Marque: Morris - Company History & Models - Cars By Brand

Now with a devoted following, the TC (Twin Carburetors) Marinas were fitted with the MGB 1.8 B-series engine and came with either two (coupe) or four (saloon) door bodies. Performance was indeed brisk although handling was very interesting due to a chronic understeer. From the Marina range’s facelift the TC engine was offered in the up market Special, HL (four-door) and GT (two-door) models distinguished by their front spot lamps and their wonderfully kitsch interiors. The engine was dropped with the advent of the ‘advanced’ OHC 1.7 power unit in 1978 and today a well-kept survivor can prove a surprisingly efficient (and lively) workhorse. A four-door family-sized MGB ? Well, worse comparisons have been made…

Classic commercial pedants will tell you there is no such vehicle as the Morris Minor van, only the Morris O-Type. Ignore such tripe as over two decades the Minor Van gave the full gamut of customers the same combination of durability, simple engineering and dynamic ability as the saloon. The load capacity of 76cuft was another selling point but what really made the Minor so appealing was the fact that BMC also offered a chassis-cab, allowing enterprising coachbuliders to create ice-cream vans, campers and even crash wagons. Originally the payload was 5cwt but in 1962 this was uprated to 6cwt and 8cwt versions, both of which were offered until production end in 1971. Pick-ups were available and van buyers with a taste for one-manupmanship might like the badge engineered Austin (1968-1971), or even one of the many GPO Specials that were last in service as late as 1978. As ever, all what you need to restore a Minor are available.

These accommodating family cars have always been appreciated for their space (true six seaters, and with a big boot), reliability and ease of ownership. These characteristics still apply today, with the added bonus that the cars are inexpensive to buy and operate. Arriving in May 1954, the all-new, unitary construction ‘Series II’ Oxford replaced the MO. The newcomer featured BMC’s 1489cc B-Series engine; the less elaborate Cowley version initially had a slow 1200cc motor. The short lived and now rare Isis had longer bodywork, hiding BMC’s 2.6-litre C-Series engine, which provided considerable performance. Estate (‘Traveller’) versions of both the Oxford and Isis were produced. Series III models (October 1956 on) were more powerful than their predecessors. From late 1957 until 1960, a Series IV Traveller (with four passenger doors) was offered. An acquired taste but they have a loyal following.

With styling similar to that of the Minor, but on a much grander scale, the Oxford and six cylinder, overhead camshaft Six are evocative of their era, stylish ultra rare but well worth finding. The distinct models were externally identifiable by their grilles -a rounded, full-width type on the Oxford, and a vertically-mounted unit on the Six. (Incidentally, equivalent Wolseley versions were produced too; the Four-Fifty and Six-Eighty). Oxford was equipped with rack and pinion steering, whereas the Morris Six used a Bishop cam and lever set-up. Oxfords are tardy but the Six is much more sprightly, and still a good car for speedy, lazy long-distance cruising.