Morris Oxford Farina
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| Morris Oxford Farina | |
|---|---|
.jpg) Oxford Series VI Saloon 1963 | |
| Overview | |
| Manufacturer | Morris (British Motor Corporation, later British Leyland) |
| Production | 1959–1971 |
| Designer | Pinin Farina |
| Body and chassis | |
| Class | Family car |
The Morris Oxford Farina is a series of motor car models that were produced by Morris of the United Kingdom from 1959 to 1971. The Farina name coming from the Italian design studio employed for styling.
Named by William Morris after the university town in which he grew up, the manufacture of Morris's Oxford cars had helped to turn the south-side of Oxford into a thriving industrial area.
Like its predecessors, the Morris Oxford for the 1960s was a four-cylinder mid-size family car. The Oxford Farina competed with cars such as the badge-engineered A55/A60 Austin Cambridge, the Singer Gazelle, the Vauxhall Victor, and the Ford Cortina.
Traveller
| Oxford Series V | |
|---|---|
 Oxford Series V | |
| Overview | |
| Production | 1959–1961 87,432 produced[1] |
| Assembly | United Kingdom Australia [2] |
| Body and chassis | |
| Body style | 4-door saloon 4-door estate |
| Related | Austin A55 Cambridge Riley 4/68 MG Magnette III Wolseley 15/60 |
| Powertrain | |
| Engine | 1489 cc BMC B-Series engine I4 |
| Dimensions | |
| Wheelbase | 99 in (2,500 mm)[3] 108 in (2,700 mm) |
| Length | 175.5 in (4,460 mm) [3] |
| Width | 63.5 in (1,610 mm) [3] |
| Chronology | |
| Predecessor | Morris Oxford Series III |
| Successor | Morris Oxford Series VI |
For 1959, the Oxford, announced on Lady Day 25 March 1959,[4] was merged into the mid-sized Pinin Farina-designed BMC Farina range along with a half-dozen other previously announced models, including the 1958 Wolseley 15/60 and 1959 Riley 4/68, Austin A55 Cambridge Mark II, and MG Magnette Mark III. The Austin and Morris cars were nearly identical but were produced in separate factories. Differences in the Morris included some of the chrome and interior trim, and the rear lights. Inside, a front bench seat and special dashboard fitted with speedometer, oil pressure gauge, coolant temperature gauge, fuel gauge and clock (optional) were used. A choice of floor or column gear change was available. The handbrake was floor-mounted to the side of the seat. The 1.5 L B-Series engine continued. Drum brakes of 9 in (230 mm) diameter were fitted front and rear and the steering used a cam and peg system. The suspension was independent at the front using coil springs and had a live axle and semi-elliptic leaf springs at the rear.
The Series IV Traveller was still listed till September 1960, by which time a Series V Traveller had been introduced.
Tested by The Motor magazine the car had a top speed of 78 mph (126 km/h) and could accelerate from 0–60 mph (97 km/h) in 25.4 seconds. A "touring" fuel consumption of 29.8 miles per imperial gallon (9.5 L/100 km; 24.8 mpg‑US) was recorded.[5]
Both standard and de-luxe versions were offered. The de-luxe package included a heater, manual screen washer, twin sun visors, twin horns, bumper over-riders, a clock and leather-covered seat. A two-tone paint scheme and a radio were available as options.[5]
On the home market the Standard version cost £815 and the de-luxe £844 including taxes.[5]
A Traveller estate car version of the Series V Farina body was announced 28 September 1960. The new body now provided a double bed size sleeping compartment about 6 ft long and 4 ft wide. The back of the car had a tail-board hinged at the bottom and an upper panel hinged at the top. The Morris version had a single bench front seat and cost £10 more than the equivalent Austin Countryman.[6]
In all, 87,432 Series V Oxfords were built.
Oxford Series V
Note the large tail fins of the original Farina series
Detail of rear fins
