It doesn’t get more traditional than a Morgan: we investigate the evergreen 4/4 and Plus 4.

Words & Pics: Paul Wager

There’s not another car company in the world quite like Morgan. Since 1910 the Worcestershire firm has been doing things its own way in complete defiance of accepted business practice in the car industry and has developed a massive following in the process.

The firm started out of course with three-wheelers, only moving into four-wheeled cars in 1936 with the 4-4 (later ‘4/4’), the badge signifying four wheels and four cylinders. Using a steel chassis with ash-framed aluminium bodywork, the car was a lightweight by the standards of the day and provided impressive performance. A four-seater version of the 4-4 was added in 1937, with a drophead coupe afterwards.

Postwar production restarted using the 1267cc Standard engine developed specially for Morgan, but Standard’s decision to discontinue the unit in 1947 saw the fitment of the 68 bhp, 2088cc Vanguard engine which boosted performance significantly, the new car gaining the tag Plus 4 alongside a Moss four-speed box, strengthened chassis, revised suspension and improved brakes.

In 1954 the 4/4 was reintroduced as the Series II on the Plus 4 chassis, now using a Ford engine and box. The familiar radiator grille was adopted and the style of the traditional Morgan hasn’t changed a great deal since then. The Plus Four gained a 90 bhp Triumph TR2 engine in 1955 and then the 100 bhp TR3 unit in 1956, while in 1962 the 4/4 was fitted with the 1500 Ford OHV engine.

The 4/4’s Ford engine was replaced in 1968 by the Ford ‘Kent’ Crossflow, in turn replaced in 1982 by the Ford CVH engine, running with fuel injection from 1991. The CVH engine was replaced by Ford’s Zetec 16V unit in 1992, and then the Ford Duratec.

The Plus Four made a reappearance in 1983, when it used Fiat Twin Cam power, replaced in 1986 by the 2-litre Rover M16 unit (later upgraded to the Rover T16) and built on the Plus Eight chassis.

In 2001 the Rover engine ceased production and the Plus Four disappeared from the range until 2004 when it was reintroduced with the 2-litre Ford Duratec engine. Confused yet? So were we, which is why we visited Allon White Sports Cars in Cranfield which has been a Morgan dealer since 1966, to get the lowdown from the expert, in the shape of Allon White’s Phil Benfield.

WHAT TO LOOK OUT FOR

Chassis
One way to upset a Morgan owner is to repeat the urban myth that the cars are built on a wooden chassis. It’s not so: the chassis has always been steel, with the body frame constructed from ash. From 2000 onwards the 4/4 chassis were galvanised and the two and four-seat models do in fact use the same chassis: it’s the rake of the bodywork and hood at the rear which is different.

Factfile

Clubs

● Morgan Sports Car Club
www.mscc.uk.com

Specialists

● Allon White, Beds
www.allonwhite.co.uk, 0844 573 1966
● Richard Thorne, Berks
www.rtcc.co.uk, 0118 983 1200
● Vintage Sheet metal, Worcs
www.morganspecialist.com, 01684 540 677
● Perranwell Garage, Cornwall
www.perranwell.co.uk, 01872 863037
● Melvyn Rutter, Herts
www.melvyn-rutter.net, 01279 725725

Insurance

1985 Morgan 4/4 1600 4-seater
Comprehensive cover, 40-year-old in Warwick, 10 years’ no claims, clean licence, second car, garaged, 5000 miles  a year: £276 (£250 excess).
Comprehensive cover, retired 60-year-old in Suffolk, 10 years’ no claims, clean licence, second car, garaged, 2000 miles  a year: £133 (£250 excess)
Quotes from Performance Direct (0844 5733504, www.performancedirect.co.uk).

To read the rest of this buyers' guide see the February 2012 issue of Classic Car Mart - available to buy here

.