Lot details

Year: 1935
Make: Morris
Model: 12/4 Coupe S2
Registration: JF9 357
Chassis No: S2-TW/58937
Odometer: tba

• Featured in the feature film 'My week with Marilyn'
• Believed to be the second Coupe 12/4 produced
• Probably the earliest existing example

Introduced in 1919 as a cheaper alternative to the Oxford, the Morris Cowley used bought-in American components and running gear to undercut the opposition. The Cowley continued to evolve throughout the early 1930s, being extensively restyled for 1932 and gaining Lockheed hydraulic brakes at the same time, though the original's long-in-the-tooth Hotchkiss-based engine was retained. This remarkably long-lived unit (it had been around since 1919) was at last replaced for 1934 with an entirely new sidevalve engine that kept the old bore/stroke combination of 69.5x102mm for a capacity of 1,548cc but produced significantly more power: a maximum of 34bhp being available compared with its predecessor's 28. The new engine went into a shorter-wheelbase chassis and in this form the Cowley bowed out in 1935, having been marketed as the '12/4' for its final year. It was replaced in May 1935 by the first of the 'Series' models, which retained the recently introduced 1,548cc engine and shared its bodyshell and three-speed gearbox with the 1,292cc Ten. Only two models were available: a saloon and a coupe.

Purchased by the vendor in 2002, a methodical restoration was started and by 2006 had been completed. A very early car, this was in fact the second 12/4 Series II Coupe to be produced and believed to be the earliest existing. The BMIHT Heritage Certificate (copy) supplied in the vehicle's history file shows that the car was despatched on 4th October of that year. The handmade wood framed bodies were made by Holland & Pratt at their factory and then shipped to the Morris factory to be fitted to the cars. This car has been lovingly maintained and has won various local concours awards, most recently in Wraysbury in June of this year. The car retains its original interior with 'sports' seats, showing a wonderful patina. The mechanicals are excellent, and the paint is showing in good order, having been repainted sensitively and using the original technique. Where possible, the car's original paintwork has been spared, although it would take a keen eye to find the difference between new and old.

The history file shows a lot of information relating to the car's history, both specifically to this example, but also to the model. Correspondence with the ownership club as well as lots of receipts and past MoT test certificates amongst other things are also present. Of note amongst the invoices, is one from the well renowned Rolls-Royce and Bentley specialist, Michael Hibberd for £15,590.95 in 2017 for a comprehensive amount of remedial works.The work really shows when starting the car, as upon inspection it fired on the first attempt and ticked over incredibly smoothly.

Supplied with a V5C registration document, copy of its Heritage Certificate, invoices, past MoT test certificates, correspondence and literature on the model. The expenditure far exceeds the value of this lovely little car and is now ready to give the next owner as much pleasure as it has our vendor. Consigned by Will Penrose