MO Oxford vs Minor

linearaudio · Post by **linearaudio** » Fri Nov 21, 2008 7:11 pm

Just been revisiting my BMC book, and was struck by just how much alike the MO Oxford and Minor appear. Wondering why it flopped in sales. Also was suspension and handling similar, or is the likeness all on the surface?

Post by **mike.perry** » Fri Nov 21, 2008 7:48 pm

I've always fancied an MO Oxford but I could never justify owning one, besides I know what the parts availability is like, so I will just have to keep looking enviously at Tim Rouse's immaculate 1953 MO.
I should imagine that it is a bit of a barge to handle compared to the Minor as there is a lot more weight and over enthusiastic cornering would have the passengers sliding around the bench seats. It is probably not the sportiest of cars with 44 BHP dragging around well over 1 ton of car.
The bodywork is not just a scaled up version of the Minor, every panel design is different, it just has the same basic appearance.
In my opinion the MO is the best looking of the Morris / Wolseley group of cars, the rest looked as though the front end was grafted on to the passenger compartment.
According to Ray Newell's 60 Years on the Road 154932 MO saloons and 5500 travellers were produced between 1948 and 1954 when it was restyled. This compares to 176000 Series MM saloons and tourers between 1948 and 1953

Post by **croft** » Fri Nov 21, 2008 7:54 pm

Not sure about the suspension or running gear but a friend of mine had a M.O oxford a few years back, he used to get really P***** Off because almost everyone thought it was a Minor! even a lot of people at shows used to come up and ask about his Minor! Eventualy he would park it next to any minor he could find at the show and listen to the publics comments! The best one was a chap telling all and sundry it was a very rare prototype Minor that was to big so they made the Minor a bit smaller!!! He eventualy sold it and bought ? you guessed it a Minor!!

Post by **bmcecosse** » Fri Nov 21, 2008 10:46 pm

A lad up here (Bruce Henderson) has a very rare Traveller MO - it's very underpowered of course, but he does tow a period miniature caravan with it to the shows - and stays in it overnight!
And he has a notice on the back telling people it's NOT a Minor ! I have parked my Minor Traveller alongside his car - and the comments from viewers are indeed priceless!

Post by **FrankM83** » Fri Nov 21, 2008 11:32 pm

I saw a very smart MO Trav at the national this year probably the one you're mentioning roy as it had a trailer! I think the Mo was more pricey then the Minor , leaving the Minor big enough, worth it anought and good looking enough for a normal family

Post by **ferret76** » Sat Nov 22, 2008 4:32 am

Here's Beanie and the MO that lives round the corner.<br>

<br>

Post by **callyspoy** » Sat Nov 22, 2008 12:27 pm

I actually adore those cars. I am honest enough to say that if one came up that was reasonably priced i would sell the minor for it. I'm not a great fan of the grille, but i love the car, never seen one in person though!

Post by **Dean** » Sat Nov 22, 2008 12:37 pm

Is the MO the famous Indian taxi?

Post by **eastona** » Sat Nov 22, 2008 12:41 pm

IIRC the ambasador was based on the Oxford.

It's strayed quite significantly from the original now though!

I drove one once, a taxi in New Delhi. Quite an experience.

Andrew

Post by **Dean** » Sat Nov 22, 2008 12:48 pm

Just found this!!! They import new ones...

http://www.merlingarages.co.uk/gallery.htm

Post by **eastona** » Sat Nov 22, 2008 12:56 pm

Yes, that's the modernised version.

I prefer the old school one with front bench seats, holes in the floor and picture of Guru Nanak hanging from the interior mirror.

They are pretty cool though

linearaudio · Post by **linearaudio** » Sat Nov 22, 2008 12:59 pm

mike.perry wrote:According to Ray Newell's 60 Years on the Road 154932 MO saloons and 5500 travellers were produced between 1948 and 1954 when it was restyled. This compares to 176000 Series MM saloons and tourers between 1948 and 1953

Interesting figures. So-similar to Minor production figures, but discontinued rather than beihg left to drag on...and on...
Dean-love the pictures of the Hindustan- looks like someone with a big bum has sat on the bonnet, but what a heater setup!
The photo of the MO next to the Minor is very illuminating, seen both before but never at same time. I thought that grille was 'orrible as well, but it was "of the era". The other Morris/Wolsely of the era did indeed seem made of two parts, mixing and matching the bonnet section onto a standard tub! (not counting the glorious Wolseley 1500 in that comment)!

Post by **eastona** » Sat Nov 22, 2008 1:07 pm

That gallery looks great. I'm starting to want one!

Andrew

Post by **IaininTenbury** » Tue Nov 25, 2008 2:17 am

The earlier grill of the MO was neater, (in my opinion). It was diecast with more horizontal bars giving small rectangular holes. The one pictured was the updated version from about 52 onwards with the two large stainless bars. Same sort of thing as what was carried on to the Series 2 Oxford, the one the Hindustan is based on. Typical American styling of the time I guess...