Lot 352: Morgan Plus 4T16

The Morgan Motor Co. was founded in 1910 by H. F. S. Morgan with great encouragement from his father, the Rev. Prebendary H. G. Morgan; it is still being run by direct descendants of these two gentlemen and methods of assembly not having changed a great deal as Sir John Harvey Jones discovered. The first cars were three wheelers and Morgans remained faithful to this layout until 1939. However, they bowed to the inevitable and in 1936 reluctantly added a fourth wheel, the result initially being fitted with a Ford 10 engine and gearbox and known as the 4/4, which eventually turned into the Plus 4 and then the Plus 8. Another feature which stood the test of time is the system of independent front suspension by sliding pillars and coil springs which is in use in slightly modified form to this day. The 4/4's Ford engine was soon changed for a 1,122cc Coventry Climax unit, as also used by Triumph and Crossly: this developed 34bhp at 4500rpm and had the additional advantage of being mated to a four speed Moss gearbox rather than a three speed unit. Top speed was around 75mph, which was competitive in its day, and handling was described as excellent. The 4/4 excelled in rallies and trials, very often driven by members of the Morgan family and company employees; there were class wins in the RAC Rallies of 1937/8/9, with some racing successes in Ireland. A Miss Fawcett driving in her first and last motor-race was 13th overall at Le Mans in her 4/4; her co-driver was called White, and he and Anthony were 15th overall in 1939, again in a 4/4. Competition success was always to be part of the Morgan story and the lineage of this car is no different. This two litre Rover T16-powered Morgan is in the hands of only its third owner, an avid Morgan enthusiast. The first, Lord Crofton, ordered this car with a specific body style. Not only is it more level towards the rear but it is also slightly wider. It was built on a Plus 8 chassis which make it a far more usable car in which one can transport more than just a girlfriend. It took many months of searching by the vendor, as well as extensive negotiation, to acquire this most attractive of Plus 4s. It should be noted that the vendor has spent a lifetime owning and racing these hand-built cars and owned the 1962 Le Mans class winning Morgan Plus 4, 'registered TOK258, a car in which he successfully won the British Sports Car Championship in 1981. This car, whilst in his ownership has been garaged and used little. It has been serviced regularly and the engine and transmission are described as being in excellent order throughout. It comes complete with a current MoT test certificate valid until March 2009 as well as V5C registration document and owner's manual. There is also a history file containing bills right back to its original order by Lord Crofton. Options specified when new included a walnut dashboard with leather trimmed clock and centre panel; a modern CD/radio and reclining sports seats complete the interior and with just 15,500 miles recorded, this car offers good value. A rare and extremely well presented example, and just in time for the Morgan centenary celebrations in 2009.