Around the world in Morris Oxford

In an innovative attempt to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Morris Oxford series, a British couple has undertaken a drive from Oxford in the UK to Oxford in New Zealand.

Joanne Bowlt (35) and Tim Nicholson (36), who have chucked off their lucrative jobs to pursue their dream of travelling across the world, remarked that it was simply their love for adventure that drew them to this mission of crisscrossing the world in a car to raise funds for the Red Cross.

The British couple, who first met at Oxford in England, said after exploring various ways of pursuing their dream, they finally settled on driving it down. But which vehicle to choose?

"Coincidentally, there was a car show on at the time. And to our luck it was a show displaying the Oxford Morris series on the occasion of their golden jubilee celebration. Well the Oxford tag is what made us zero down on an Oxford Morris, since we were planning to commence our tour from Oxford in the UK to Oxford in New Zealand," Tim said.

Except for some minor modifications, including some touch up to the suspension and installing a fan for the radiator, the 50-year-old classic beauty was raring to go. It was the simple style, with no high-tech gizzimos or sophistication that won the hearts of the couple.

Made in 1954, the car has exchanged hands five times.

Morris Oxford earlier known as Landmaster is a forerunner of the Ambassador, informed Joanne.

The journey which began on May 5, 2004 would culminate in February 2005 when the couple drives to New Zealand after covering 11 countries, including Egypt, Tunisia, France, Spain, North Africa, Malaysia and India.

Photograph: Saab Press

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