1928 Morris Cowley 'Flatnose' Utility Converted to utility specification by Whiteway's Cider of Exeter in-period

Lot details Registration No: UO 6944 Chassis No: 259167 MOT: Exempt Subject to a full restoration during the 1980s Supplied with an extensive history file that includes a buff logbook and many period documents Converted to utility specification by Whiteway’s Cider in period and eligible for historic commercial vehicle events Morris Motors began in 1912 when bicycle manufacturer, William Morris, moved on from the sale, hire and repair of cars to car manufacturing. He planned a new light car assembled from bought-in components; in this way he was able to retain ownership by keeping within the bounds of his own capital resources. A factory was opened in 1913 at the former Oxford Military College in Cowley, Oxford, where Morris's first car, the two-seat Morris Oxford 'Bullnose' was assembled. Morris Cowley was a name given to various cars produced by the Morris Motor Company from 1915 to 1958. In 1926, the Bullnose radiator was replaced by a flat version known as the ‘Flatnose’ and built by Morris until 1931. First registered on the 31st May 1928, 'UO 2944' was built as a two-seat Tourer with dickey which was converted within the first few years of its life into a very pretty utility vehicle by Whiteway's Cider of Exeter. Fitted with its smart wooden pickup back, it was used regularly to transport bags of apples from the orchard to the pressing factory. It subsequently was transferred into the ownership of a local doctor and remained in his custodianship for over fifty years and was used to travel the length and breadth of the country - with a number of house moves between Devon and London recorded in the buff logbook on file. In 1980, and now in a rather dilapidated state, it was donated to a charity auction in aid of a local church and was sold to a Morris enthusiast who carried out an extensive, ground-up restoration which is documented via a set of photographs. After restoration, it became a regular sight at numerous Bullnose Morris Club events throughout the 1980s and featured in a number of the club magazines. Offered for sale in 2002, our vendor (who owns a number of Morris Oxfords and Cowleys) bought the vehicle via auction and has maintained the car himself ever since, attending a number of events including the London to Brighton Commercial Vehicle Run, where it was greatly received. In the vendor's words, mechanically it is in 'good fettle' and starts up very easily with all functions working as intended. The bodywork is still in a very respectable condition, with aging that is expected from a 40 year old restoration and the interior is in 'very good' condition, with the Blue leather seat suiting it very well. The mohair hood, also now 40 years old, is somewhat faded but appears in overall 'fair' condition. Now ready for a new, loving owner, 'UO 6944' is ready for enjoyment and will surely give many years of happy driving and should turn heads with its interesting history. For more information, please contact: Lucas Gomersall lucas.gomersall@handh.co.uk 07484 082430