1922 Morris Cowley Bullnose

This achingly pretty Morris Cowley ‘Bullnose’ has come through a sister division of Bonhams in the past and, thanks to that encounter, we already know something of its provenance and history.

Prior to the vendor’s purchase of the car from Bonhams in 2020 it was owned by a father and daughter, the former having purchased the car in 1968, and the car having last seen active service in 1990 when it was used for the latter’s wedding.

The vendor has built upon the basically very sound and decent condition of the car he purchased four years ago and has spend considerable amounts of time and money - around £13,000 - having the car refurbished, refreshed and restored (as appropriate) inside and out.

He also restored the running gear and chassis and had the car’s engine and mechanicals optimally fettled and tweaked. The interior, dickie seat and fabric hood are also all new.

The work was carried out by respected classic car restorers Trevor Farrington Limited of Knutsford, Cheshire.

The vendor tells us that the only things that might be deemed worthy of some remedial attention are the paintwork (which is attractively patinated, in our opinion) and the wiring loom.

There’s really no denying this car’s cuteness.

It’s proportions, profile and colours ensure that it presents extremely handsomely from every angle.

The bodywork is in fine fettle and, aside from one or two dinks on the black-painted chassis sections visible underneath the bodywork, there are no dents or creases of any consequence anywhere.

The running boards, with their wooden boxes, red oil can and brass horn, are reassuringly sturdy and solid.

We particularly like the tiny door mat on the passenger side, which is, of course, host to the only door through which to access the interior.

The paintwork elsewhere has a gentle patination that we think adds to the car’s considerable appeal.

The new hood is in excellent condition and looks fabulous, as does the sturdy wooden frame on which it sits.

The lights, lenses, badging, bright-work and other exterior fixtures and fittings all look good.

The dickie seat is in fine working order, if you’re feeling brave enough to use it, although there are some splits to the metal around the lifting holes on the seat’s cover.

There is some micro-blistering in evidence on the section of bodywork between the dickie seat cover and the rear of the hood.

The artillery-style wheels look decent. The tyres have plenty of tread in them, but the cracks in the sidewalls suggest that they may be rather long in the tooth.

The interior, being wholly restored in the last few years, is beyond reproach.

The seats are comfortable and supportive (we can’t vouch for the dickie seat) and the grey vinyl upholstery is in irreproachable order.

The simple interior is clean, fresh and looks good.

The wood has held up well, the dials and instruments look fine, and the carpets, being new, look – well – new.

Aside from a couple of minor scuffs to the door card on the driver’s side, it all looks fine.

We haven’t driven the car, but the vendor tells us that, as far as he’s aware, everything does what it’s supposed to do.

The undersides of the car look as solid and honest as the rest of it, as far as we can tell.

Everything inside the engine bay seems clean and dry. The red-painted engine block and its various ancillaries look fine, and everything appears to be in its right and proper place.

We haven't had the car started here, but the owner has told us it does run.

There are invoices, bills and receipts itemising work carried out during the recent restoration.

The car comes with its original registration log book, various hand books and manuals, some owners’ club paraphernalia, a V5 and a small box of spares, including paint for the bodywork.

Few very cars can be said to exude genuine charm.

This is undoubtedly one of them, and it is exuding oodles of charm through every pore in its 102-year-old body.

It is clearly in very impressive condition, mechanically and aesthetically.

It is also a simple, easy to understand thing and that means there’s really nowhere for any bad news to be hiding.

We think it’s every bit as delightful as it looks, and that’s saying something.

We are happy to offer this car for auction with an estimate in the range of £8,000 - £12,000.

Viewing is strongly encouraged, and this lot is located at Bonhams|Cars Online HQ. Viewings are STRICTLY BY APPOINTMENT and we are open weekdays between 10am - 12pm or 2pm - 4pm. To make a booking, please use the ‘Enquire About This Vehicle’ button on the listing. Feel free to ask any questions, or try our ‘Frequently Asked Questions’.