La rivista e il marketplace globale per gli appassionati di auto d’epoca, creati da appassionati.
La rivista e il marketplace globale per gli appassionati di auto d’epoca, creati da appassionati.
Far removed from Morris’s reputation for sound but stodgy cars that mobilised the middle-classes was its big six-cylinder, overhead-camshaft Isis. American-inspired and catering for the well-heeled customer, the Isis came at a time when Morris was exhibiting a bit of a mania for six-cylinders with which it hoped to conquer the Empire markets.
The new model lines were all of a very fine quality but as commercial ventures they ultimately failed. As the Isis represented the very best Morris had to offer, it was correspondingly expensive and its share of the market was proportionately low, leaving few survivors today. This is a pity, as it was finished to the highest standard and played a role in shaping the future of the British motor industry by promoting certain American vogues.
One lucky 1935 tourer, the only survivor of its kind, fell into the hands of an engineer who would cherish it until his death in 1967. After a period of neglect, it was brought back to life by a marque enthusiast and appears now as a very nicely mellowed example of a high-quality older restoration. Zack Stiling takes a closer look in the December issue of The Automobile, available now.
Words and photographs by Zack Stiling.