Old World Craftsmanship: 1962 Morgan Plus 4

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The classic Morgan Plus 4 roadster captures the old world charm of vintage sportscar ownership better than most contenders from the same period, and as such, they are loved the world over. Today, the Morgan brand has evolved to preserve the original design with plenty of modern improvements, and the Morgan Plus 6 is easily one of the more underappreciated sports cars on the market today. Whether you buy old or new, you’re gaining access to a brand that has been building sporting vehicles for a very long time, along with a brotherhood that has never made creature comforts a priority. Find this rough 1962 Morgan Plus 4 here on craigslist with an asking price of $4,250.

One of the details I love about neglected barn finds like these is that the clues to its past still remain. Now, there’s no way of knowing whether these stickers indicate places the Morgan actually lived, or just regions the previous owners held an affinity for. The backend looks slightly…tweaked? It’s hard to say what’s going on here. Is it a trick of the eyes? Or has the back section moved down and to the right a bit? The spare tire mount and tire are obviously missing, and despite the listing mentioning some loose parts being included, this iconic feature of the Morgan design isn’t mentioned.

It’s amazing when you see the exposed inner workings of a Morgan – the ash framing is still somewhat surprising to see, even after all these years of knowing how a Morgan was put together. And when you consider whatever sort of hell this Morgan has been through that the wooden beams put there by some craftsmen decades ago are still there, doing what they’re supposed to – it’s incredible. Of course, the Morgans still had a conventional steel chassis, and you can see that here given the entire interior is missing. The lower seat frames and the gauges are still there, but that’s about it.

The engine is a Triumph unit and is currently seized. The seller notes that he’s put lubricant in the cylinders to see if it frees up, but obviously, there are no guarantees it will.  The seller believes the engine and four-speed manual transmission are original to the car, and it comes with discs in the front and drums in the rear. The soft top frame is still present as well. It’s a big project, but you rarely go wrong with a car like this that has such a dedicated following. The asking price seems reasonable, but if you’re a Morgan expert, does this seem like too much of an undertaking – or is this Morgan a great starting point for a project? Thanks to Barn Finds reader Gunter K. for the find.

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Comments

  1. BlondeUXBMember

    Isn’t that a “drop-head coupe” (?)

    Like 3
    • SMS

      Agree it is a drophead coupe. One of the few cars I find looks better with the top up. The top doesn’t flow with the lines of the car and to me looks like it opposes being closed up. A real classic.

      Like 6
  2. DRV

    They are pretty when done and a drophead is always my favorite over a roadster for a driver.
    If you consider Ash fenceposts are good for 30 years ( I’m yards away from 100 of them that are 40 years old) , Ash protected by a body should be good for twice that!?

    Like 3
  3. V12MECH

    Parts car, you can put your ash in a driver for $25-30K.

    Like 5
  4. Johnny

    $4,250 for a car you can,nt even push and steer it on a trailer.? When you can buy a nice sports car for less and drive it away. I like it,but not about to pay that price for name only. This is a parts car and way over priced. for something that doesn,t run. This should be in the PROJECT SECTION.

    Like 0
  5. DeeBee

    Call me crazy, but at that price of admission, I’d get it, and start the arrangements to send it to the people who know! Take it to Morgan, have them restore it, and, drive the wheels off it! Cost wouldn’t matter, since I have no money anyway, and, I’d never plan on getting rid of it!

    Like 0
  6. Michael Carmichael

    The drophead represents a rare variant of the Plus Four range. This one is well worth restoration and certainly should not be cannibalised.

    Like 2
    • Martin Horrocks

      Agreed. Althought the drophead is not to everyone´s taste, it is very rare. As this is a Plus 4, what is there is well worth the asking price.

      Not for me, but great for someone.

      Like 1
  7. SMS

    The words parts car with Morgan break my heart. Have replaced the wood framing in an MGTD and a Morgan deserves as much.

    The company sells every part for their cars. The motor and transmission are an ebay search away.

    Seems like a reasonable entry point for someone who wants a project.

    Like 2
  8. t-bone BOB

    Located in El Cajon, CA

    Like 0
  9. Bill

    That engine has wet liners. You can buy the whole set of pistons and liners.

    Like 0
  10. trav66

    Maybe Ducky from NCIS could save this poor thing!

    Like 0
  11. Ward William

    That wood looks rotten in many places which equals a very deep money pit. Not saying it is not worth it but bring your bank manager and be prepared to offer up your first born into slavery to finance the rebuild.

    Like 0
  12. Steve RossMember

    Did a 1960 +4 up 30 years ago. Was an insurance write off and paid $300 for it. Sent off to Morgan UK for parts, wood mostly. Some wooden parts I made myself using the old parts for a template and steamed the planks to make the wheel arches on the back end. Friend of mine was a panel beater so that made things a little easier. took a couple of months to get on the road with a roadworthy and drove it for 10 years. Unfortunately had to sell it as family expanded but the $15000 helped buy a house. If I was in the U.S. I would buy it (I’m in Australia) but even so the cost of freighting it here would probably make it worthwhile. Definitely not a parts car.

    Like 0

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