Modern Classic: 2012 Morgan Three-Wheeler
This little three-wheeler may not be something we’d normally feature but hear me out before clicking back. I don’t follow new-car news but Morgan just released something that really got me excited. A new and improved three-wheeler! That made this particular listing even more intriguing. You can’t get the new one just yet and the price tag is going to be significantly higher when you can. So if you want to experience three-wheel thrills now, this might be the one to get.
We normally wouldn’t talk about new vehicles here on Barn Finds but Morgan’s new creation captures the essence of a classic car and modernizes it in such a way that it deserves a mention. Since the Super Three is technically a motorcycle, the designers did not need to worry about all the crash test and emissions requirements that car manufacturers have to deal with. That means it’s actually lightweight and fun to drive. The best part is that they will be available here in the States!
Now, back to the three-wheeler on offer. Morgan actually bought this design from a guy in Seattle who was building his own Harley-powered three-wheelers. They made some tweaks and had great success with these simple little runabouts. Whereas the new one will be powered by a Ford three-cylinder, this one still uses a motorcycle engine. So if you want to retain some of that vintage charm (early Morgan threes used motorcycle engines too), this is the way to go.
I’d love to experience a new Morgan but this would scratch the itch until it’s available. The vinyl teeth and eyeballs may have been a factory option but I’d lose those and the rest of the custom graphics. That would make the British Racing Green over tan color scheme look a lot more serious. The asking price here on Hemmings may make your eyes water but where else are you going to get something like this? A special thank you goes to PRA4SNW for sending in the tip!
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Comments
It’s quite an experience to have a ride in one of the old three wheel Morgan’s.
One of these would be a welcome treat on my bucket list. I remember one day I was at the bike shop in Great Falls and we heard the rumble of a V-twin go by. We all looked because it wasn’t a typical sound and we were quite surprised to see a vintage Morgan speed past. Never saw it again and none of the locals were familiar with it. Just a flash in the pan. Between that and the movie, “The Party,” I always wanted one. Need some luck in the lottery or sell a few more books to afford it. Maybe I should stick to die-cast…
A friend of mine told me that he got a ride in the back of an older three-wheeler.Said it was one of the weirdest things he ever did.
When the car show they were at was over,he asked the owner if he needed help loading it up on the trailer.
The Morgan owner replied sternly – “Trailer,what trailer? – I drove it here”.
I’ve noticed that there sure are a lot of these for sale (top picture),usually with very low mileage. The new one just doesn’t look right without the engine visible.
There was a four-cylinder – way back when – that had an engine under a bonnet too. Wisnae as exciting as a JTOR/KTOR V-twin, though.
Sorry, but it looks like it needs “training wheels”.
I just want to put on a leather helmet, a flight jacket, a silk scarf and drive.
While driving a Polaris Turbo Slingshot is a ride you’ll never forget, the 3 wheel Morgan (especially with the J A P motor) is just a whole ‘nuther class above.
Kinda of like comparing a 850 Commando to a contemporary Bonneville-same idea but two entirely different personalities..
I like the idea of the S&S engine (think Quality Built HD motor back in the day, kept many on the road accordingly) but it’s akin to, well. the proverbial SBC in a ‘32 Ford Tudor IMO. Now, a modern rendition of a Vincent V-twin in the front? THAT would be classy!
This is one of those cars I’d love to take a ride (or drive) in sometime in my life. So unconventional, it would be a wind-in-the-hair thrill.
Whoa, mama, this almost makes up for many of the BP raising, anger de-managing, overpriced submissions featured,,,relax, just kidding, but I do like the diversity. I feel it’s a step towards “Barn Finds, Hemmings edition”, but it’s neat stuff.
Clearly one of the more unusual vehicles featured ,in the “never thought I’d see one here” category, Morgans are a gray area, not quite a car, not quite a bike, and to be honest, I’ve never actually seen one. They are quirky things, relatively stable, I don’t think I’d be comfortable at 100 mph in one, however. The S&S powered ones had incredible acceleration, like 0-60 in 4.5 seconds, but with all 3 wheelers, I worry about that single tire running in the grease strip, running over nails, driveshafts, blasting caps, all the stuff cars miss. This one British vehicle I have no hankerin’ to operate.
I had the pleasure of visiting the HD museum in MIlwaukee, thanks to geomechs, and we saw the HD Penster, HD’s half baked attempt at a 3 wheeler. It was never made for obvious reasons.
https://thekneeslider.com/harley-davidson-penster-tilting-reverse-trike/
I see these all the time on BaT. Most of them have a ridiculous low amount of miles on the clock. These things get a HUGE amount of attention. The owners have to have a press conference to answer questions at car shows, kids want to sit in them for pictures and a crowd gathers to see them drive off. With all that going for it, it seems to be a real head scratcher why owners don’t take them out more given the attention they generate and the cost to acquire one. One BaT auction seller stated that he waited for almost a year to get one from the factory only to sell it 8 years later with just 800 miles on the odo. W. T. F.
There was also an article in an older Road&Track,where
John Sheally and a friend of his drove one cross-country from
Virginia,to a Morgan meet in California.
I met him at the Jamestown ferry in Virginia a few years back.
Has anyone heard from him lately?
I’ve imported about a dozen Citroen-Lomax three wheelers over the years – same thrills, less horsepower but still highway capable (I drove one cross-country once) and much lower cost of entry.
THese has always intrigued me, and I have never seen one up close. Kudos to a manufacturer for putting something like this out, and for so long.
My current fun vehicle is a hotrodded CanAm Spyder, so this falls in line with having 3 wheeled fun.
Thanks for the cool tip!
I have been in one of the early ones era,1955, way back in England ,fun car,.The new one i think is worth every $$$
I almost owned one of these. The closest dealer (in Denver, I live in Texas) seemed totally uninterested in whether I bought one or not. Regardless, I put my name on the list (this was before they came out) wrote a $3000 check for deposit and went to the post office to mail it. When I got there I couldn’t drop it in the box. I thought, here I am about to spend 50K for a car I’ve never driven, never seen and am not even I sure I can get into or out of—my practical side wouldn’t let me do it. The check stayed in my glove box several months before I tore it up.
I’m w/Oldog & Nevada if goin the spendy rout mights well get it right down to some fine detail – ‘steam punk’.
Ol Harley F head, Flat head, or Knuckle head, some brn or blk heat tape on the pipes, etc, & the pic #1 above – no pic # 2 style.
Local had one w/a pan head he put ~ 5K mi a yr on. Hada trailer he loaded it on, took out to Bonneville. He said he went 120 MPH. Far from any record but one he could not enjoy round here.
I’m certain this is the same Morgan I looked at last year. Last August after the custom bike show in Wichita Ks. my boss, a fellow worker and myself were invited by the owner of Twisted Oz Museum in Augusta, Ks where this was on display, along with one of the most incredible antique motorcycle and car collections around. I could have spent a week inside this place, words can’t describe. Absolutely mind blowing. A must see for anyone who likes antique bikes of every make along with one of a kind ultra rare machines. Well worth the trip for an unforgettable experience. Super nice owner with a story for every machine. He personally entered in the bike show a one of a kind 1947 Indian Chief with an inline 6 cyl. Indian motor hand built by a local old timer bike builder and custom fabricator, beautiful machine. He rode it to Wichita from Augusta and back home to the museum. Way cool.
Still got my 3 wheeler with twim Matchless engine. Most people think the 2 M’s
stand for Morgan. The other favoured motors were the Twin JAP’s. Thank god the arm burners are now a lot lower.
Wooo hoo, I just got a Cycle car, home built in Ohio by Mike Ziadeh, patterned after a new Morgan 3 wheeler. Little bit squirrely, maybe needs an alignment LOL.
Hey Jesse, I know where you can find something like this. ;)
https://www.facebook.com/marketplace/item/643396874264017/