Winning bid
£20,000

1986 Morgan Plus Eight

Highlights 

  • Lovely unrestored condition
  • Genuine 63,652 miles
  • Vast history file
  • Full weather gear

The Appeal

 
The wood-framed Morgan sports car is a record holder. Introduced in 1950 and featuring what was deliberately retro styling even back then, the two-seater roadster has been in continuous production for over 73 years, the longest of any car ever made.

During that time, it has had multiple powertrains. Today, you can even have an electric one, but for the true hardcore Morgan fans it’s the 1968-2004 ‘Plus Eight’ that’s the one to have, powered by the venerable Rover V8 alloy-block engine and with a soundtrack to match its open-top thrills and lively rear-drive handling.

This one is a very special car indeed, having had just three owners from new and presented in stunning unrestored condition, with just a few areas of gentle patina. It has a vast history file and has been well loved by all of its previous keepers, as is proven by its remarkably lovely condition.
 
Cars like this are few and far between, as it has an originality to it that’s impossible to replicate. It’s a genuine, unspoilt and original that wears the same paint and trim it did back when it left the Malvern factory in 1986, is complete, original and extremely charming.
 
 

The History and Paperwork

  • Bought new from Phoenix Motors of Exeter in 1986
  • MOT August 2025 – no advisory notes
  • Genuine 63,652 miles
  • Three owners
  • Original owner’s handbook
  • Service book stamped 14 times, most recently at 62,826 miles in 2022
  • Huge folder of bills and invoices from respected classic car specialists
  • Over £1,100 of invoices from past two years
 
 

The Condition

  • Original British Racing Green
  • Never restored
  • Factory magnesium alloy wheels
  • All original paint 
  • Good chassis and wood frame
  • Green leather
  • Leather-faced dash and console area
When you consider it hasn’t seen anything other than regular cleaning over 38 years, the bodywork of the Morgan is astonishing. It’s wholly and completely original, other than for a few small stone chips and marks that have been touched in.
 
That originality means it has a few small blemishes – tiny chips to the paint around the bonnet closures, a few chips and tiny marks, but nothing that jumps out at you and overall it’s in lovely condition – a car that has clearly been well-loved by its three custodians. The original magnesium alloy wheels are in fine order, with good, matching Dunlop tyres all-round.

It comes with a full complement of weather equipment, including clip-on side screens and a detachable roof that’s in great condition and surprisingly easy to attach, along with a full length tonneau cover, also in great condition.
 
It’s a car that’s beautifully original, totally unspoilt and exactly as it left the factory other than for the very gentlest signs of ageing.

The green leather of the Morgan’s cabin complements the bodywork beautifully. It’s a great look, and it’s in generally good condition with no major wear to the dash or door cards and all fully functional switchgear.
 
The driver’s seat is a little patinated in places, but it’s not damaged and has a pleasant patina to it that may mean you prefer to leave it well alone.
 
 

The Mechanics

  • 3.5-litre V8
  • Five-speed manual transmission
  • Starts and runs well with no issues
  • Recent new water pump
With a genuine low mileage of just over 63,500 miles the Morgan has been carefully maintained throughout its life, with a massive file of invoices documenting work carried out including a substantial mechanical overhaul in 2017, at a cost of over £7,000.
 
It starts well, runs sweetly and sounds fantastic. It also comes with the benefit of a five-speed manual transmission, making it a reasonably refined cruiser.
 

BEFORE YOU BUY
This sale is subject to the Car & Classic Terms and Conditions. By bidding and/or making an offer, you also agree to the following:
The seller is registered as a private seller which means consumer rights stemming from EU consumer protection law do not come into effect. However, you are still covered by Car & Classic’s own Terms and Conditions..
We request that a non-refundable fee  be paid if you are the lucky winning bidder at auction or if your offer is accepted Please refer to our helpful FAQs and T&Cs for specific rates.
This vehicle is “Sold As Seen”, on an “As Is Where Is’ basis and without warranty. Photos and descriptions are solely for guidance purposes and it's customary to carry out a full inspection of the vehicle prior to purchase for your own peace of mind.
✓ VAT is included in the buyer's fee. VAT may or may not be included in the final bid or offer price, as specified in the listing.
We want a smooth transaction just as much as you do and as such we run all UK-registered cars and motorbikes for sale on Car & Classic through an online HPI check to verify that they show no insurance database markers for damage or theft, and have no finance owing, allowing you to bid with confidence.
✓ We also check whether vehicles are recorded as being written off as part of an insurance total loss claim at the time an advert is placed on Car & Classic and we helpfully provide write-off category labels (Cat C/D/S/N) for your assistance. However, the presence or absence of a label does not guarantee the vehicle’s status and it is always worthwhile carrying out your own  full vehicle history check before making an offer on a vehicle.
✓ Buyers are responsible for vehicle collection
or delivery. Importing vehicles may result in additional customs duties and import taxes so it’s worth checking beforehand..
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Auction Details

  • Year1986
  • MakeMorgan
  • ModelPlus-8
  • ColourGreen
  • Odometer63,652 Miles
  • Engine size3528cc
  • Seller TypePrivate
  • TownThetford
  • CountyNorfolk
  • CountryUnited Kingdom
  • Auction ends

Bidding history

16 Bids

andrew-••••
Bid
£20,000
28/10/24
oliver-••••
Bid
£19,750
28/10/24
andrew-••••
Bid
£19,500
28/10/24
geoff-f••••
Bid
£18,500
28/10/24
JCC••••
Bid
£18,250
28/10/24
Jb1948••••
Bid
£17,750
28/10/24
oliver-••••
Bid
£17,500
25/10/24
Eagerbe••••
Bid
£17,003
25/10/24
oliver-••••
Bid
£16,500
25/10/24
Jb1948••••
Bid
£16,250
25/10/24

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