Description
Peter Morgan designs sports cars for road use or "fast motoring" in the English tradition of the rather inexpensive roadster without aiming for factory-prepared models for competition. He leaves this to pilots and private tuners like Christopher Lawrence. From 1959 the latter entered a roadster + 4 in the GT category less than 2 liters with some success.
In 1960 he changed the steel bodywork to an aluminum one and added a hard top which was compulsory for racing in the GT category. Like any English competitor passionate about the 24 Hours of Le Mans event, he registered his + 4 prepared by himself in 1961 but was refused his entry by the ACO, pushed by the Triumph team who saw this Morgan as a competitor. possible for victory in its category. At the end of 1961, with the aim of participating in the 1962 24 Hours of Le Mans, TOK 258 was fitted this time with a more aerodynamic so-called “Low Body” bodywork, but without the agreement of the factory, which greatly irritated Peter Morgan.
This time the ACO accepts TOK 258 which we see at the April trials in its red dress. At the organizer's request, the car is repainted in BRG, the famous British Racing Green, the official color of the United Kingdom since it is entered by the Morgan brand. The hard top is painted in OEW to avoid suffering too much from the heat. After a smooth race and only 28 minutes pit stop to refuel the Lawrence/ Baron crew won the less than 2 liter class. This resounding victory will be a magnificent publicity for Morgan and its Super Sports and will allow the launch of this specific model in small series. Sir Lawrence will be the initiator and also the preparer of the engines of TR3 version 2 liters but also 2. 2 going from a power of 115 hp to 125 hp for the latter. About a hundred authentic models recognized by the factory were manufactured from 1961 to 1968. 42% left for the United States and today there are 5 authentic chassis in France. The first chassis, up to 1963, were fitted with the High Body with a narrower, riveted scoop for the 42 or 45 Weber carburettors. engine preparation, exhaust pipes, improved suspensions, increase the bill. It should be noted that this is one of the rare cases where the customer of a car manufacturer is at the origin of a series of 100 cars over a period of 8 years.
The + 4 super sports model is Morgan's most emblematic, just like the Carrera 2. 7 RS at Porsche. Proof that it is indeed a well-born car, TOK 258 and XR 1 are still racing today in historic competition and are still in front.
Super Sports #4826 is the second built and the first left-hand drive. It left the factory on June 21, 1961 with 4837, heading to the importer Fergus Motor in New York. The two cars are painted red which brings up an anecdote: Indeed the bonnet numbers are reversed and that of 4826 is found on 4837 and vice versa. Asked about this anomaly, the factory archivist will not be at all surprised and will tell us "that's Morgan" The story of 4826 in the USA ends in 1992, stored in a barn to appear for sale 2013 upon the death of its owner.
The current owner was looking for an authentic SS with the help of the English specialist Richard Thorne when the latter offered him this barn find, but with a total restoration. Before embarking on such a project, he provides all the indisputable proof of the model's authenticity after having sought the expertise of Martyn Webb, archivist at the Morgan factory. Indeed in the Record Book, held by hand, the chassis of + 4 is listed with the mention Super Sports in red ballpoint pen. Other times… other methods!!!
With the instruction to preserve as many original parts as possible, the restoration will take two years, giving it that flavor of authenticity that this kind of car deserves. The budget is therefore substantial because 4826 is completely rebuilt from a new chassis re-stamped with its number. The second challenge is to put it in FIA configuration to race on the circuit but keeping the period characteristics. The PTH is obtained in Period E and remains valid until 2026. It has a French collector's registration card.
Challenges met when you see the photos with this "matching color" paintwork with the body-colored hard top reminiscent of TOK 258 at the April 1962 tests at Le Mans with number 28. After two years of waiting, the joy is to put 4826 back in its original cradle on the place where it was born at the Morgan factory in Malvern. A great emotional moment in the presence of the editor of the MOG magazine, a magazine devoted exclusively to the brand. A 4-page report will immortalize this meeting (see photos).
From the start, despite its rarity and authenticity, the goal the owner had set himself was to bring it back to the circuits and therefore to equip it with the FIA.
Since 2016 it has been made more reliable, improved with a Moss gearbox and a Salisbury bridge from JB Engineering. 45mm Webber carburettors have replaced the 42 and the 145hp are there! With a weight of 870 kilos it is very easy to drive because it is very balanced with powerful and enduring braking.
The car is eligible for Le Mans Classic (plateau 3), Tour Auto, Sixties Endurance, Fifties Legend, ...
