Highlights
- Brilliantly presented, rare, older restoration
- In excellent mechanical order
- Four seat layout for added practicality
The Appeal
There are few things in the motoring world as consistent as a Morgan. To this day the legendary sports cars boast lightweight construction, a punchy engine and rewarding chassis and driveline all combined into an elegant, classically styled package. The car we have here today shows that even back in 1951, Morgan were still using these core principles to create truly excellent automobiles.
An older restoration, this incredibly early 1951 model hails from the first few years of Plus Four production, and having amassed very little mileage since its refurbishment, still presents incredibly well.
With the added bonus of a four seater layout, this charming little roadster is an ideal candidate to become the classic car in the collection which the whole family can enjoy. Effortlessly combining stylish, vintage motoring with increased space, comfort and practicality.
The History and Paperwork
- First registered in 19/12/1951
- Despatched to B Roy LTD
- Believed to have been kept within the same family from new in 1951 until the early 2000s
- Towards the end of its previous ownership, the car was sent to Morgan specialist Melvyn Rutter for restoration however circumstances meant the project stalled out and the current owner purchased the car circa 2002, and proceeded to have the restoration completed by a friend and well respected Morgan and racing specialist
- Accompanied by a comprehensive collection of servicing history and invoices for parts bought for the start of the restoration under the previous owner
- As the restoration and rebuild was performed by a friend of the owner, there isn’t much in the way of paperwork and invoicing from this era of the car’s life
- While the original logbook says the colour was green, the letter sent from the Morgan Motor Company detailing the build details and specs of the vehicle when it left the factory says it's black (most likely a logbook mistake)
- Older style registration booklet present
- Correct and current V5 registration document is also with the car
- Several previous MOT certificates dating well into the car’s past
- Both tax and MOT exempt due to the vehicle’s historic status
- Dry stored throughout current ownership
The Interior
- Great red leather upholstery
- Four seater layout with static seat belts
- Removable tonneau cover
An excellent pairing to the black exterior work, the supple red leather upholstery is of a great standard and has clearly borne the test of time incredibly well, distinctly lacking in wear, blemishing or tears, a confident sign that the car has been well cared for and seen very limited use throughout its ownership. The current owner attests to this and suggests just a few hundred miles have been amassed in recent years and that with their children now of an older age, the rear seats have been near untouched, hence the great quality of the leather seen in the rear.
As highlighted in the spec sheet attached to the letter from the Morgan Motor Company, this particular Plus Four was fitted with a removable tonneau cover from the factory. Whilst the original is still present with the vehicle, it had begun to show signs of age and wear and thus a replacement cover was sourced which will also come with the car upon sale. The cover is of a good standard and can be used to cover the entire cockpit or instead just the passenger seating, leaving the driver’s seat exposed.
Inside the wood finish dash panel and adjoining gauges and switchgear all appear to be in great shape, with all of the aforementioned switchgear believed to be in good working order. The only known issues here as highlighted by the vendor is the fuel gauge which doesn’t currently work nor does the dashboard clock.
The Exterior
- Classic Morgan styling
- Removable canvas roof and windows
- Good quality chrome trim
A recipe unchanged throughout time. Morgan’s styling can be described as just that. No bad thing of course as the Morgan lineup is a thing of beauty, with the Plus Four being no exception to this. Long sweeping wings and lashings of chrome trim. It really is a handsome car, made even better by its dashing black paintwork.
Being an older restoration the car does show some general patina, signs of age and blemishing including a patch of paint damage on the corner of one of the bonnet panels as highlighted in the accompanying photographic package however overall, the car presents excellently and is a very genuine and honest example of the coveted model.
The chrome trim that adorns much of the car is of a brilliant standard and still exudes a marvellous shine from nearly all angles. An undoubtedly great compliment to the black body panels.
At ground level we find four excellent black steel wheels with decorative chrome hubcaps, all of which are of a great standard. A fifth full size spare is mounted within a bespoke cutout on the rear panel of the car.
The Mechanics
- Engine rebuild and new head in 2019
- Covered around 500 miles since engine rebuild
- In great overall mechanical order
Unhinging the two bonnet panels reveals a very neat example of the 1991cc Triumph's TR 4 2 Litre engine fitted with a high port head. The engine was completely rebuilt with a "new" cylinder head in late 2019 by Mass Racing, and fitted by JB Sports. It has done less than 500 miles since then and in total the vehicle has done about 10000 miles whilst in the current ownership. The gearbox is also smooth and all gears select and drive with no whine.
Now the Morgan is reported to be a wonderful performer on the road, courtesy of its punchy engine which gets the little roadster along the country lanes in great form, with an exuberant tone bellowing from the exhaust system. Is there anything more quintessentially British than an open top Morgan blasting along a B Road?
Summary
The Morgan is the very personification of tradition and quality in classic motoring and the Plus Four is a rather fine example of that notion. Well built, classically styled and suitably powered, the Plus Four is just one example from the Morgan lineup that highlights why the company is still around today, nearly 100 years later, making cars the same way they always have.
This Plus Four is an excellent example of the model. Well presented, well maintained and boasting a recent engine rebuild it ticks all the boxes the discerning Morgan buyer could want whilst also ticking the often unchecked box of four seat practicality. It really is an ideal classic family cruiser.
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