The 1964 Morgan Plus 4 Plus is a unique sports car that was produced by the British car manufacturer Morgan from 1963 to 1967. It was designed to be a more luxurious and comfortable version of the classic Morgan Plus 4, which had been in production since 1950.
The Plus 4 Plus was a departure from Morgan's traditional design, featuring a sleek fiberglass body and a more aerodynamic profile. The car's styling was a collaboration between Morgan's in-house designer Peter Morgan, and the Italian coachbuilder Carrozzeria Frua. The resulting design was a stunning blend of classic British sports car styling with Italian flair.
Together, Peter Morgan and Carrozzeria Frua set out to create a new car that would capture the essence of the Morgan brand while also incorporating new design elements. The result of their collaboration was the Morgan Plus 4 Plus, which was unveiled at the 1963 Earls Court Motor Show in London.
The Morgan Plus 4 Plus was a stunning car that combined classic design with modern features. The car featured a sleek, aerodynamic body that was unlike anything that Morgan had produced before. The car was also equipped with a number of advanced features, including a four-speed manual gearbox, disc brakes, and independent suspension.
Under the hood, the Plus 4 Plus was powered by a four-cylinder engine, which produced up to 112 horsepower. This may not sound like much by today's standards, but in the 1960s, it was more than enough to provide the car with impressive performance. The Plus 4 Plus could accelerate from 0 to 100 kmh in around 10 seconds and had a top speed of 185 kmh.
The car's interior was also a departure from the traditional Morgan design, featuring a more luxurious and comfortable cabin. The seats were trimmed in leather, and the dashboard was finished in wood, giving the car a classic British sports car feel. The Plus 4 Plus also featured roll-up windows, which were a first for a Morgan car.
Despite its impressive design and performance, the Plus 4 Plus was not a commercial success. The car was expensive to produce, and its high price tag put it out of reach for most buyers. In total, only 26 examples were produced, making it one of the rarest and most sought-after Morgans.
Today, the 1964 Morgan Plus 4 Plus is considered a classic and is highly prized by collectors. Its unique design and limited production run make it a rare and valuable addition to any collection. If you're lucky enough to come across one, you can expect to pay a premium price for this rare and exceptional sports car.
This example offers 105 hp, 2.138 ccm inline four-cylinder engine, four-speed manual synchromesh transmission, independent front coil-spring suspension, solid rear axle with semi-elliptic leaf springs, and hydraulic front disc and rear drum brakes.
The Plus 4 Plus (or +4+) was Morgan’s attempt at introducing a souped-up model that incorporated modern styling, closed coachwork, and fibreglass construction all at the same time. The Plus 4 Plus was introduced at the 1963 Earls Court Motor Show, and it was not greeted by the anticipated warm reception. Accordingly, production of the model ceased at just 26 examples over three years, which was just over half of the anticipated production run of 50 cars. Although the streamlined coupé body was a radical departure from the traditional models produced by the Morgan Motor Company, it boasted a weight of only 816 kilograms and a top speed around 185 km/h, as well as more interior space and legroom.
Inspired by Lotus and its fiberglass body, Peter Morgan began to investigate use of the material to clothe the traditional Morgan chassis. His father (HFS Morgan) was fearful of the havoc that might be caused to the body by the flexible chassis and shelved the idea. After his passing, however, in 1959, the idea was revived and a smooth aerodynamic body over the existing chassis and drivetrain was seen as the future of the marque. The bodies were built by the Edwards Brothers with limited resin (to reduce crazing) and the new shape featured a unique roof profile and roll-up windows. It was an attractive shape that was the equal of the Healeys, MGs and Triumphs that it had to compete against and was even as shapely as anything from Jaguar or Aston-Martin.
The Morgan Plus 4 Plus was priced at £1275, a considerable increase in price from the traditional Plus 4 that was sold for £816, it was nonetheless much cheaper than the Lotus Elite which cost more than £1600. The automotive press was impressed with the car’s performance (which was improved by the lower weight body – even in coupe form) and the quality finish of the modern body shell. The Motor predicted that the new car would “make many new friends for the marque Morgan” but the Morgan faithful were less than impressed. In fact, the Morgan aficionados were up in arms over the appearance of the startlingly modern Plus 4 Plus and even more incensed that the FHC prevented any wind (or bugs for that matter) from reaching the hair of a true driving enthusiast and Morgan man.
That the car was a sales failure is an understatement, with only 26 vehicles produced, but it was a success nonetheless in that it forced the issue for many potential buyer’s who were afraid that the classic Morgan was soon to be retired. Soon, a waiting list for the Plus Four was formed to accommodate the surplus of orders that were coming in on a regular basis. Orders from the rest of Europe were particularly strong, with orders from France, Holland, Germany and Sweden exceeding availability and contributing greatly to the strong demand for the cars that continues to exist today.
For many years, the Plus 4 Plus languished as the unwanted Morgan and even in the last decade or so they were an affordable rarity that offered sparkling performance and great looks in an easy to service and maintain package. Those days, like for so many other cars, have passed and the previously unwanted car is now in strong demand.
Production date | 06.05.1964 |
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Body Type | Coupe |
Engine | 2.138 ccm, 106 PS, I4 |
transmission | Manual |
Steering | Left Hand Drive |
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Layout | Rear Wheel Drive |
Color - exterior | Mica White |
Color - interior | Black |
Miles/Kilometers shown | 45.116 mls |
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Chassis / VIN | A5657 |
Location - Country | Czechia |
Location - City | Kolin |
2-door coupe body type; RWD (rear- wheel drive), manual 4-speed gearbox; gasoline (petrol) engine with displacement: 2138 cm3, advertised power: 78.3 kW / 105 hp / 106 PS, torque: 174 Nm; characteristic dimensions: outside length: 3658 mm, width: 1422 mm, wheelbase: 2438 mm; reference weights: estimated curb weight: 816 kg; top speed: 185 km/h
Písek, CZ
Písek, CZ
Písek, CZ
Písek, CZ
Písek, CZ
Písek, CZ