THE history of car making in Cowley was brought to life by a convoy of much-loved motors past and present yesterday.

Fourteen old and new classic cars made their way from Oxford’s Mini plant to Nuffield Place near Henley, where the founder of Morris Motor Cars lived for 30 years.

It was organised by Oxford car enthusiast Tanya Field to mark the 101st anniversary of car manufacturing in Cowley, and the beginning of a new visitors season at the home of Sir William Morris.

Waving off models ranging from a 1948 Morris Minor to a modern 2012 Mini were Oxford East MP Andrew Smith and Sir William’s great-great nephew Kevin Minns.

The colourful procession mostly featured cars built in Cowley and was led by a 1926 Morris Oxford, better known as the Bullnose Morris, the very first model to roll off the production line.

Its owner, Colin Kilpatrick, 69, of Lucerne Road, Oxford, said he was proud to bring his Morris back to where it all began, adding: “One reason I love these cars is because I live in Oxford, I was born in Oxford, and there’s a huge history of car manufacture in Oxford.

“They are iconic beautiful cars. And it was nice to bring my 1926 Morris back to the factory and see it alongside modern cars which are still world beaters.”

Oxford Mail:

Geoff Giles

Geoff Giles, 65, of Nuffield Hill Lane, Nuffield, brought his 1999 Rover Mini to take part in the convoy and said it was good to see such a mix of cars together.

He said: “It was wonderful to see all those Morris-related cars meeting at the factory where a lot of them started their lives.”