Last Chance Saloon

The Series VI was the Farina’s final hurrah before the newfangled 1800 ‘Landcrab’ took its place. Nick Larkin tries a mint survivor for size.

- Nick Larkin

Ah, the 1960s. Even today you can’t help but marvel at all of those incredible milestones in technology. The Moon landing.The Post Office Tower. Regular UK colour television. Nancy Sinatra’s boots made for walking. LSD in every home. Possibly. This very same decade saw the launch of the Morris Oxford Series VI, which, amazingly, had something in common with the Telstar space satellite revealed during the car’s first full year of production in 1962 – it lacked a synchromesh first gear… In all seriousness, the Morris did have some minor, but useful improvements over its Series V predecessor (which also had Austin, MG, Riley and Wolseley siblings within the BMC ‘Farina’ range), including an increase in engine size from 1489cc to 1622cc, a longer wheelbase and wider track, along with front and rear anti-roll bars. The earlier car’s fins were reduced in size and there were changes to the dashboard, seats and chrome.

BMC knew that there was no hope of advertising the newcomer on excitement, but proclaimed: ‘Where else? Such power, space and luxury for only £731, tax paid.’ An extra £82 3s 4d got you automatic transmission; pay a little more than that and you could even have a cavernous estate. It was evolution not revolution, but these detailed improvements mean that this car stands up well when subjected to CCW’s Five Classic Trials today.

Look at the car with fresh eyes and the styling looks neat – classical, even – with its gleaming bright work. A major surprise is the quality of the materials used throughout the car, from the thick chrome bumpers to the sumptuous seats and gold mesh trim on the dashboard. There’s even a clock. It all looks simple yet effective as you slide on to the leather driver’s seat and the door closes with a reassuring clonk.