Description
This lot will be auctioned via Iconic Auctioneers, The Iconic Sale at the NEC Classic Motor Show 2024 - Cars on Saturday the 9th of November, NEC, Birmingham, B40 1NT. The Morgan Plus 4 was the company’s most popular model since its launch in 1950 and represented the sweet spot within Morgan’s diverse and celebrated range of models, possessing more power and performance than the contemporary 4/ 4, whilst retaining a level of fuel economy that made it ideal for long-distance touring. A versatile and well-balanced sports car, the Plus 4 became a Morgan institution, before being superseded by the all-new Plus Four in 2020.
Chris Lawrence and Richard Shepherd-Barron’s admirable win in the 2-litre GT Class at the1962 24 Hours of Le Mans driving a Plus Four was the inspiration for Morgan’s creative marketing department to suggest a limited edition 60th Anniversary model based on their then current third generation, 2-litre Duratec-powered Plus Four. Only 62 examples (1962) would be built each, carrying a numbered metal plaque displaying the unique build number and would feature a number of design/ styling cues from the Le Mans winner.
On offer here we have car #50 which has been owned and enjoyed by our vendor since 2017 and has covered just over 19, 400 miles from new. It’s finished in Iris Blue (one of the six ‘launch’ colours available) which is very similar to Gulf Blue (328), an early 1970s Porsche colour adopted by Gulf Oil Motorsport, with Gulf Orange (019), as their signature colours. The Morgan’s first owner chose to enhance the Iris Blue bodywork with orange detailing and Gulf decals and we believe that this is the only 60th Anniversary car so finished.
#50 is powered by a 2-litre, 16v, variable cam, four-cylinder running Jenvey throttle bodies and offering 200bhp. Motorsport underpinnings comprise an LSD, Panhard rod, uprated exhaust system, shock absorbers, anti-tramp bar, brake reaction bars, an aluminium front under tray, and black Minilite centre-lock wheels with 3-eared spinners
Other features include black leather heated (on a Morgan!) bucket seats with embossed headrests, engraved Banjo steering wheel, Tawny-wood dashboard, net door pockets and glovebox, stop-watch timing clocks, a heated screen, Pioneer stereo with USB input, an 'Anniversary Plus Four Super Sports' numbered badge, bonnet scoop with full louvres and bonnet pins, flat back panel with louvres and a Le Mans filler cap. Inclement weather is kept at bay by a 9-stud screen and hood and a Tonneau cover.
Above its normal servicing, the Morgan had a full nut and bolt and electrical check-over in August 2019 by marque specialist, Richard Thorne and again in 2023 when a new clutch master cylinder was fitted. More recently it’s also had plugs, a new ECU and the throttle bodies balanced.
Surely one of the most evocative Morgans of recent years with sound motorsport provenance and ready to be enjoyed.
