Morgan Plus 8 racecar: You Know You Want To

If there's a cooler track car around for £40K, we're yet to see it

It's difficult to think of Morgans being particularly racy cars where models like the 4/4, recently inducted into the PH Heroes hall of fame, are concerned. They're genteel roadsters for pottering to the pub and embracing a more relaxed pace of life. However there is, of course, another side of Morgan, with a factory motorsport effort, privately converted racers, and production cars like the Plus 8 Speedster.

And when you think about it, there's a lot going for a Morgan as a circuit project. With the V8 cars you have big power, very little weight and rear-wheel drive - already a good start and, to be frank, the British have always done quite well with eight-cylinder sports cars. Alright, we've made quite a lot, that's probably a more accurate statement.

Then there's this, a Plus 8 modified to be a track and race car. How much fun does it look?! There's surely more than enough of power, noise and performance, on top of the fantastically cool retro aesthetic, to keep a lot of drivers entertained. In fact, we were so taken by the big haunches - well, it's one of the later, wider cars - that it just had to feature.

The ad is a little short of detail, though it's clearly pitched as a racer - look at the windscreen! Look at the stickers too; hopefully, they tell a story of a long and illustrious career. Could it be made to road spec perhaps? There's no mention of an MoT though there are lights, indicators, seats... Can't need much more, can it? Obviously, we're speculating here, though only because the one place this could look better - and draw more attention - than in a paddock is out on the public road.

That's what's key to the appeal, isn't it? The raffish attitude; this is not a track car for finely adjusting the downforce, nailing braking points and ensuring your shift point is spot on. It's for going really bloomin fast thanks to a huge great engine, and most likely having an absolute ball - by dictating everything that the car does - in the process.

What else could you buy? There's the usual range of British suspects for £40,000, though you could be struggling to fully replicate this. A Caterham will of course only have four cylinders, a Radical is a far more serious track proposition and a Zenos is never going to be as cool as this. Meaning you're probably left with a V8 Westfield or something like this TVR Tuscan.

No doubt they will be fun. This potentially looks even more entertaining though, especially with the rarity factor thrown in. Imagine passing someone in their caged M3 with your 40-year-old Morgan - splendid! It looks ready to rumble right now in fact. What's stopping you? Track day season is in full flow!

MORGAN PLUS8 RACECAR
Price: £40,000
Why you should: You need this answering?
Why you shouldn't: Not exactly short of fast, loud, Brit track cars are we now?

See the original ad here