The Supercar Fest Sale 18th May 2024

The Supercar Fest Sale 2024 Cars 116 Registration: OBM 100 Chassis No.: 3227 Estimate: £28,000 - £34,000 Specialist: Joe Watts Telephone No: 07779 082707 Lot 280 1955 Morgan Plus 4 - Chris Lawrence Engine The Morgan Plus 4 was the company’s most popular model since its launch in 1950. A versatile and well-balanced sports car, the Plus 4 became a Morgan institution, before being superseded by the all-new Plus Four in 2020. The delightful Moggie presented here left the factory in early 1955 as an ivory and black-painted standard TR2-engined Plus 4 two-seater. By 1969, it had passed through at least five owners and had changed colour twice before ending up in Jersey looking a little shabby. It was there that the parents of our vendor’s late husband spotted the car, photographed it and showed it to their son, who bought it unseen for £100 and arranged to have it shipped to England. On its arrival, after a careful assessment of what might be involved, it was carefully dismantled, the chassis repaired and the Ash frame was painstakingly taken apart and recreated in Oak, all of which took about four years. The front drum brakes were replaced with discs and all the necessary parts were purchased from the Morgan factory for just over £200. In 1977, more power was required, so the engine was shipped to Chris Lawrence in London with the instructions to produce the best engine he could. This resulted in what was effectively a full ‘Super Sports’-spec engine with a machined block, matching and balancing the rods and pistons, a gas-flowed head and a racier camshaft. Parts supplied included a four-branch exhaust manifold, a Dell’Orto carburettor kit and inlet manifold and Koni telescopic shock absorbers. Due to Chris Lawrence’s imminent move to the US at this time, it’s very likely that the engine in this car is the very last Lawrence Tune Super Sports TR engine ever built. It was at this juncture that Colin Musgrove Racing (one of the main Morgan restoration and race shops) were asked to help ‘refine’ the car. However, upon close inspection, the repaired chassis was deemed unusable, and a new factory- built chassis was recommended. Unfortunately, the lovingly crafted oak frame was also deemed not fit for purpose (Oak is not flexible enough and could split too easily) so a new Ash frame would be needed. The car arrived at Musgrove’s in 1981 and was soon built-up into a rolling chassis. At this stage, the car morphed into a four-seater, with V8 Morgan alloy wings and wire wheels. The work was completed in 1989 with further ‘tweaks’ to come, a change to a softer ‘Stage 2’ rally-spec cam and some added cooling. By 2002, the car was entrusted to Chas Windridge of Mog Sports who got to grips with some of the remaining ‘niggles’. A heater was installed, sidescreens and door mirrors fitted plus upgraded headlights and the airflow through the radiator was made more effective. Looking very stylish in Burgundy, it was exhibited at the NEC in 2012 and is regularly enjoyed as part of the local Morgan group at drive-outs and events. This is a unique and special Morgan, which is bound to bring much enjoyment to its next custodian who will appreciate the comprehensive history file that accompanies the car, full of invoices, photos and paperwork, all confirming the time, money and care lavished on this lovely example of Malvern’s finest. A very special Morgan, from 55 years of ownership, with a vast history file and featuring a race-spec Lawrence Tune Super Sports engine. More Details Lot 280 Bid On Lot 280