Lot Ended
Description
Three owners from new, the first for 53 years; rare and desirable
Traveller version; driven over 20 miles to the
sale
In the
mid-1950s BMC decided that its whole model range was looking distinctly out of
date and hired Italian stylist Battista ‘Pinin’ Farina to inject some
much-needed brio into its products. Out went
the frumpy bulbous look that had ruled the roost for a decade and in came the
clean angular architecture that Farina had pioneered with his Lancia Florida
show car in 1955 – one of the most influential car designs of all time which set
the style for the Swinging Sixties.
The 1959
Morris Oxford V was one of the first fruits of this sharp new look, rendering
the rotund Oxford MO obsolete overnight. For 1961 it was subtly re-styled as the
Oxford VI with reduced tail fins, a slightly longer wheelbase and a wider
track. Anti-roll
bars on the front and rear suspension firmed up the roadholding, giving much
improved stability and handling. The most important mechanical change, however,
was that the B-Series engine was enlarged from 1,498cc to 1,622cc making the
Oxford a genuine 80mph car for the first time.
First
registered in Swansea in March 1966, this Morris Oxford Traveller (Estate)
has had just three owners from new, the first for 53 years and the current
for three years. Originally finished in red, the car was repainted green in
April 1989.
This Traveller comes with two handbooks and a small collection of
invoices documenting some of the maintenance and parts work carried out over the
years. The car was driven over 20 miles to the auction site and has been
running, starting, and driving on arrival.
The vehicle remains in largely original condition, offering a
great opportunity as a usable, running and driving project. A practical
load-lugger with room for all the family, it is also a rare survivor - in 20
years of hosting these sales this is the first Series VI Traveller we have ever
offered and it seems that only two others have been sold at auction in the last
dozen years so it could be a long time before you see another for
sale.
Please contact
james.booth@brightwells.com
.