Morris Oxford Mk2, Mk3 and Mk4 (1954 – 1960) Review

After disappearing during the 1930s, the Cowley name made a welcome return to the Morris price lists in 1954. Effectively, it was an entry-level version of the Oxford, Morris’s new mid-range saloon. More significantly, these were the first all-new models to be built since Morris and Austin merged in 1952 to form the British Motor Corporation (BMC). The Oxford/Cowley was designed by Alec Issigonis, and as a result, was upto date in many aspects. The bulbous styling hid unitary construction, and interior accommodation was good for its size. The Oxford was powered by the new B-series 1489cc (91 cu in) engine, and the more basic Cowley had the smaller 1200cc version under its bonnet.

Both received a facelift for 1956, and the 1489cc (91 cu in) was standardized across the range. In 1957, there was another restyle for the Cowley, and it became the Traveller estate. After the introduction of the Morris-badged Farina saloons in 1959, the Cowley Traveller remained in production, to fulfill the need for a load-lugging Morris model. When the Farina estate appeared in 1960, the Cowley Traveller was quietly dropped.