Vehicle Description
Morgan Motor Co Ltd, of Malvern Link, Worcestershire, began its
fascinating journey in 1910 when Henry Frederick Stanley Morgan
built his first three-wheeled runabout, powered by a two-cylinder
Peugeot engine. He entered production with a series of 3-wheeled
cyclecars that proved their worth in competition around England and
Europe, establishing Morgan as a respected niche manufacturer. By
the 1930s, cyclecar popularity was waning, and Morgan took a
significant leap into the world of 4-wheels, going head-to-head
with MG with a line of snappy, lightweight sports cars. That move
proved to be one of the few major changes in the company's enduring
history, as Morgan has clung to tradition like few other carmakers
ever have. From the 1930s through the introduction of a new
platform in 2019, the evolution of Morgan's Plus 4 happened at a
geologic pace. Morgan remained steadfastly committed to their
traditional layout of a steel ladder chassis, sliding-pillar
independent front suspension, and ash-framed coachwork with a
classic 1930s sports car aesthetic. Engine and drivetrain options
varied with the period, with most cars from the 30s through the 60s
utilizing pushrod' fours from Standard, Standard Vanguard, and
later from Triumph. A few featured Coventry Climax fours, with
Morgan turning to Ford, Fiat, and Rover later. Only recently has
Morgan switched to a sophisticated wishbone suspension on a bonded
alloy chassis - yet the old-world ash-framed body and iconic
silhouette endure. This 1953 Plus 4 is an intriguing example of the
archetypal Morgan sports car. It is one of a limited run of
Drophead Coupes produced, known cheekily among marque enthusiasts
as the 'Snob Mog' for its luxurious trim and softer character. This
car was built at the cusp of Morgan's only significant styling
change, and was born in the earlier 'Flat-Rad' style but, according
to works production records, returned to the factory in 1954 and
updated with the new-style rounded radiator grille and integrated
headlamps. It also features the preferred OHV Triumph engine,
shared with the TR2. It was then sold to the US dealer Fergus
Motors, an influential early sports car importer in New York City
and one of the first Morgan agencies in the USA. The Morgan has
undergone a ground-up restoration in more recent years and is in
excellent condition, finished in a handsome two-tone blue livery.
It is well-presented throughout, and the paint scheme lends a
distinctly elegant flair to the classic Morgan lines. The Drophead
Coupe's higher doors and belt-line give it a more grown-up, upscale
feel, as do the body color disc wheels, whitewall tires, and twin
rear-mount spares. Overall, the restoration quality is excellent,
and the car is well-suited to casual club events and
wind-in-the-hair motoring enjoyment. On the subject of touring, the
Plus Four DHC offers a well-appointed and comfortable cockpit,
trimmed in complementary light blue leather with dark blue piping
and carpets. The leather is taut and in excellent condition, and
there's some light patina to the instruments, switchgear, and banjo
steering wheel. Wood trim adorns the dash and door tops, and the
traditional Morgan cream-faced instruments sit in a central
binnacle, familiar to any marque enthusiast. Beneath the Morgan's
traditional long bonnet sits the preferred 1,991cc OHV inline-four
shared with the Triumph TR2. Breathing through twin S.U.
carburetors, it produces about 90 horsepower, more than enough to
give the lightweight Morgan the snappy performance expected of a
classic British roadster. The engine bay is tidy and well-detailed
with appropriate fittings, including a chrome valve cover. With
change being a relative rarity at Morgan Motors, variants of the
Plus Four are few and far between. The Drophead Coupe is an
intriguing offshoot of the traditional sporty Morgan, offering a
welcome dose of luxury without sacrificing the character and
old-world charm that has made this British marque an enduring,
refreshingly independent anomaly in the automotive landscape.
Offers welcome and trades considered For additional details please
view this listing directly on our website
https://hymanltd.com/vehicles/7058-1953-morgan-plus-4-drophead-coupe/
