William Morris tasked Peter Poppe with designing his first production car. The first Morris Oxford light car was sold in 1913 and had a 60x90mm (8.9hp) four-cylinder White and Poppe engine and three speed gearbox, along with a Wrigley back axle.  The car was designed to fit into the lowest road tax bracket. White and Poppe were heavily involved with the manufacture of engines for War Office lorries and munitions. The Ministry of Supply took over control of the output of White and Poppe during WWI preventing further supply of engines to Morris who went to introduce the Cowley with an American Continental engine.

Specifications of the White and Poppe Morris Oxford

There were three main models; the "Standard" model was introduced in 1913 (chassis number 101 to 593) , the de Luxe was introduced in October 1913 (chassis number 1001 to 2000), and the "Popular" introduced at the end of 1914 (the "Popular" was essentially the "Standard" model with a wider body and was included in the "Standard" chassis number range). Total production was 1470 vehicles; just under 40 have survived to the present day.

General information

Weight of car

Standard (1913): 9-1/2cwt (482kg) 

de Luxe (1915): 12-1/2cwt (635kg) including body

Popular (1915): 11-1/2cwt (584kg) including body

Speed

Top speed: 55mph "Standard" (3.5:1 axle), 50 mph "de Luxe" (4.6:1 axle)

Braking system

Brakes operating only on the rear wheels. Two sets of expanding shoes in the rear drums, one set connected to the hand brake and one to the foot brake. The earliest cars were fitted with 6" brake drums but they were soon upgraded to 8" brake drums. 

Fuel economy

Fuel consumption: 50mpg

Body

Usually a 2-seated flush side torpedo body was fitted as standard (optional dickie seat). Cabriolet,  limousine and commercial models also available. 

Engine

Manufacturer: White and Poppe of Coventry

Bore: 60 mm

Stroke: 90 mm

Number of cylinders: 4

Capacity: 1018cc

RAC HP: 8.9 (Government tax £3 3s 0d)

Typical BHP: 15.5hp

Compression Ration: 5.5:1

Typical max RPM: 2350

Clutch: Wet multiple disc clutch (steel and bronze plates), clutch brake on gearbox nose. Initially 36 plates but soon reduced to 34.

Ignition:  ZF4 magneto, occasionally MEA on de Luxe models.

Notes: By 1913 White and Poppe were making most of their engines with the cylinder blocks castings to include a pair of cylinders. Morris specified a Monobloc engine for his new car. The engine supplied by White and Poppe is of T-head construction, with the valves for cylinders 1&2 more closely spaced than between 2&3; it is more of a Siamese pair-cast than a conventional monobloc.  

Carburettor

White and Poppe 20/25 variable jet. 

Gearbox

Manufacturer: White and Poppe

Speeds: 3

Change speed: Gate change via a right hand lever

Rear  Axle

Manufacturer: Wrigley

Type: Worm  drive with propshaft fully enclosed within a torque tube.

Ratios: 

Standard (1913) 3.5:1 (21:6 start worm)  or 4.2:1 ratio

Popular: 4.2:1 ratio

de Luxe (1915): 4.6:1 ratio

Steering

Type: Worm and segment

Chassis

Frame: Of pressed steel, deep section and robust construction

Wheelbase:

Standard: 7ft

de Luxe (1915): 7ft 6in

Popular (1915): 7ft

Track: 

Standard (1913) 3ft 4in (Cars 101-244, 250-252, 257-259, 268, 269,277, 306-311, 313, 332, 351-354, 362, 376, 412-418, 419-421, 430, 431, 460-465

de Luxe (1913-1915): 3ft 9 in

Popular (1915): 3ft 6in

Suspension: Semi-elliptic springs to front, 3/4 elliptic springs to rear.

Wheels: Usually Sankey steel detachable (3 stud). 700x80mm (for beaded edge tyres).

OPTIONAL EXTRAS (for 1915)

Side curtains

Number plates

Aluminium number plates

Tool box on side platform

Dickey seat

Side valances

Variable ignition control

Nickel finish on De Luxe

Black finished lamps

Lucas Dynamo Electric Lighting

Fitting Speedometer

Watford Speedometer

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WANTED: Chassis and engine to complete a Morris express carrier (van).

Want more information? Got more information? Contact me at benjamin.p.hawkins@gmail.com