Quantity production of the Morris Cowley was commenced as far back as 1919. It was this great advance in manufacturing technique which made the dramatic price reductions of 1920-23 possible. This astounding development gave Lord Nuffield, then Mr. W.R. Morris, the lead in the popular car field at a time when the rest of the industry was in deep depression. In 1922 the Cowley was actually as cheap as the newly introduced Austin 7, despite the much greater value it offered. It had an 11.9 h.p. engine and in detail was the product of steady evolution from the Morris Cars of 1915. It is interesting to note that the first M.G. was merely a tuned and lightened form of the Cowley. Even in 1922 it was capable of speeds over 90 m.p.h.

The Bullnose Morris Cowley, was among the most popular cars of the 1920s. Morris cars were originally built from bought-in components. As production grew through the 1920s these outside suppliers were gradually absorbed by Morris.
The distinctive rounded bullnose radiator remained a feature of Morris cars until 1926, by which time the company was a motor industry giant.

The (Y8-1) 1926 Morris Cowley Bullnose joined the range in 1958. It's not a very exciting model, and it is really small, but I believe it holds the record of being the first passenger car added to the Models of Yesteryear range, everything previously had been trucks, trains & traction engines. It has the nice detail of a lift-up dicky seat but strangely, no headlamps.

Variations/Rarities: It is only ever seen in tan with a brown chassis. The wheels can be silver or copper coloured, but this does not affect value which is fairly modest.
The wheels were fitted with black plastic tyres and can be found mounted on axles with crimped ends or axles with rounded ends.
The spread rivets that attach the rear end of the baseplate are not always as tight as they should be which allows the dickey seat to drop down backwards. A minor modification was made to the hinge to rectify this.

*In 1998, models were reported with what appeared to be a tow hook, but in fact was part of the casting sprue which had not been removed during the fetting process.

Scale: 1:50

Morris Cowley Bullnose

Crimped & Riveted axles

Different lugs in boot

*A rare example with 'tow hook' was sold in MICA Postal Auction 3/99 in July 1998 for £288