Saloons and Travellers 1954-1956

May 1954

In May 1954 the new Morris Oxford series II was launched, replacing the Morris Oxford (series MO) which had been in production since 1948.

Externally the MO Oxford looks similar to a 1953-71 Morris Minor (remember that the '48 Minor MM was a 'low-lite') but with a different grille and bigger in all respects. The MO Oxford has a side-valve Nuffield engine of 1476cc and a nice column-change gearbox.
Alongside the 1948 Minor and Oxford was the Morris Six MS (21/6), which had the MO's body but a longer bonnet and upright grille, housing an overhead-cam six cylinder motor of 2215cc. Interestingly, some engine parts are the same for both the 6 and 4 cylinder engines.

For a great run down on the excellent MO and Six, have a squizz at:  The MO and 6/80 club

Righto, back to the 1954 series II Oxford.
There was a brand new 50bhp 1489cc BMC B-series engine up front, column-change B-series gearbox and a B-series diff/rear axle of 4.875:1.
In the notably spacious cabin there was a heater as standard, bench seats front and rear and a neatly designed fascia using some new-fangled plastics.

July 1954

July 1954 saw the release of the Morris Cowley. Morris had not used the name 'Cowley' for 21 years prior to this model. Cowley models were always based on the current Morris Oxford, but with various economisations and were thus cheaper to buy.

Well, the 1954 Cowley differs from the Oxford thus:

• Exterior:
  • no chrome flashes on the front wings/doors
  • no chrome 'teeth' on the front grille
  • no chrome finishers around the front and rear windscreens
  • painted window surrounds, not chromed
  • painted numberplate light plinth, not chromed
  • no COWLEY badge on the boot
  • fixed front quarter-light windows, not openable
• Interior:
  • no chrome strip on the vinyl door panels
  • no passenger side sun-visor
  • no heater
  • no engine temperature gauge
  • no clock
  • no horn ring
  • vinyl instead of carpet on the floors
• Drivetrain:
  • 1200cc B-series engine (smaller bore) and lower-geared differential (5.125:1)
  • smaller air cleaner assembly
  • smaller (8 inch) brakes
  • smaller (7.25) inch clutch plate
  • single 'meep' horn instead of twin wind-tone horns

Other than these relatively small details the Cowley is very much the same as the Oxford.

July 1955

In July 1955, the Oxford and Cowley were joined by a six-cylinder model with the same bodyshell from the windscreen back.
The body forward of the windscreen was lengthened and strengthened for the bigger engine and drivetrain: the Morris Isis with the BMC C-series rear axle, C-series gearbox and C-series engine of 2639cc giving 86bhp.

As befitting of a more luxurious 6 there is a little more chrome than the Oxford but really other than the badging, there is little to distinguish the Isis from the Oxford.
Detail differences to the Oxford not already mentioned:

• repositioned steering wheel
• steering box instead of rack and pinion
• speedometer goes up to 100mph
• more powerful heater
• leather seats
• optional overdrive

The Travellers

Like the preceeding series MO, the series II Oxford was also available as a Traveller estate with woody styling, similar to the Morris Minor, but with cleaner lines and little structural wood - most of the timber was decorative only. The Isis too was available as a woody traveller, but the Cowley was never thus offered. Incidentally, the travellers can seat 8 people - they have a fold down seat in the luggage compartment which accomodates two people.

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