Lament for the Isis

Sir,

Now that the lamentations at the passing of the Riley Pathfinder have died down, can I enjoin you to mourn with me at the demise of that most honest of fine cars, the Series 11 Morris Isis?

I think its epitaph should be “they got it right then dropped it.”

For this was no permutation, just plain Morris, no dummy radiator cap and no reference to sporting ancestry, just a plain comfortable five seater car which one’s aunt would look at and approve.

But the Isis was a Q ship amongst cars, under that squarish bonnet lay real performance at a price miles below anything like it.

For some £1,040 tax paid came 90 b.h.p. to propel 25 1/4 cwt., Borg Warner overdrive on Top AND third, a “real” gear lever and a clutchless change in traffic.

There was no extra charge for a proper heater, leather trim, screen wash and a decent set of instruments—even an oil pressure gauge.

Pack in the whole family and cruise at 70 m.p.h. without the slightest fuss, in fact you change into top at that speed.

Even at 90 m.p.h. there was no feeling of stress it just wouldn’t go any faster.

After all why should it, it was only a Morris. Excellent steering, no rattles, no oil consumption, 25 m.p.g. at ordinary speeds and a 12 gallon tank. I have observed some half-dozen of these fine cars running about this not very big town and perhaps it is significant that three of them are owned by people in the Motor Trade, of which I am one.

I am, yours etc.,
Bedford.
M. H. Wormald.