Celebrating 100 years of Morris cars

What better way to celebrate the anniversary of a car by driving the earliest survivor of the breed? Whilst many of the oldest examples of cars have been consigned to permanent static display in museums around the world, we are happy to report that the oldest known Morris-Oxford is alive and well in private ownership and is driven, as intended, on a regular basis. This year the car celebrated a particularly important milestone, 2013 marking 100 years since the first 'Bullnose' Morris-Oxfords rolled off the production line at Cowley. This car, owned by Cliff Jowsey of Whitby, was built on 19th April of that year, just under a month into production.
Only around 1500 of these early White & Poppe-engined cars were built and today survivors are rare. Even the most ardent 'Bullnose' fan may be surprised by just how different the 1913 Oxfords are compared to their later, more numerous brethren. Robin Batchelor, hot-air balloonist extraordinaire and arch 'Bullnose' enthusiast, was indeed struck by the subtle difference in character between this early car and his own later examples when he drove it recently for an article in The Automobile magazine – part of a seven page celebration of the Morris marque in its centenary year.

Although there may be more glamourous automotive anniversaries this year (Aston-Martin also celebrates the magic 100 mark in 2013), it would be a shame to overlook the importance of the Morris's creation, for it truly was the car that mobilised Great Britain and bought cheap, reliable motoring to the masses. If it wasn't for William Morris's determination to build his own car his own way, and the great success his vision became, it is safe to say the world would never have known the joys of the Morris Minor or the Mini, both cars cut from the same cloth as the humble 'Bullnose'.