North West Casual Classics

Morris Cowley was a name given to various cars produced by the Morris company from 1915 to 1958.  The Morris Cowley Bullnose, named for the shape of its radiator, was produced from 1915-1926.  The Bullnose radiator was replaced by a more conventional flat radiator announced on 11 September 1926 on new cars.  The new model had doors either side and a longer list of accessories supplied as standard.  The engines remained the same, but the Cowley, unlike the Oxford, retained braking on the rear wheels only as standard, although a front brake system was available at extra cost. The chassis was new and the suspension was updated with semi-elliptic leaf springs all round plus Smiths friction-type scissor shock absorbers. The brakes are rod-and-spring-operated, with cams inside the drums to actuate. Interesting to note that the rear brake drums include two sets of shoes, one of which is connected directly to the handbrake.

The Morris Cowley Flatnose continued in production till 1931 and this vehicle was one of the first off the production line.

Built as a chassis and drive train in 1926 and then exported to Australia where a ‘bespoke’ body was built by Holdens, Matilda remained in New South Wales for many years and there is no history for this period available at this time.  This vehicle is known as a ‘colonial wide track’ and also sits higher off the road than a UK model.

As with most cars of this age, the steering can be a little vague and she does tend to waltz across the road, hence, the name “Matilda”, as in the great Australian song, ‘Waltzing Matilda’.

Happy 100^th Birthday to Matilda – hopefully we will see her out this year!

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