1993 MORGAN PLUS 8

Although Rover's attempts to acquire the Morgan Car Company in 1966 had proved fruitless, it nevertheless granted the sports car manufacturer access to its newly acquired ex-Buick lightweight aluminium V8 engine with a view to cementing a supply contract. Hired by the Malvern works to assess the powerplant's merits/suitability, race engineer, Maurice Owen, lost little time in shoehorning one into a Morgan Plus 4 chassis. With trials of the resultant prototype successfully undertaken in 1967, the Plus 8 debuted at the following year's Earls Court Motor Show.

Its lengthy production run has seen the Plus 8 alter little in outward appearance, save for ever-widening wheel arches accommodating fatter rubber, yet beneath the skin the changes have been innumerable. Better gearboxes, fuel-injection, rack-and-pinion steering, improved corrosion protection and paint, telescopic rear dampers, airbags and the obligatory catalytic converter have all become part of the Plus 8 picture over the years, along with, of course, bigger engines to offset the inevitable increase in weight and a growing desire for comfort from a growing population. However, no matter how powerful or sophisticated the Plus 8 became, it still remains a 'real Morgan' to this day in the eyes of any fan of quintessentially British classics. Indeed, it is almost guaranteed that a show of any merit will feature a Morgan amongst its prize winners in the 1960s and 1970s classes.

It was against this backdrop that our vendor, a fastidious and principled chap, decided that his retirement present to himself was to be a Morgan. He had wanted one for years and waited the obligatory period (several years at the time) to acquire his Plus 8 which eventually arrived in 1993. Anyone familiar with the paint shop at the Pickersleigh Road factory will appreciate that the available choice of colours ran to dozens and in this case Porsche Oak Green Metallic was chosen with Stone leather upholstery piped in green and a Stone hood and tonneau cover, also piped in green. Amongst our vendor's chosen options were aluminium body and wings, galvanised chassis, Walnut veneer dashboard, scuttle roll-bar, headrests, underseal and a luggage carrier.

There is perhaps nothing unusual in the above. What is unusual is that, remarkably, the car still displays a delivery mileage of just over 50 miles - almost all from road tests which it would have gone through after production. Having purchased the car in late 1993, our vendor requested that it remained with the dealership, unregistered, until 1st January 1998, when it was decided to move the car and at this point it was UK-registered, however, it has continued to be cosseted in professional storage ever since. We have to assume that our vendor never really intended to drive the car, deriving pleasure from the ownership of such an iconic design in much the same way that important works of art are kept in vaults by their owners, enjoying the knowledge that they are safe and they can go and see them whenever they feel inclined.

Consequently, the car has not been driven until recently when it was returned to the Morgan factory for a full, no-expense-spared, recommissioning at a cost of over £5,000 to ensure that it's perfectly ready for its second owner.

This is a rare, once in a lifetime, opportunity to acquire as perfect an example of a 1993 Morgan Plus 8 as one might ever find. Offered at a guide that does appear to be very inviting, our vendor hopes to raise significant funds to help save a local valley from development. The car is going to help preserve a small piece of Great Britain for future generations to enjoy and we hope that the new owner keeps this wonderful example of motoring heritage and all things Great and British.