Description
The Morgan 3. 7 Roadster is the last of the line of the original four-wheel steel chassis Morgans that directly traces back to the 'flat-radiator' 1936 4/ 4 series one, and shares its design with the Plus 4 of 1953 that brought in the lower bonnet and classic Morgan rounded grille. The 3. 7 Roadster announced in 2012 replaced the 3. 0 Roadster that had in-turn replaced the famous Plus 8 that ran from 1968-2004 — it's the final development of the original steel chassis Morgan that had been iteratively developed for an unprecedented 76 years before being replaced in 2019 by the Plus Six and Plus Four with their all aluminium chassis and turbocharged engines (this, for me, is a massive part of the appeal of the Roadster — Porschephiles celebrate the 993 as the last of the line of air-cooled 911s, the world has yet to wake-up to the Roadster as the last of the line of classic Morgan...).
The 3. 7 Roadster introduced the second-generation Ford 3. 7 V6 that had been developed in the early 2000s for various US market Ford and Lincoln cars including the Mustang (and also used by the Ginetta G55 race car in the UK). This torque rich engine produces 280bhp which, with a very tall sixth gear, makes it a super relaxing car to cruise in with loads of instant power (unlike the BMW engine cars, it is naturally aspirated) — and a very fine burbling exhaust note. Weighing in at 950kg, and with 50% more power than a Plus 8, it is exceedingly fleet too. With the 3. 7 Morgan also introduced a five-link rear suspension, twin anti tramp bars, and four adjustable gas dampers as well as many other detail refinements — it is such a brilliant unsung hero of a car... My car is the Brooklands Edition limited series, with a specification that includes: Jaguar ‘Brooklands’ green body, Speed Silver satin bonnet and cowl, Muirhead black leather (matching stitch) with perforated centres, Brooklands steering wheel, black alloy wheels, aero Racing Green front splitter, enamelled Union Jack badge on bonnet, black stone-guard with mesh grille, louvred back panel (+8 style), black hood, black bonnet strap, performance sports seats, body colour (green) dash board, black rubber floor mats, ‘Brooklands racing circuit’ vinyl limited edition graphic on back, ‘Brooklands racing circuit’ embroidered headrest detail, limited edition numbered plaque on dashboard (25 of 50). It also has the optional ‘Black pack’ (A-posts, side screen trims and head light surrounds), a rear-luggage rack, and a leather Morgan suitcase that is perfectly fitted for the luggage rack.
It was recommissioned and had a major service undertaken at a Morgan Specialist included all oils and filters, new plugs, adjustment to rear dampers, new rear brakes and rear bearings and some new gaiters 350 miles ago. Notably this service also included a spark-plug and gearbox oil change which is required at 60, 000 miles or five years, but is rarely undertaken in the 3. 7 V6. The spark plugs may last a long time but corrode into the block if not regularly replaced. And, somewhat remarkably, the 3. 7 Roadster was built without a service hatch to access the gearbox oil - so I had my car fitted with one when the oil was replaced (as such, almost all other 3. 7 Roadsters are still running on their original gearbox oil despite what dealers may say…).
The car is in near-new condition, has only done 6600 miles, is fresh with its major service and recommissioning, has done only 800 miles since its last MOT (and I will get a fresh one put on for its new buyer for piece-of-mind too). Will be sad to see it go, but I'm just not using it enough.
