Highlights
- Very, rare 2litre Fiat twin cam 4/4
- Low mileage car in great order
- Desirable blue over black colour scheme
- Just six registered keepers from new
- Long MOT to July 2024
The Appeal
A Morgan with a Fiat engine, surely not? This quirk of history came about during a brief period in late 1981 when Ford’s switch from Kent to CVH engines put supply to Morgan in question. Thanks to the firm’s six month lead times it needed security so it looked to Fiat.
1600 CVH customers could opt to upgrade for £70 to Fiat power with a 5spd gearbox. Fuel injected 1.6 and 2litre versions were available. Despite the intrinsic appeal of Lampredi’s famed twin cam, perhaps it was customers’ preference for UK power that resulted in just 200 being built until 1987 - split equally between the two displacements.
That makes this 1985 2litre very rare. And certainly desirable because the marriage of Morgan and Fiat’s brilliant engine is surely one for modern day buyers to relish. A very low mileage car in good order with lot of history and a long MOT, it is a tantalising opportunity for enthusiasts of these great British - and, it turns out, Italian-infused - sports cars.
The History and Paperwork
- First UK registered on 1st September 1985
- Chassis number relates to the 1600 CVH 4/4 as this engine was an optional upgrade for those buyers
- Appears to be car 854 of the 2,463 1600CVHs built
- One of only around 144 2litre Fiat-engined 4/4 built from October 1985 to 1987
- That makes this car one of the first of these to be built
- Just six registered keepers since new but it has been within the same family since 1995 at the same address
- Old tax discs and raft of old MOTs to support low mileage
- Online MOT records indicate very sparing use since 2006 with less than 2,000 miles covered
- Invoices from the 1990s for repairs including various work by Morgan factory
- Bodywork and paintwork repairs in 2008
- MOT to 5th July 2024 with small minor advisories and less than 200 miles covered since test
- DVLA states this car has a 4spd manual gearbox
- Reputable sources state that Fiat twin cam Morgans were offered with 5spds
The Condition
- Well kept and tastefully understated dark blue paintwork in good order
- Purposeful wide chrome wire wheels in good order showing only light tarnish
- Avon Turbosteel tyres appearing to be in good order
- Exterior fittings including lights, glass, chrome and rear luggage rack in good order
- Some light wear visible to underside of rear bumper
- Black vinyl roof with sidescreens showing good fit and finish
- Matching black tonneau cover
- Well kept and factory original interior with black leather sports seats
- Veneer dashboard in good condition with only light delamination visible
- Morgan pedal rubbers
- Some misting to shrouds of Smiths dials but readable and usable
- Three spoke leather-rimmed steering wheel
The Mechanics
- 1,995cc Fiat ‘Lampredi’ twin cam developing 122bhp
- 5spd manual gearbox
- Bosch fuel injection system
- Good history file supporting low indicated mileage
BEFORE YOU BUY
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