MORRIS COWLEY
1200: 1954-1956
The Cowley 1200
Cowley 1200 was a reduced specification Oxford SII
The Cowley 1200 was introduced in July 1954. It shared most of its major components with the Oxford Series II that was introduced in May 1954. When announced, the lower specification Cowley 1200 cost £702, compared to the Oxford at £744. It was the first Morris to have the new B-series 1,198cc ohv engine. It had a 4-speed column gearchange, torsion bar front suspension and rack and pinion steering that provided a good quality ride and reliability.
Colours available were Black, Clarendon Grey, Sandy Beige and Empire Green. Smoke Blue was initially an option, but this was replaced by the Sandy Beige in 1955. The interior was more spartan than the Oxford with leathercloth seats, plain door trims, PVC covered felt floor covering, a single sun visor, less instrumentation, no chrome horn ring on the steering wheel and fixed quarter lights (other than on export models). Interior colour was either Maroon or Green. There was a one-piece windscreen and good visibility with a large glass area. The doors opened wide to accommodate 6 adults and there was a 16ft3 boot.
Externally the Cowley did not have the Oxford’s vertical grille embellishers, no wing chrome strips, no name on the boot and a non-chrome rear number plate lamp plinth. There were plain rubber screen surrounds with painted side window surrounds instead of stainless steel. A heater and over-riders were optional extras.
The Cowley was a robust, roomy, reliable and practical vehicle and could meet the needs of a family or for business both in the UK and the important overseas markets. It was well received by the motoring press other than considered slightly underpowered with little gain in fuel consumption compared to the Oxford. It was only produced as a saloon.
The Cowley 1200 had a production run of 17,413 until it was replaced by the Cowley 1500.
1500: 1956-1959
The Cowley 1500 was introduced in October 1956 with the Oxford Series III and Isis Series II. It was substantially the same as the 1200 but with some styling updates and a bigger engine. The Cowley remained an economy version of the Oxford. When announced the Cowley 1500 cost £799, compared to the Oxford at £848.
The Cowley 1500 shared the same B-series 1,489cc ohv engine with the Oxford, which boosted power output from 42 to 55 bhp. It had a 4-speed floor gear change with the option initially of retaining the column gear change. Mechanically it was very similar to the Oxford.
The styling updates were consistent with those applied to the Oxford and Isis. The most notable being the fluted bonnet with no air scoop, squared off rear wings and revised dashboard. As previously, the Cowley had less embellishment than the Oxford Series III. Windscreen washers, over riders, radio and heater were an optional extra.
Colours available were Black, Clarendon or Birch Grey, Dark or Sage Green, Turquoise and Cream. The interior was more spartan than the Oxford. Interior upholstery colour was either Red or Green. It was never available in duotone colours.
It received little press attention and the factory produced few brochures or publicity photographs. It was only produced as a 4-door saloon.
The Cowley 1500 had a production run of 4,633 until discontinued in March 1959. It was not a sales success being overshadowed by the more upmarket and popular Oxford Series III. After some 45 years with Morris, the famous Cowley name was never used again.
The Cowley 1500