Lot 38: Morris Cowley Folding Head Saloon

The 1926 Flatnose Morris was more than just a restyle on the Bullnose, which had remained largely unchanged since 1915.  William Morris was apparently unhappy with the first prototype, likening the flat radiator to a tombstone, and ordered it to be narrowed by two inches.  One of the most famous Cowley owners of the 1920s was Agatha Christie, whose Morris was found on 3rd December 1926 dangerously close to the edge of a chalk pit, twenty miles from her Surrey Home, sparking a national search for the authoress, who was found eleven days later in a Harrogate hotel, registered under the name of Teresa Neele and claiming to be suffering from amnesia. By 1929, the sharp corners had been softened and Morris described the saloon as 'dome-backed'.  During the 1930 season, nickel plating was replaced with chrome and Triplex glass was introduced to comply with new safety glass legislation.  A folding head saloon was also introduced, identified by the absence of an external metal sun-visor.First registered in December 1930, this smartly presented saloon is finished in blue and black, having been coach painted some years ago.  The bodywork appears to be in very good order, with all the doors opening and closing nicely.  The interior trim is original in dark tan 'Karhyde' and carpeting, while the headlining is completed with the original overhead string net and the folding Donne & Willans Ltd 'Kopalapso' roof is trimmed in the correct material.  Although having been in the current ownership for almost twenty years, the rebuilt engine is said to have only covered around 1,000 miles. When viewed, starting was instant and the engine ran very well with little mechanical noise.  Little more than some simple manoeuvring was possible due to heavy cloudbursts at the time; however there were no difficulties encountered with the steering, gear selection or clutch.  During the current ownership, the car has appeared in films and on television, including several episodes of The House of Elliot, and more recently was used for a Bath to Bournemouth run, completing the distance without fault.With a current MOT certificate and V5C registration document, this delightful Morris is to be sold to make room for new additions to a burgeoning collection.