Morgan Plus 4 Four-Seater DHC

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Launched at the 1950 Earls Court Motor Show, the Plus 4 was a more powerful version of the venerable 4/4, Morgan’s first four-wheeler which had made its debut in 1936.

Built on a strengthened and slightly lengthened 4/4 chassis, it was the first Morgan to feature hydraulic brakes and initially used a Standard Vanguard 2,088cc engine driving through a Moss 4-speed gearbox. In 1953 a higher performance version was available using the excellent Triumph TR3 1,991cc engine. Now with 100bhp on tap it could sprint to 60mph in 9.3 seconds with a top speed a whisker over the magic ton.

The highlight of the Plus 4’s career was undoubtedly its emphatic victory in the under two-litre class at Le Mans in 1962 driven by Chris Lawrence and Richard Sheppard-Barron. A stupendous achievement considering that the car was driven from London to take part, ran nigh-on faultlessly for 24-hours averaging a whisker under 100mph for the entire time (including stops!) and then, as money was in short supply, driven home after the race!

Available with either two- or four-seater coachwork, it was a viable competitor to rival offerings from Jaguar, Riley and Alvis and remained in production until 1969 during which time 3,642 examples of all types were sold (although, in true Morgan style, the Plus 4 was relaunched in 1985 and is still available today).

As a special order (the factory didn’t really like making them much as they were complicated and therefore quite disruptive), the customer could order a Drop Head Coupe version which had a much more civilised body with large rear hinged doors, coachbuilt screen pillars and a more substantial hood. From 1954-56 a four-seat version was also available.

This Plus 4 four-seat DHC is therefore a very rare car and has been in the same family ownership from new. The factory records state that it was delivered to Car Mart in Hastings from where it was collected by its owner and taken back to London where it was to live for many years.

Passing into the hands of his son, it had deteriorated over the years and he entrusted it's rebuild to Vic Champness of Black Phey, well known restorers of all-things Morgan, where it  was given the full works. A new chassis frame with cross-head was sourced into which a later TR4A engine was added, bored out to 2.2-litres and fitted with a Hi-torque starter and alternator. The front brakes were upgraded to discs and bigger drums were fitted at the rear – a wise mod given the extra performance that was guaranteed from the larger engine.

It was decided that the most cost-effective solution would be to fit a new aluminium-skinned body, although the wings remain in steel, the fronts being fitted with protectors underneath to stop stone damage to the single-skin panel. The original seats were stripped, the frames restored and then beautifully retrimmed in black leather. The hood was retrimmed in blue mohair and Speedycables attended to the instruments. Everything was either replaced or restored, including the wiring loom, and the job was completed in 2003.

It was driven some 300 miles before once again being carefully put back into storage while the vendor focussed on a major house restoration project which is still ongoing. Having not driven it for some years and still some way off completing the house, he has reluctantly decided that the Morgan must go.

Remaining in superb restored condition, a fluid change and brake check after its period in storage would be an advisable precaution, as would some initial tempering of the 'right foot' until the engine is properly run-in. Other than that it is ready to go and looks as good as the day it left the factory back in 1955.