One of the more enjoyable car brands to read about is Morgan, simply because of the traditions that have influenced the manufacturer’s assembly process. Using ash wood framework and traditional styling, the Morgan is an instantly recognizable British classic that offers a slightly different take on a vintage roadster. Truth be told, I’ve been smitten lately by these and the Caterham 7, which offer two very different approaches to open-air motoring. This 1995 Morgan 4/4 roadster is said to have been a one-owner car until the original British owner passed away. Find it here on craigslist on Bainbridge Island, WA for $29,500.
The Morgan’s construction is a romantic affair, a hand-built process made all the more alluring by the wood framing underneath the classic sheetmetal. The ash wood is hand cut and pieced together like a puzzle, with individuals pieces glued together. It seems strange to conceive of a car being made this way until you begin to understand the genius behind it: wood is surprisingly strong compared to steel, and lighter – offering a favorable ratio of strength relative to its weight. While there were occasionally concerns about the wood losing it shape over time, history is on Morgan’s side in terms of the car holding up fine after decades of regular use.
In addition to the Morgan’s history, this car is also immensely appealing for its provenance. With just one owner from new who was both British and who took delivery at the UK factory, you can almost imagine the smile on his face when he brought this Morgan home for the first time. The Brits are proud of their motoring heritage and this car is a terrific example of the ingenuity that went into not only bringing these cars to life but maintaining the original form and function for decades after. The wire wheels, the luggage rack, the two-tone paint – all of it is unmistakably Morgan.
While you can experience the Morgan in its purest form by finding an early 1960s model, the later cars are the way to go, in my book. The interiors were updated significantly over the years, and this car looks almost modern inside. It will certainly feel that way with bucket seats that have supportive bolstering and a modern 3-spoke steering wheel that won’t crack and wither in the sunlight. The engine should be a 1.8-liter Ford Zetec engine that makes a healthy 114 horsepower and approximately 120 lb-ft of torque. This engine also found its way into the Caterhams as well and sounds magnificent with a set of sidedrafts. This one looks special, and the seller has plans to ship it to California to sell it on the mainland if someone doesn’t make the trip out to Bainbridge Island in the meantime. Thanks to Barn Finds reader Curvette for the find.
These could be imported to the US (as US-spec units) only if the engine was propane powered. A relative had a ’93 with the propane setup. It didn’t have a lot of power and propane is difficult to find in some areas, so he had a shop remove the drive train and replace it with a Honda S2000 engine and trans. That car could git, and they went on several road trips with it. Too bad he sold it. It looked like this car except it was all beige with dark brown interior.
The modifications to make Mogs “U.S. legal” were a little more extensive. I visited Bill Fink — the then-importer — back in the 1990s, and saw that he had equipped his cars’ bumpers with shock absorbers, added side marker lights, and I believe steel beams in the doors. Fortunately, those changes had no adverse effects. Neither, from what I could tell, did the propane conversion.
But now, it’s all good and this one’s exempt thanks to the 25-year rule.
So, elderly British folks pass away leaving behind their treasures too, huh,,,naturally, for me, the fly in the ointment is the RHD, and don’t say, “oh, it’s no biggie”, because to someone with millions of miles on t’other side, it ain’t gonna happen. I’d wake up screaming, if I slept, that is.
Not much more can be said about Morgan, I think the early ones were a bit rough, I see they incorporate an air filter on these, and just a generally refined car, a modern mix of old and new. So many cool cars, but for its purpose, a Morgan just stands above the rest. Just does.
I got my first right hand drive car, a 48 MG-TC at age 66. I don’t even think about as different anymore except sometimes when I’m daydreaming I’ll approach it on the wrong side.
What is the drivetrain situation? Did Morgan use off the shelf drivetrain, suspension, etc? The car is too gorgeous to sit in a garage and just hauled out for car shows. This deserves to be driven regularly. Not a daily driver, but to occasionally take some back roads up to cheeseland for a weekend.
Morgan used off-the-shelf powertrains, everything from smallish U.K. Ford through Standard-Triumph engines, and, for the Plus 8, Rover aluminum V8s.
Just about everything else except instruments was built (mostly by hand) at Malvern Link.
A note of clarification, Morgans like this have a conventional steel chassis with body-on-frame construction. The wood framing is just an armature that the metal body panels are mounted to.
I don’t know much about Morgans. Buy I will say they have a timeless beauty. Just beautiful lines. And this one is no exception. I’m sure it would take a bit for me to shift with my left hand though. This one looks like it was very well taken care of.
I thought the only propane powered ones were the Plus 8s