From 1950-69, British car builder Morgan Motor Co. produced a small sports car called the Morgan Plus 4. It initially used a 2088 cc Standard Vanguard engine featured hydraulic brake, a first for a Morgan product. Later that motor was replaced by A Triumph TR4 engine with a displacement of 2138 cc. The seller’s ’65 Morgan has been off the road for the last 50 years, put away and left after a minor fender bender. Time and Mother Nature have since taken their toll, so it will need a complete restoration. Located in Wilbraham, Massachusetts, the little car can be had for $9,900 here on eBay. That’s the Buy It Now price; offers will be accepted.
The Plus 4 was Morgan’s second attempt at a small sports car after World War II when they re-introduced their 4/4 that used a 1267 cc engine. Besides a substantially bigger engine, the new Plus 4 rode on a widened and strengthened 4/4 chassis with a wheelbase lengthened by some four inches. We understand that the engine compartment of the Plus 4 was so crowed that there was no room for an air cleaner!
As the story goes, the original owner of this Plus 4 bought it new in 1965 and got into a small accident toward the end of the decade when the car had just under 1,600 miles on it. Rather than fixing it and continuing on, the car was parked indoors afterwards and stayed there for more than five decades. It hadn’t seen daylight until the seller acquired it about five years ago. It does not appear that any work has been done on the Morgan in the meantime, and perhaps the only appreciable miss is the lack of a front bumper.
But there is a lot of surface rust on the poor old girl’s carcass and the convertible top material no longer exists. Oddly, the whole steering column and wheel are missing. Surely that could not have been damaged in a minor accident and there is no mention of their whereabouts. Quite a few of loose parts and components are pictured that will come with the deal. It seems as though the body was finished in grey and the interior red when things came together in 1965.
The seller refers to a Lotus motor being available for the car, which suggests that you may have better luck getting the car running again with an engine swap. However, the seller does not say whether its included in the price or if there would be an extra charge. NADA says that a top Morgan Plus 4 could be worth more than $60,000 and Hagerty’s number is even higher for a 2+2 hardtop. You could have a valuable car here once restored, but at what cost and how hard would the parts be to come by? And, by the way, the car has no title and will be sold only with a Bill of Sale.
If I remember right these still have wood chassis components. If it has been stored in the damp you are going to have serious problems.
The chassis is steel the framework supporting the body panels is wood.
1,600 miles? Who are they kidding?
That greasy diff says maybe 101,600 miles. That looks like a parts car. Distributor missing too.
That “fender bender” looks to be the front end hitting a large bumper causing the driver’s head to hit the windshield probably taking the steering wheel with him/her etc. Price a bit heavy for the condition but it could be restored with the right amount of time and money.
No good when new – no good now.
There is a lot to doubt about the story provided. All the fiddly bits are missing and such. A massive undertaking (I started with less on my Morgan and still not done). A decent start at about half the price but it’s still a $40k project to net a $40k vehicle.
What is with those pictures. There is so much distortion. I’m barely computer literate with a basic little camera and I can download decent photos. Whenever I see pictures like this that make it so hard to really see anything I have to wonder what the seller is hiding.
VIN # 5469? That can’t be right. I think this car has been mistreated and lied about a lot. A Morgan deserves better.
That VIN could be right. My 1962 4/4 VIN is B826.
There is a lot to doubt about the story provided. All the fiddly bits are missing and such. I suspect this was a donor for odds and ends that went to a different car and this is what’s left. A massive undertaking (I started with less on my Morgan and still not done). A decent start at about half the price but it’s still a $40k+ project to net a $40k vehicle. They are a blast to drive and the TR power is strong enough for freeways. A popular swap is a Toyota 5 speed transmission to give it even more legs. It can stop on a dime, and the suspension is such that you can tell if its head’s or tail’s.
The VIN is okay. My 1961 is ‘4975 and my ’68 was 6815. There was a general trend of letter prefix (A, B, P) for some models but the 1955-1968 Plus 4’s just had the 4 numbers.
Bubbling panel on top of the sill indicates rotten wooden framing underneath with the likelihood of all the wood framing needing replacement.
All parts, including the frame, can be sourced from the UK at a price that is not exorbitant but the would-be restorer will need to bring excellent woodworking skills to the task as well as mechanical aptitude. I hope someone with the money and time will save the old girl. A long time ago, I owned a ’67 for about a year and, as stated, they are a blast to drive.
I have restored these. I’m not saying anything.
Please tell us more!
For not the first time on this site, I think this is a stolen car, or at least was once, then used for some parts. Just too many question marks.
Triumph used the Zenith-Stromberg Carbs starting in 1968. This car has a lot more miles than shown on the OD. The valve cover is also from a TR2-TR3A, not a 65. The car has been really abused considering they were collectible from the getgo.