In 1915 the first Morris Cowley appeared as a cut-price Morris 'Bullnose' Oxford. Whereas the Oxford was an assemblage of components from British companies, the Cowley used American components as these were cheaper. In 1919 a new Morris Cowley was launched with British components, including an engine from the British Hotchkiss company, which became Morris Engines in 1923 after William Morris bought the company. For 1926, Oxford and Cowleys gained new chassis, and the 'Bullnose' radiator was now replaced by the cheaper and more efficient 'Flatnose' radiator, behind which sat the same 1548cc sv 4-cylinder engine.