Unencumbered by Technology: 1958 Morgan+4
Some folks just don’t like change. As we float along, lost in a sea of cars that now all look alike, our intrepid auto finder and all-time great reader T.J. has found for us a vehicle that spent many years bucking technology and hideous styling trends. If you like full fenders and wood in your car’s body, then have a look at this 1958 Morgan+4 for sale on Craigslist in Grant, Florida. Grant is the home of the world’s best seafood festival, and is on Highway A1-A, which can lay claim to being one of the most beautiful roads in America. If you have the $34,900 asking price, you can head out north or south on that great coastal road in this very original Morgan that runs and drives just fine. Are you ready to take a road trip in a British classic? Is this rolling tribute to thirties British car construction worth the price of admission?
When cars first appeared on the scene over 130 years ago, they were much closer to a wooden wagon than they were to today’s cars. As production rose, the standard configuration consisted of a steel ladder frame and a body that was a wooden framework with metal panels applied over the wood. By World War II, most bodies were made entirely of steel and contained precious little wood. The wood that was there was still used in seat frames and in trim. After the war, everyone moved on in the areas of styling and construction except for a few holdouts. None held out longer than the Morgan Motor Company. They continued to build cars in the same manner after the war as they had previous to it. Ladder frame, steel over wood body, full fenders, and a convertible top. Oh, and they were famous for making three-wheeled cars as well.
Morgan’s first four-wheel car, the 4/4 was introduced in 1936. One raced at Le Mans in 1938, and production ran until 1950. Morgan, never a company slavishly adhering to technology and progress, brought out a larger car called the Morgan+4 that year. With an inline four-cylinder engine and the usual wooden framed body on a ladder frame construction, the new car would be produced for an amazing 19 years. Then, in Lazarus fashion, Morgan resumed production from 1985 to 2000.
Believe it or not, the car went in and out of production another two times after that. Maybe more. It is hard to keep track of, but easy to understand. These vehicles were simple to produce, and thirties technology isn’t very hard to manufacture in the modern world. Replica car companies have managed to do so profitably, why couldn’t an original manufacturer do the same? The great part about these Morgans is that they are very much a product of the past. In a hectic world filled with soul-sucking technology at every turn, it may be nice to hear a body creak once in a while. Or see the reflection of the trees in the glossy full fenders and traditional hood.
The Morgan you see here is a 1958 model. Unfortunately, the seller doesn’t divulge much in the way of information in the ad. All we are told is that it is an original car that runs and drives. It is also rust-free. For an original car, it does look to be well cared for. The paint still holds a shine, the brightwork is all finely polished, and the top has that newly replaced look. In all, it is a nice car that just needs a new caretaker. The price might be a little hard to get in a limited Morgan market. However, sometimes going back in time is worth the cost of admission.
Would you like to be the new caretaker of this vintage Morgan? Would you drive it home via A1-A? Please share your thoughts and daydreams in the comments.
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Comments
Looks like fun — but not too practical for me. I have seen these now and then — mostly during the 1950s. I am too arthritic now to appreciate climbing into it. But I esteem building a 1930s car in the 1950s. MG made one, too, in the early ’50s: I mourned it after the MGA appeared.
I know, I get all bent out of shape when I see motors with no air cleaners, but I can kind of let that go here, they never had air filters. How can that be? Did they want the motors to wear out prematurely? Soggy Britain has no dust? They claim there isn’t room for them, but time has shown, some goofy looking air cleaner setups, so I don’t buy that.
Morgans were way too far out there. I think the wood body scared some( rust free? how about termite free?) and quite frankly, I never did see what all the fuss was about. I thought the AH 100-6 was a much neater car for about the same price, around $2600 new, but much cheaper than the Jag. These still had old time styling, and Morgan seemed proud of that fact, compared to much swoopier cars available then. A Corvette with a V8 was only $800 more. Regardless, it’s a beautiful example.
The lack of air cleaners always made me crazy too. There just wasn’t clearance for a typical air cleaner with the center hinged bonnet.
Most owners I know fabricated flat ones from copper mesh sandwiching 1/8 inch filter foam.
It’s a 1991 cc TR wet sleeve engine so rebuilding again and again is pretty easy stuff.
To the untrained eye, most people will look at a Morgan and say “Nice MG!” I love the simple lines and the plain hubcaps. It’s a throwback in time being totally hand built with a wooden frame. I drove one once and it was fun even without synchros on the trans. The $$ it takes to buy this one will be pocket cash for the new owner. It’s a very historical vehicle regardless of what you compare it to, pricewise in its day!!
looked like the allard on 1st glance. We gota local restores them from all over the world here (Hadley, MA). 6 or 8 in the garage right now…
BTW: inside the bytes’n bits of my iPhone is a pic of “-0- mi” & the signage for
that beginning, 545 mi S. of St Marys R, same as ever, since 1926. Included is my face out the driver’s window ofa 1969/70/77 Bronco…
My 1960 +4 has 140,000 miles on the original engine all without air cleaners. If I lived on a dusty road, it might be different. Parts are easy to source and not unreasonable….some from the factory where they’re still made.
Also, I remember seeing a video of the Morgan shop as they were fabricating the bonnet (hood, for us Yankees). Totally pounded metal and shaping was fun to watch plus the installing of the louvers was amazing. All hand done!!
Ah Yes a wonderful car that allows the driver to navigate the hedgerows throughout the UK. With correct tires this rolling piece of history screams “Nevil Chamberlain” and does not compromise British engineering’s ability to stick with systems that hadn’t changed in decades. The advent of the Plus 8 in the 1970’s led to what we Americans call a “Screamer”, that would pin your ears back with acceleration comparative to a Corvette and cornering around .92 g’s that was close to the Lotus Europa. Drivers beware though the Morgan’s suspension/ride was similar to a go-cart. Many owners commented that if you drove over a cigarette you could tell if it was a filter or non-filter brand.
To Bob “THE ICEMAN”: LOVE your comment!
I always thought it was “If you drive over a dime, you can tell if it’s heads or tails”.
Had a Drop Head Coupe, picked it up at the factory and Peter Morgan asked to see me. He wanted to thank me for buying one of his cars. By the way, he drove a Ferrari!
Just what is the point of having a top when there are no side windows?
I rode with a friend in his flat radiator +4 (a ’49 if I recall) and when we turned into a parking lot with a steep curb cut the body flexed hard enough that my door popped open. With a newer hopped up engine and disc brakes, it was way faster than it had any right being. It had air cleaners too!
I want it! Sadly, no room in the car garden. If I could just get rid of six or so then the wife might actually be in board!