Morgan Cars finishes first four of 20-run anniversary car
Malvern-based carmaker Morgan has completed the first four of its 70th Anniversary Edition, which when complete will be a run of just 20 cars.
The completion and distribution of the first cars came just before the Morgan Motor Company closed its factory for one month as part of efforts to combat the spread of the coronavirus. For the first time since World War II, the Morgan factory closed for an extended period, on 25 March 2020.
Even before production had begun, each anniversary edition car had been earmarked by a customer keen to be a custodian of this important piece of Morgan history.
The cars are now waiting to be shipped to customers in the UK and overseas.
The platinum metallic paint, chosen especially by Morgan’s designers to highlight the iconic silhouette of the car. The bodywork is complemented by satin dark grey wire wheels with brass ‘knock on’ wheel nuts, a motorsport-inspired front valance and an exterior black pack including a black stone guard, A-pillars and sidescreens.
The cars also have a the gold chassis. It’s the first time Morgan has painted a chassis in this colour, but it marks the end of production for the company’s steel chassis, which has been in production since the launch of the Morgan 4-4 in 1936.
Inside, the 70th Anniversary Edition features a brown leather interior with specially embroidered headrests, a Ravenwood veneer dashboard, dark grey box weave carpets and a satin black Mota-Lita steering wheel. The car's performance has been enhanced with an Aero Racing engine map, raising power from 154bhp (115kW) to 180bhp (134kW), and an Aero Racing sports exhaust.
Steve Morris, Morgan Chairman and CEO, said: “It has been fantastic to witness the first Plus 4 70th Anniversary models complete production. They represent the last steel chassis models, and we are delighted to be able to celebrate such a significant milestone in this way. It’s a poignant moment as the first CX-Generation Plus Four models are built alongside the final steel chassis Plus 4 models. We feel that both models represent the true qualities of a Morgan sports car.”
Jonathan Wells, Morgan Head of Design, said: “As the design team creating the Plus 4 70th Anniversary Edition, our aim was to create a classic look, yet one that exudes the significance of what it represents. A mix of premium tones, high-quality materials, and exquisite details reflect the essence of the venerable Morgan Plus 4, and provide a fitting tribute to the steel chassis that has formed its backbone since it was launched in 1950.”
