Italian Style Morris announced (Oct 15, 1959)

A new Morris family saloon styled in Italy, developed in England and powered by a Special Australian Engine has been announced by the British Motor Corporation of Australia.

It is the Morris Oxford Series V, a long, low and fin-styled six seater which does 78 miles an hour and has a petrol consumption of more than 30 miles to the gallon.

The Oxford is the first Morris to be powered by the new Australian 1622 c.c. Four cylinder engine, which develops 55 brake horsepower. Its compression ratio-- 7.7 to 1 -- enables owners to get maximum benefit from the increased octane rating of Australian petrol.

Before production, the engine was proved over more than 150.000 hours on Australian roads and for more than 1200 hours on test beds.

Pinin Farina, of Turin, styled the car, which seats all passengers within the wheel-base for maximum comfort and safety.

It is the first Farina styled Morris to be produced at the (pounds) 19.000.000 plant at Victoria Park, near Sydney.

The car is 14 feet 10 inches long -- seven inches more than the 1957 Oxford it replaces. It is three inches lower in height and three cubic feet bigger in the boot .

Other features of the new Oxford include: All-Steeled body of welded unitary-construction reinforced at all load bearing points, improved vision back and front for increased safety and reduced driver fatigue: near grouping of rear and stop lights and traffic indicators in fins to enhance the lines of the car and to simplify parking and reversing: new non slam door locks and secret "anti children" safety catches on all doors; adjustable bench type front seats ; spare wheel totally enclosed in a special thief proof carrier below the boot, swivel quarter lights both front and rear, giving improved yet draught free ventilation; and wide opening doors for easy access.