Morgan 4/4 Series 1 Two-seater

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An island of constancy in an automotive sea of change, the Morgan Motor Company looks set to continue building its unique Vintage-style cars well into the 21st Century.

Indeed, the Morgan 4/4 is the world's longest running production vehicle, today's version being recognisably the same car as its 1936 forebear and none the worse for that. After formative years spent in the drawing office of the Great Western Railway, engineer HFS Morgan progressed to automobile manufacture, showing his first three-wheeled car at Olympia in 1910.

The first production four-wheeled Morgan, the 4/4 appeared in December 1935 when HFS Morgan completed the London-Exeter Trial in one. It was powered by a 1,122cc, inlet-over-exhaust, Coventry Climax 'four' that transmitted its 34bhp to the Salisbury back axle via a centre-mounted four-speed Meadows gearbox (a Moss 'box was used later). The newcomer inherited its sliding-pillar front suspension, simple cross-braced steel chassis and long bonnet, short tail looks from the three-wheelers.

Two years later a special Climax-engined sports model competed at Le Mans, qualifying for the Biennial Cup. A special Standard 1,267cc overhead-valve four-cylinder engine was introduced for the 1939 season and would continue to power the 4/4 model to 1950.

One of only 663 of its type built pre-war (a further 229 Series 1 cars finding customers post war), this historic early 4/4 was supplied new by Adam & Gibbon Ltd of Newcastle in June 1937. Nothing is known of its subsequent history until 1994 when it was discovered in Frome, Somerset, by one John Hornsby-Smith.

The car was then fully restored by marque specialist Barry Nevitt of Preston including the fitment of a later and more reliable rebuilt 1,147cc Triumph Herald unit, which is mated to the original Moss gearbox. There are bills of file for works carried out and parts supplied by the likes of DBT Engineering, Morgan Sports Car Club, Stephen Grundy Coach Trimming, etc.

Purchased by the previous owner in 2003, he kept it until his death in 2014 when it was acquired by the vendor, a family friend. The car is well known within the Morgan Sports Car Club as the last two owners are long term enthusiasts within the club and have used ‘Geoffrey’, as the 4/4 is affectionately known, on various European rallies and events across the Midlands and South East in particular.

Described as “a good useable car, ready to enjoy”, it comes complete with side screens, tonneau cover and two large history files, the latter containing a photographic record of the restoration and the aforementioned bills.