Beschreibung
Kelham Hall | Newark, Nottinghamshire
Viewing: Tuesday 9th September from 12pm
Auction: Wednesday 10th September from 9am
Location: Main Street, Newark, Nottinghamshire NG23 5QX
1968 Morgan Plus 4 Drophead Coupé
Benefits from the original Lawrencetuned engine
Estimate
£22, 000 - £26, 000
Registration No: MOC 155F
Chassis No: 6668
MOT: Exempt
Boasts the original engine, which was worked on by Lawrencetune during the 1970s
One of just c. 450 Plus 4 Drophead Coupé’s produced
Warranted 65, 500 miles from new and just six owners
Fully restored by marque specialists Allon White & Son Ltd. in 1982
Offered with a large history file
First seen in 1950, the Morgan Plus 4 was a larger and more powerful derivative of the company's 4/ 4 and remained in production on and off for seventy years. Until 1969, it was powered by the four-cylinder engines found in the Triumph TR range, which were mated to a four-speed manual gearbox with well-spaced ratios. The rakish body was mounted on a variant of Morgan's familiar Z-section chassis, underslung at the rear. The suspension was independent by sliding pillars and coil springs at the front and a live axle on semi-elliptic springs at the rear. Braking was by drums all-round and steering by a Burman cam and sector system. As tested by Autosport's John Bolster, the 100bhp 1, 991cc Triumph-engined Plus 4 would accelerate to 60mph in 9. 6 seconds and on to a top speed of a whisker under 105mph.
One of the most unusual Morgan variants, this outstanding Plus 4 Drophead Coupé has ownership history from new. Registered in February, 1968, and originally White, it was retained by the factory for two years but in February, 1970, was bought by David Ray of London SW3. After two months, he sold it to William J. Davies of London W2, and in the autumn of 1971 it passed viâ John Britten Garages of Barnet to David S. Pilgrim of the Buckinghamshire and Bedfordshire region. He kept it until 1986, after which it spent 27 years in single ownership before the vendor acquired it in 2013.
The colour change to Moss Green occurred in 1971, which is around the time that the engine was tweaked by Lawrencetune. In 1982, at 52, 000 miles, the Morgan underwent extensive renovation by Allon White & Son Ltd., a Morgan agent, for some £6000. The work included the reconstruction of the car on a new galvanised chassis, along with a repaint, upholstery work, ash frame repairs and an engine rebuild. While the engine received new valves, bearings, pistons and a new clutch, the chassis gained new springs and kingpins and the body got new rear wings, a front bumper and a grille.
Impressively, the present mileage of 65, 500 miles is said to be genuine. Much additional work was completed during 2013 and 2014, including a cylinder head rebuild and unleaded conversion, a brake overhaul, plus fitment of a new windscreen and Blockley tyres. Further equipment includes a Moss gearbox, an oil cooler, a Kenlowe fan, a high-torquer starter and an alloy sump. The carburettor and distributor have been rebuilt in the present ownership and the radiator has been recored. Possibly the last Drophead Morgan produced, this car is also a past trophy-winner and sprint and hill-climb competitor. Sold with workshop manuals, the original instruction book, period photographs, invoices, MOTs from 1971 onwards plus a concours trophy, this car fully deserves the attention of every discerning sports-car enthusiast.
** Bidding will take place live at the venue, online via our H&H website, by telephone and commission - T&Cs apply**
Parking and entry into the auction is free for auction attendees with a catalogue, available at the door.
Catalogues can be purchased for £20 (admits 2 people).
