The Morgan Sports Car

A review of The Morgan Sports Car, focusing on the development, important features, and technical data of each model in the range, from the Plus 4 to the Plus 8.

In this Article, I offer a nostalgic look at The Morgan Sports Car, one of an elite group of classic cars, which was manufactured during the period 1950 to 2000+.

During the 1930’s, Morgan introduced a range of Three Wheelers which, after suitable development, evolved in the Aero and Sports models.

They used a modified motorcycle engine which was cooled either by air or liquid. The engine was positioned ahead of the front wheels. Production ended in 1939.

In 1932, the F-series of Three Wheelers was introduced, with the F4. It used a new steel chassis, a 4-cylinder Ford engine, and a four seater body.

A two seater F2 came in 1935, and a sporty F Super in 1937. Production of Three Wheelers ended in 1952.

The first four wheeled Morgan appeared in 1936, and was designated the 4-4 (meaning 4 cylinders and 4 wheels) Series 1. Manufacture of both the 4-4 and Three Wheelers continued until 1952.

In 1950, the Morgan Plus 4 was launched. It used the larger (hence the plus) 2.1 litre Standard Vanguard engine, whilst the 4-4 used a Standard Special 1267 cc unit.

In 1953, the 1991 cc Triumph TR3 engine was added to produce a higher performance model. Two and four seater convertibles and drop head coupes were available.

The Morgan 4-4 two seater, built between 1936-1950, was now designated the Morgan 4/4 Series 1.

The 4/4 Series 2 was introduced in 1955. It was a two seater sports car with a three speed gearbox. Similar in appearance to its predecessor, there were a number of changes, including use of the Morgan Plus 4 chassis.

The Morgan 4/4 Series 3 appeared in 1960. Similar to the Series 2, it used a 1 litre Ford engine and a four speed gearbox.

The Series 4 appeared in 1961. It used a 1.3 litre Ford engine with a four speed gearbox.

The Series 5 was launched in 1963. It used a larger 1.5 litre Ford engine and a four speed gearbox.

In 1964, a version of the Morgan Plus 4, designated the Morgan Plus 4 Plus, was introduced. It was a two seater coupe with a fibre glass body, giving it both lightweight and reduced drag characteristics.

However, it did not sell since the use of fibre glass instead metal broke the Morgan concept.

In 1968, the Morgan 4/4 1600 was introduced. It was offered as a two and four seater convertible.

Between 1968 and 1993, it used a variety of different 1.6 litre power units:

  • 1968 – Ford 1599 cc unit developing 70-95 bhp
  • 1981 – Fiat 1584 cc twin cam unit developing 98 bhp
  • 1982 – Ford 1597 cc
  • 1991 – Ford 1597 cc with fuel injection developing 100 bhp

In 1993, Morgan launched the 4/4 1800. It used a Ford 1796 cc, 16-valve engine developing 114 bhp.

By 1968, the growing unavailability of large four cylinder engines caused Morgan to add the Rover 3.5 litre, V8 unit with two SU carburettors, into the Plus 4.

Hence, the Morgan Plus 8 was born.

In 1983, the two Stromberg carburettors, which replaced SU’s in 1981, were themselves replaced by a Bosch fuel injection system.

In 1990, a 3.9 litre version of the Rover engine, with Lucas fuel injection, was added to the Plus 8.

In 1996, the car was offered, as an optional extra, a 4.6 litre, fuel injected engine.

During the period 1950’s to 1960’s, almost all sports car production was exported to the US.

Following a halt in exports due to US emission control regulations, from 1974 to 1992, exports to the US of Plus 8 sports cars had their engines modified, by local dealers, to run on propane gas.

In this way, there was no infringement of emission regulations. Exports to the US finally ended in 2006.

This marked the end of the classic Morgan sports car.

Beyond 2000, Morgan produced a number of exciting sports cars which, sadly, fall beyond the time frame of this review.

Perhaps this stroll down memory lane might have answered, or at least shed light on, a possible question:

Which Morgan Sports Car IS Your Favourite?

However, should this question still remain unanswered, I will be reviewing, in some detail, in future articles within my website, the entire range of Morgan sports cars which were featured in the memorable era spanning 1950 to 2000.

I hope you join me in my nostalgic travels “down sports car memory lane”.



Source by Peter Radford