MORGAN HISTORY AND MODEL RANGE


THE FOLLOWING IS A BRIEF HISTORY OF THE MORGAN MOTOR COMPANY AND THE MODEL RANGE OVER THE YEARS


The Morgan Motor Co. was established in 1910 in Malvern Link, England, by H.F.S. Morgan when he began building 3 wheeled cycle cars, incorporating independant front suspension in the form of sliding stub axles on a fixed pillar, the design of which has continued on with only minor changes to the present day. These vehicles were built over the years in a wide range of models, the best known being the Aero and Super Sports, using a variety of V-Twin engines (JAP, Anzani, Matchless, etc) as well as four cyl. Ford engines. The last 3 wheeler was built in February 1952.
The first 4 wheel Morgan cars were introduced in 1936 with Conventry Climax engines and were known as the 4-4. Most cars are 2 seater roadsters, though 4 seater and DHC bodies were also available.
In 1950 production of the +4 started, the Plus standing for the extra go from the new Standard Vanguard engine now being used. From 1954 the +4’s were fitted with the Triumph TR engines and run through to 1969. 1955 saw the re-introduction of the 4/4, but now powered by Ford motors, which have continued up to the present day.
1968 saw the creation of the +8, achieved by fitting a Rover 3.5L V8 engine into a slightly larger +4 chassis. The +8 is still produced today though the engine size has grown to 4.6L.
1985 saw production of the +4 start again, first with Fiat and then Rover 4 cylinder motors. However, the +4 model will cease production this year (2000) to allow the introduction of a new Morgan flagship model that is based on the factory developed GT2 racecar. Details are still under wraps though it is known that it will be powered by a large capacity V8 and weigh in around 1000kg, thus retaining true sports car performance.
Following the death of H.F.S in 1959, the Company was run by his son Peter Morgan, These days the Company is run by his grandson Charles Morgan, though Peter still retains an interest in things. Thus remaining the oldest family owned motor company still in existence. Approximately 500 cars are produced annually with with export markets in Germany, Sweden, France, America, Japan, New Zealand and Australia.


MORGAN MODEL RANGE


THREE WHEELERS
MODEL TYPE
Single seat Runabout 1910-1911
Standard 1911-1931
Sporting 1911-1921
De Luxe 1911-1931
Grand Prix 1913-1926
Family 1919-1936
Aero 1919-1932
Super Sports Aero 1927-1934
Super Sports 1934-1947
Sports Family 1932-1936
Sports two seater 1932-1937
F4 1933-1952
F2 1935-1939
F Super Sports 1937-1939
F Super 1946-1952

ENGINES AVAILABLE
J.A.P. V-Twin 1910-1934
M.A.G. V-Twin 1915-1924
Blackburne V-Twin 1922-1927
Anzani V-Twin 1922-1929
Matchless V-Twin 1933-1946
Ford Eight Four Cylinder 1933-1939
Ford Ten Four Cylinder 1935-1952

Early 3 wheelers were fitted with 2 speed gearboxes with a separate chain for each ratio. From 1930 a 3 speed gearbox was fitted with a single drive chain.



FOUR WHEELERS
MODEL & ENGINE
4/4
S I Coventry Climax 1122cc 1936-1939
S I Standard Special 1267cc 1939-1951
S II Ford 100E 1172cc 1955-1960
S III Ford 105E 997cc 1960-1961
S IV Ford 109E 1340cc 1961-1963
S V Ford 116E 1498cc 1963-1968
1600 Ford Kent 1599cc 1968-1982
1600 Fiat Twin Cam 1584cc 1981-1985
1600 Ford CVH 1597cc 1982-1991
1600 Ford EFI 1597cc 1991-1993
1800 Ford Zeta 1796cc 1992-

Series I 4/4’s used Meadows and Moss gearboxes. Series II onwards used Ford gearboxes

+4
Standard Vanguard 2088cc 1950-1958
TR2 1991cc 1953-1957
TR3 1991cc 1955-1964
TR4 2138cc 1961-1969
Fiat 1995cc 1985-1987
Rover M16 1994cc 1988-1992
Rover T16 1994cc 1992-2000

All +4’s to 1969 used Moss gearboxes Fiat powered +4’s used a Fiat 5 speed box and the Rover powered cars used the same 5 speed Rover box as the +8.

+8
Rover V8 3528cc 1968-1990
Rover V8 3946cc 1990-
Rover V8 4555cc 1997-


Early +8’s used the 4 speed Moss box until April 1972, when the 4 speed Rover gearbox was introduced. In 1976 the Rover 5 speed box became available and is used up to the present day.


4/4’s and +4’s were available as 2 and 4 seater roadsters, 2 seater DHC and for the +4 only, a 4 seater DHC was offered. The +8 is only available as a 2 seater Roadster