Series VI timeline

1958

The BMC Farina range is launched with the Wolseley 15/60. The newly designed hull may be innately stylish with many Italianate touches, but the new car has similar mechanics to its predecessor.

1959

The Morris Oxford Series V joins the range with a different interior, heavily revised chrome work and dashboard and the delights of a single front bench seat, if that was your thing.

1960

Estate versions of the Morris Oxford (Traveller) and Austin Cambridge (Countryman) are launched, though this sort of practicality is obviously deemed too lowly for the more upmarket MG, Wolseley and Riley variants.

1961

Wholesale changes to the entire BMC Farina range lead to the Series V Oxford becoming the Series VI. This latest car has less exuberant tail fins, an increase in engine capacity to 1622cc, front and rear anti-roll bars, a longer wheelbase, a wider track and a changed interior. Buyers looking for an even more laidback variant than standard can opt for an automatic gearbox. A diesel Morris Oxford is launched late in the year for taxi operators, who happily say ‘yes, guv’ to 40mpg but also have to put up with a yawning 0-60mph time of just under 40 seconds.

1971

After a relative lack of modifications over a ten-year period, the Oxford saloon is laid to rest two years after the Traveller. A credible 202,823 cars have been built during its lifetime.