1962 Morgan Plus Four

From the mid-1900s through the 1930s, the Morgan Motor Company built a car that had three wheels. The Morgan 4/4 introduced in 1936 was its first four-wheeled vehicle and it continued to follow the traditional coachbuilding methods of fitting steel or aluminum bodies over an ash frame. The Morgan Plus 4 that followed had a similar appearance to its predecessor but incorporated several notable improvements including a strengthened frame, longer wheelbase, revised suspension, and hydraulic brakes

The Morgan Plus 4 was introduced in 1950 and produced through 1969, and then re-introduced in 1985. The Plus 4 was a larger, more powerful, and faster version of the company's popular 4/4 model. Power was from a 2088cc inline four-cylinder engine sourced from Standard Vanguard upon the model's introduction. With the Vanguard engine installed, the Plus 4 was placed in the over-2-liter class for racing purposes, forcing it to compete against cars of much larger capacity. As a result, the 1,991cc Triumph TR2 engine was made available in 1953. Throughout its production lifespan, the Plus 4 received several updates while retaining its classic styling cues.

The 1960s models were powered by Triumph-sourced inline four-cylinder engines borrowed from the Triumph TR3, and later the TR4. The overhead-valve engines were paired with a Moss 4-speed manual transmission, Girling hydraulic front disc and rear drum brakes, and the Morgan sliding-pillar independent front and semi-elliptical sprung rear suspension. The wood-framed and hand-formed steel-bodied roadster was created in the finest Morgan handcrafted tradition and British sports-car heritage. The interiors featured a woodgrain instrument panel and steering wheel, and leather seating.

At the 1962 24 Hours of LeMans, Lawrence and Richard Shepherd-Barron drove their Plus 4 to 13th place overall and a class win in the GT2 category.

by Dan Vaughan

Roadster

Morgan's +4 was a larger and more powerful version of its earlier car, the 4/4. The +4 started out using a 2088cc four-cylinder Standard Vanguard engine, while the 4/4 used a smaller, 1267cc Ford engine. Later +4s, such as this one from 1962, used the Triumph engine (developed from the Vanguard's) from the TR series. This particular car uses the TR4's 2138cc unit and is a four-passenger Drop Head Coupe. The DHC was offered in both two- and four-seat versions and was fitted with more luxury appointments than its Roadster version. The +4 disappeared after 1969 only to be revived in 1985.

Roadster

This Morgan Supersports is one of 95 2-seater models built between 1961 and 1967. It was imported and immediately raced on the west coast of the United States in SCCA races. It competed from 1962 through 1966 in C Production. It fell into disrepair but was restored by Steve Miller in San Francisco, California in 1990. It was then raced in numerous vintage races.

The current owner purchased it in 2002 and has continued racing, winning the SVRA Group 3 Championship in 2003.

Roadster
Chassis number: 5303

This 1962 Morgan +4, chassis number 5305, has been rebuilt to Super Sports Specifications. Its current owner has been racing the car in vintage competition for 18 years. It is a four-time winner of the Can Tab Cup, the all Morgan race at Summit Point, WV, 2-time SVRA overall Group 3 winner at Summit Point Raceway, and Winner of the all Morgan Race at Meadowbrook Historic Races. It was awarded the Peter Heleck Award at Meadowbrook Hall Concours.

Roadster
Chassis number: 5231

This 1962 Morgan is powered by a TR3 motor and a Moss 4-speed gearbox. It was purchased by its current owner in 2004. It was delivered in July of 1962 to a Morgan dealer in New York state and later purchased by a doctor who kept it until the mid-1980s, at which point it was sold to an individual in Tacoma, Washington. The individual kept it for roughly a decade.

In 2006, the car was given a complete restoration.

by Dan Vaughan

Roadster
Chassis number: 4959

The Morgan Plus 4 was introduced in 1950 as a more powerful entry in the postwar British sports car craze from the company with a sporting lineage that stretches back to its 1909 Morgan 3-wheeled motorcar and subsequent 4-wheeled Morgan 4/4 roadster. In the 1950s, Morgan turned to its fellow British sports-car maker Triumph for the 2.0-liter 4-cylinder engine that powered the Plus 4 line.

This particular example was delivered from Britain to Fergus Imported Cars in New York, and it retains its original selling-dealer's ID plate. The wood-framed and hand-formed steel-bodied roadster was the subject of a restoration some time ago, and it has since been the subject of more recent updates for improved performance and traditional style. The TR3-sourced overhead-valve engine has since been upgraded with dual Weber carburetors on a Cannon intake manifold and exhaust header to extract more than the factory-rated 100 HP. The inline-4 is backed by a Moss 4-speed manual transmission. Hydraulic front disc and rear drum brakes work with the Morgan sliding-pillar independent front and semi-elliptical sprung rear suspension for classic British sports-car road handling.

This Morgan has a hand-built rust-free body finished in a two-tone gold-over-copper paint scheme. The cockpit features its original wood dash and wood-rimmed banjo steering wheel with a roll bar installed for added safety on the road or track. Lucas driving lights supplement the primary headlamps, and a new Haartz tan cloth convertible top is ready in case of inclement weather. Factory-issued pressed-steel wheels were sandblasted and powder-coated prior to the mounting of five new Vredestein radial tires and new chrome-plated hubcaps.

by Dan Vaughan

In 1936, the Morgan 4/4 was first introduced as Morgan Motor Company's first car. The '4-4', which would later come to be known as '4/4', stood for four cylinders and four wheels. The vehicles that Morgan had produced prior to the 4-4 were three-wheelers, with V-twin engines.

Throughout the years, there have been many variations, body styles, and series of the original '4-4'. Production of the '4-4' has been nearly constant since the beginning, except for a short halt of production during World War II. During the War, it manufactured anti-aircraft gun parts and undercarriage components.

From 1936 through 1939, there were 663 two-seater versions produced. All with a four-speed Meadows transmission. They featured an 1122 cc. Coventry Climax engine with overhead inlet and side exhaust valves that produced 34 horsepower. The morgan was quick with a top speed of 80 miles-per-hour and a 0 to sixty time of around 28 seconds. A year after the introduction, a four-seater option became available. Though not as popular as the two-seater, 99 were produced from 1937 through 1939. In 1938 the DropHead coupe variation was introduced of which, 58 were produced between 1938 to 1939.

Production took a break during World War II, but later resumed. From 1946 through 1950, 2490 more examples were constructed and used a Standard Special 1256 cc. overhead cam engine producing 38.8 horsepower. A Moss transmission was used in place of the Meadows gearbox. The four-seater and drophead coupe options were still available. During the 1946 to 1950 time frame, 140 four-seaters and 106 DropHead coupes were produced.

In 1947, the Standard Motor Company informed Morgan that after 1949, the 1267 cc. engine would not be available due to their 'One Engine Policy'.

In 1949, when the 1267 cc was no longer available, Morgan began using a Vanguard 1.8 litre engine and introduced to the public the 'Plus Four'. Eventually, a 2080cc Vanguard engine that produced 68 horsepower was used. The front suspension was improved, the frame was strengthened, and Girling hydraulic brakes were fitted on all four corners. The top speed was 85 miles per hour with a zero to sixty time of 17.9 seconds. Priced competitively, the Plus Four was an instant success.

In 1954 the Vanguard engine was replaced with a Triumph TR2 1991 cc. powerplant that provided 90 horsepower. The zero to sixty time was now around 13 seconds. The 100-mile-per-hour mark was easily achievable. To help with the aerodynamics, the radiator was placed beneath the bodywork.

The Series II was introduced in 1955. Instead of the Standard Special engine, a Ford 100E engine utilizing a Ford three-speed gear was used. The engine was capable of producing 36 horsepower. Production of the Series II lasted five years and ended near the end of 1960. 386 examples were produced.

In 1956, the Plus 4 received a Triumph TR3 engine that was capable of producing 100 horsepower. The vehicle could be ordered in lightweight aluminum bodies making them excellent for competition. In 1959, performance and safety were enhanced by the addition of 11-inch Girling disc brakes.

The Series III picked up where the Series II left off. Mounted in the front, the Ford Anglia 105E, 997 cc. engine was capable of producing 39 horsepower. The three-speed transmission was replaced with the four-speed gearbox adding to the performance of the vehicle. During its production life span which last from October of 1960 through November of 1961, only 58 examples were produced.

Following the Series III was the Series IV. It too had a relatively short life span lasting from October of 1961 through March of 1963. The Series IV used a Ford Classic 109E engine that now produced 23 more horsepower than its predecessor. With a total of 62 horsepower and a Ford four-speed transmission, the Series IV was quick. 114 examples were produced.

In 1961, the Plus 4 Super Sport was introduced. With the highly tuned Triumph engine producing 116 horsepower, speeds exceeding 115 miles-per-hour were easily achieved.

The 4/4 Series V was introduced in February of 1963 and produced until March of 1968. 65 horsepower was produced from the Ford Cortina 116E engine. A Ford four-speed manual gearbox was still standard equipment. During it's life span, 639 examples were produced.

During the 1963 Earl's Court Motor Show, Morgan introduced the Plus 4 Plus. The Plus 4 Plus featured a stronger Plus 4 chassis, glass fiber body, and a 2138 cc. Triumph TR4 engine. The top speed was around 100 miles per hour. Unfortunately, the car did not sell very well and production ceased two years later. Only twenty-six examples were produced.

In 1966, the Triumph TR engine was replaced with a powerplant supplied by Rover Motor Company. The engine was an aluminum V8 engine that brought about the Morgan Plus 8, a project headed by Maurice Owen. The Plus 8 was not introduced to the public until the 1968 Earls Court Motor Show. The 3529 cc. V8 engine was capable of producing 160 horsepower at 5200 rpm. It was fast! With a 0 to sixty time of 6.7 and a top speed of 125 mph, it was a substantial improvement over the Plus 4.

In 1968, the 1600 was introduced. The name 1600 came about due to its engine size of 1599 cc. The Ford Kent engine came in different flavors. There was a 2737E that produced 70 horsepower, a 2737 GT and 2265E that both produced 95.5 horsepower. Produced until March of 1982, 3513 examples were created.

In November of 1981, the engine was replaced with a Fiat 1584 cc twin-cam engine and Fiat five-speed gearbox. The horsepower rating was now up to 98. Production continued until 1985 during which time 96 examples were created.

In March of 1982, a Ford 1597 cc CVH engine and Ford four-speed gearbox powered the Morgan. A Ford five-speed transmission from the Ford Sierra replaced the four-speed in 1984. During the production life span lasting from 1982 through November of 1991, 1652 examples were created.

In November of 1991, a Ford 1597 cc CVH engine with electronic fuel injection and creating 100 horsepower was being used.

The Morgan 4/4 has stood the test of time. The light and sturdy frame matched with some impressive power plants have made the vehicle practical, cost-competitive, and fun to drive.

by Dan Vaughan