A few things stand out about this delightful barn find Morgan Plus 4: one, it is highly original, with an absolutely perfect patina that supposedly features original paint; two, this appears to be an AI-generated image, which is truly unfortunate because this roadster would stand on its own quite well owing to its wonderful history (no need for embellishment); and three, the asking price is downright reasonable for a car with sturdy mechanicals that still turns over at the moment. Find it here on eBay for $9,950 or best offer.
Now, I could be well off my rocker that this isn’t an AI-generated photo but I sure think it is. All of the details are slightly too perfect, and another shot with motorcycles in the background in the listing actually looks authentic. Who knows; shame on me if I’m wrong and kudos to the seller for owning one of the most photogenic storage facilities I’ve ever seen. The Morgan sports some wonderful details, including crazed/cracking original paint, California blue plates, period-correct parking stickers from the University of California San Francisco, and perhaps even an authentic British number plate.
The seller does confirm this belonged to a professor from the UCLA system, and that only adds to the general vibe this Morgan carries. If you were an aspiring professor in the 1970s in California, I can’t imagine a much better car to fully commit to the persona of being an eccentric, yet sophisticated, professor. The original dash and seats have held up incredibly well for being parked for 30 years, so wherever this Morgan was stashed away had to have been a favorable environment. Northern California is a wonderful place to find an untouched vintage car, and we wonder if it was found in that neck of the woods.
The Triumph TR3-sourced 4-cylinder engine is said to still turn over, though it (unsurprisingly) doesn’t run. The original engine was good for 100 horsepower and 117 lb.-ft. of torque, which was enough to make hustling this British roadster downright fun. The mechanicals may not be exotic but they are fairly resilient, so I’m sure this Morgan will run again without too much fiddling; fortunately, replacement engines aren’t all that expensive. The asking price seems more than fair for an honest Morgan with a great story; do you think the garage photos are AI-generated or authentic?
Morgans are great cars and I wouldn’t kick this of my driveway by any stretch of the imagination but I’ve always been partial to the 3-wheelers with the Matchless or J.A.P. engine in the front. Maybe I just need one of each…
Hemmings Motor News had a good article this month on buying a Morgan. Given the wood used, it’s a little different than buying other cars. Sure looks like s fun car, but i still would want a LH drive one if I got one.
I have a ’61 Plus Four DHC (Drop Head Coupe) that’s RHD. It’s a really fun car and the RHD isn’t that difficult to get used to. It certainly adds to the attention-getting factor whether it’s parked or moving! My only complaint is that it makes using drive-thru lanes really challenging…
As did LHD cars here in UK so I bought a long handled tool, that old farts like me use to pick up things that we have dropped on the floor, and I use it to pay at drive through take-outs but it doesn’t work too well for scanning debit cards at Toll plazas and parking garages! That really pees off the people behind me.
Whoa…that background had this GM fan clicking on the article. This *IS* an AI generated background, I believe the car and the concrete floor are legit. Look at the other auctions for more AI *and* realistic backgrounds. I definitely would use this background for any Zoom or Teams call…
Yeah, “AI vintage” has a look to it, and this is it. It can’t really get the weathering patina correct. It all has that same “wash” to it. Everything is pristine but old, or something like that. It’s easy to spot.
The car was probably sitting in a place that was less than presentable. But, then, what did AI do to the actual car image?
Also, how hard would it be to take this to a detail shop and have it cleaned up and buffed out inside and out? That would add so much appeal.
Patina is what lies under the grime, not the grime itself. And this car probably has nice patina.
Minor correction, Jeff. I think you meant to say, “the UC system”. UCLA (University of California, Los Angeles) is a member of the UC system, as is the University of California (UCSF) to which this fine Morgan my have some association.
Those are UCSF parking stickers. That’s a teaching hospital. Which means they could’ve been teaching at the medical school? Or a groovy alt nurse? The narrative possibilities are endless.
My friend has a very, very rare 1913 Morgan 3 wheeler with a Motosocoche V Twin engine up front, two speed “dog eared” gear system consisting of two sprockets driven by two chains, no reverse gear, very little suspension movement both front or rear, and although it’s considered to be very valuable amonst the Morgan afficianados I wouldn’t want it as a gift! I was his navigator on a three day, 150 mile, veteran car rally once, never got into it ever again!
The Ebay listing stater that this car is a two seater bu it’s a four seater. It always makes me suspicious when owners make mistakes in their listings like that.
The tonneau cover also appears much longer in some photos that others. Possibly because of AI?
Just looks like a four-seater to me.
That initial image with the Land Cruiser in the background is very likely AI. That is a Colombian-spec mid-wheelbase FJ43, and those are very rare in the US and were never available in that color from the factory. So possible, but highly implausible
I may bed tilting at windmills, but I have never cared for the look of the 4-seater. It feels ungainly, hanging out the back, out of proportion. I have 54 +4 and a 57 4/4, and would far rather have my lowly 4/4 with the 100e lump than this 4-seater.
That being said, I would rather have a DHC than any other Morgan, because I think it’s the most elegant, graceful and stylish of them all!
Turns out the Land Cruiser in the background is legit, car is owned by a guy that sells Land Cruisers around the world. I got the pictures minus the AI and car is what it appears to be. I am purchasing it, can’t wait to get it in my shop and get it running but preserve the exterior patina.