Description

1953 Morris Oxford MO

Only 37,500 miles indicated; few owners; new wiring loom, clutch, stainless steel fuel tank, radiator, fuel pump, tyres etc in recent years; nice transferable number; wonderfully genuine and original

Looking very much like an oversized Morris Minor, the Oxford MO was launched in 1948 and remained in production until 1954. Designed by Alec Issigonis, its  brakes were hydraulically operated drums all round while steering was by rack-and-pinion. Power came from a 1.5-litre side-valve straight-four producing 41bhp. Driving through a four-speed column-change gearbox, this gave the car a top speed of 72mph.
The interior was well appointed with a full-width shelf under the dashboard, opening quarter lights for improved ventilation, an oil pressure gauge, an ammeter and an electric clock, with a heater available as an extra cost option. Over 159,900 were sold before production came to an end in 1954, although for many years afterwards the MO continued to be made in some quantity by Hindustan Motors of India where it was badged as the Hindustan Fourteen.
December 1953 must have been a memorable date for Mrs EM Eastabrook of Cosham, Hants, because on the 1st of that month she took delivery of her spanking new Morris Oxford MO from Wadham Bros of Southsea, the original purchase invoice showing that it cost her £783 7s 2d including taxes, number plates and delivery.
JBK 144 then had just three further owners before being acquired by our vendor in June 2004 at which point she had been in storage for at least a decade. He promptly set about a thorough recommissioning with many new parts including: new wiring loom; headlamps; rechromed bumper sections; new over-riders; stainless steel fuel tank; clutch kit; recored radiator; brake pipes; solid state fuel pump; stainless steel exhaust; tyres/tubes; new bonnet and boot hinges plus much else besides.
By 2016 JBK 144 was looking so splendid that she was featured on the front cover of the owner’s club calendar. As you can see in the photos, she still looks great today with a particularly well-preserved red leather interior which even retains the original carpets, prompting one to think that the 37,495 miles on the clock could well be genuine – who knows?
Fitted with a new battery shortly before the sale, she starts, runs and drives but she has only covered around 150 miles since 2009 and has not been out on the road for the last two years at least so she will require a thorough service before venturing forth once more – we noted that the brakes are binding slightly and the idle speed is a bit too high. The vendor advises that she uses silicone brake fluid, not the old mineral type.
Documentation includes the original buff log book (framed), original purchase invoice and warranty (framed), period sales poster (framed), a Heritage Certificate plus various recent invoices. Fitted with a handy tow bar and retaining the original (transferable) registration number, this beautifully preserved MO is now crying out for more regular use.
For more information contact James on 07970 309907 or email james.dennison@brightwells.com