one with a new aluminium body and front wings), its rebuild took over eighteen months. Re-registered as DS 8061 and returned to the road on 1st March 1989, it passed through the hands of two further Bullnose Morris Club members (one of whom toured with it fairly extensively in France) before being acquired by the vendor's brother in law on 23rd April 1995. In the current ownership for the last seven years, it has covered a mere 150 miles or so despite being taxed and MOT'd throughout this time.
Finished in dark blue over black with a tan interior, its two door tourer bodywork has the added benefit of a dickey seat. Described as being "in good driveable condition but not up to show standards", DS 8061 is also said to start and run well. Recently fitted with new front tyres and a battery, it is offered for sale with a 1927 Morris Oxford & Cowley Manual, a 1926 Autocar handbook, copied parts catalogues / repair instructions, history file and sundry spares.
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