IDRIVEACLASSIC reviews: 1950s Morgan +4 (Plus Four)
Автокөліктер мен көлік құралдары
Today's video is the FIRST Morgan to ever hit IDRIVEACLASSIC and features the iconic +4 with the interim cowl front
IDRIVEACLASSIC as always is sponsored by Adrian Flux. Give their website a visit and get your quote today!
Today's text for those, like me, who are a little hard on hearing:
It’s not every week we get a car like the Morgan Plus Four on IDRIVEACLASSIC and this car is a true icon.
Albeit a lot more refined and technologically advanced in 2020, the Morgan Plus Four is a car which came to market seven decades ago and is still sold today.
But lets go back to where it all started!
The Morgan +4 came to market in 1950 and was the natural progression for the Morgan 4/4 which had been produced by the Morgan Motor Company since 1936, although continued in production until 2019.
To understand the plus four naming convention, it’s imperative to understand that the earlier 4/4 was named as such because it was the first Morgan car to have four wheels, with three wheelers leading the way previously, and the second four represented the 4 cylinder engine.
In 2020 it can be hard to imagine the appeal of the earlier 3 wheel cars, but as mentioned in previous IDRIVEACLASSIC videos, British tax on cars meant that three wheeled vehicles fell into ‘cycle car’ classification and therefore were miles cheaper than four wheeled counterparts.
However after this loophole was abolished, car makers had to act fast and respond to public taste and start to produce four wheelers and with this, Morgan created the 4/4 which then lead to the +4 coming to market in 1950, being first presented at Earl’s Court Motor Show.
The +4 was named as such because the plus was said to signify the boost in power and number of new improvements. The 4/4 had been solder with the 1,267cc engine and the new +4 was sold at launch with the 2,088cc 68hp Standard Vanguard engine.
Other noted changes and upgrades included the longer bonnet, the taller radiator and crucially on the comfort front, a wider seat which offered more legroom.
It is worth noting that on this generation of the +4 the engine was changed through years and included change to the TR2 1,991 cc engine in 1953 which offered much better performance then to the TR3 engine in 1956 and then the TR4A engine until 1969 when the production was halted.
In late 1953, the model sometimes known as the interim cowl model arrived, which is the car you’re seeing today on test and was swiftly replaced in 1954 with the more recognised ‘face’. Many buyers of the 53 cars actually went back to Morgan for a facelift, so very few examples of the interim cowl exist today. So we’re very lucky to have pinched this one for test!
Several models were available and you could’ve chosen a 2 seat, 4 seat or if you had more money to spend, there was also a 2 or 4 seat drop-head coupe with a 4 seat coupe made from 1954 - 1956.
However many people see the Plus Four as so much more than a touring car capable of long distances and cross country potential and instead, see the racing potential and notable credentials.
The first wins were celebrated in 1951 and 1952 with the Plus Four winning the team award in the RAC Rally.
And winning wasn’t a fluke for this incredible car with Chris Lawrence and Richard Shepherd-Barron winning the appropriate class at the 1962 24 hours of Le Mans in their plus four prepared for the competition.
Competitions were a natural for the plus four because not only was the car immediately suited due to the high power to weight ratio, the tweaks made in 1954 including the radiator now hidden behind a cowl and grille to improve the aerodynamics and the aforementioned addition of the TR2 engine, meant that competing was not only possible but victory was highly probable with the right team behind the wheel.
Morgan then created a 2 seater competition model in 1966 - limited to 42 cars - and was 10% more expensive due to appropriate tweaks like the exhaust manifold, aluminium body which of course was lighter and therefore more suited to task and other notable differences including the Derrington wheel, 72 spoke wire wheels, uprated adjustable rear shock absorbers and the 2.2 litre twin SU carb TR4 engine.
Unlike many of our IDRIVEACLASSIC tests, this is not a classic which is affordable to many but Morgan cars are so iconic and world renowned, I made an exception on my usual rule of bringing affordable classics to the channel.
I will now hand over to Guy, a man of good taste and somebody you’ll have spotted in our Austin 7 owners interview and recent Panhard 20k special.
#Morgan #morgancar #morgan4/4 #morgan+4 #morgan4wheeler #morganfourwheeler
Пікірлер: 121
Steph has a knack of giving us just enough tech info to want to research further, a modern view (because she is young), genuine informed enthusiasm and she just happens to be a phenomenal driver if regular viewers consider what she tests for us and what she drives on a normal day.
Don't worry about the voice over, you captured the sound of the engine wonderfully. Enjoyed that!
@jkk244
3 жыл бұрын
It is a real treat to watch another super video from Steph. I consider myself a fairly knowledgeable car enthusiast, but I always learn so much more by watching one of her videos.
Proper motoring from the days when people needed to know exactly how to drive a car, no driver aids, no ABS, no nothing..
The body is a work of art on wheels, the engine sounds magnificent. Morgan cars are a rare sight here in the USA. Enjoyed the review and drive. Thanks Steph.
I have always fancied a shot of a Morgan.I am envious Steph....
OMG, you look just PERFECT driving that Morgan Steph!!! What a sight!!! Loved this video!!! Much love, Xxxx
Fascinating. Congratulations on finding such a rare car as that particular one. I've only ever seen them in person with the roof folded, I had no idea there's a back seat hiding under there.
What a marvelous sound! The wind in your hair, it looked like you were ready to do the ton!
Morgan’s hold a special place in my heart, as at age 0 I was taken home from North Devon General Hospital (aka Pilton Hilton) having just been born in very early February. I’ve always blamed these cars for my lifelong (I’m now 40ish) interest in cars. How many kids these days are brought home from being born in a draughty, soft top English sports/racing car (it was a holbay motored car, built for sprints). Great video Steph, lovely work, and my fiancé is well jealous of your beehive!
🤗Okay i never liked the strange cross-dacades styling of Morgans but *THIS 1953* has a very good and more balanced look. The styling doesn't have the strange out of place edges, plastic-pieces or that flat beaten fish look. *LOVE IT!!!* ... oh yeah, sorry for my bavarian-english 🙈
@idriveaclassic
3 жыл бұрын
Your English is wonderful ❤️
@crazybrit-nasafan
3 жыл бұрын
Your English is better than some English speakers. And far better than my German.
Absolutely nothing like a Morgan Steph. Perfect decision to show this Plus 4 bacause everyone will enjoy it. Very brave on your part to try her and so so glad that you liked the experience. Excellent
That looks and sounds like it goes really well! Gorgeous thing.
You're wonderdul, just found this delightful channel and have watched a fair few. Really well done, informative without being boring and you are such a natural behind the wheel of all these great cars. Thankyou
What a great video. I've loved the Morgan Plus 4 and Plus 8 since I first saw yhem about 40 years ago at the Toronto International Auto Show. Delightfully eccentric, beautifully made, and somehow just exactly right. As a side note, in the 80s, Morgan in the US was a different car than the one offered here in Canada. In the US, they ran on propane to meet emissions standards. In Canada, they ran on petrol. The other difference was that Canadian market cars had a reinforced frame compared to cars for every other market. That was done to meet our bumper standards, which were more stringent. Canadian cars had to withstand the 4 bumper tests at 5 mph with zero body damage. The more rigid chassis made for a better handling car.
Oh to be back home driving through the Scottish Highlands in a Morgan!! What a blast that would be! 😃 Thks for another great ride!
This was the car all boys wanted back in 1962 The the E Type came out and some of us jumped ship. Still a great car company today but not sure if a stake in it was sold to another company.
@Cthulhu1970
3 жыл бұрын
Morgan is Italian owned now, sadly.
@jeremytravis360
3 жыл бұрын
@@Cthulhu1970 Thats Sad. I know that Peter Morgan thought the company would always be British.
@Cthulhu1970
3 жыл бұрын
@@jeremytravis360 There isn't a single British car company left now. Bristol were bought out by an Indian businessman and have now gone to the wall too.
@jeremytravis360
3 жыл бұрын
@@Cthulhu1970 I guess it was inevitable. At least I know a British speaker company which still makes is products entirely in the UK
That actually looked like fun. And it zipped along quite nicely too.
Brilliant Steph.
Beautiful looking and sounding car Steph. Could tell you enjoyed driving her. I love the variety of cars you bring us on your channel, yet another fantastic review.
Apart from the grille, these haven't changed much appearance-wise. There was a "plus 8" with a Buick/Rover 3.5 V8 for some years. They are still going strong (now owned by an Italian company) and currently use BMW engines.
Lovely looking Morgan and cracking review as always Steph.
That sounds amazing. I'd love to drive that
Great vid steph, emley looking nice.
Always great to see a Morgan, they are often on display in high numbers at classic car shows due to their very active owners club, so great to see such a rare and special example. Surprised to see the Beehive survived the experience too, my old Moss Roadster (a Triumph based Morgan on a budget ) used to blow my girlfriend's hair everywhere when used without the sidescreens in place.
Loved this. I agree with you. There is nothing like looking down the bonnet of a Morgan.
I had an indicator switch like that one on my A35
@Scuba72Chris
3 жыл бұрын
I have two of them, side by side on my 1954 Morris Minor. One for the indicators and one for the trafficators. :)
@promerops
3 жыл бұрын
Before Steph even mentioned the familiarity of the indicator switch, my mind hurtled back the best part of 60 years to the Bond Mini-cars in our family - and then fast forward to her video on the James!
high performance car of that Black and white days
May I say the quality of your shots in detail walk around during initial voice over is best out there. Simply superb.
Great video on a lovely little car. Wonderful exhaust note 😁 Thought you looked very at home in it 😀 and looked easier to drive than I would have thought 😀
What a great sounding car, like a ww2 fighter plane.
@billd66
3 жыл бұрын
My dad used to say that about my MGB that I had back in the 1990s.
Lucky you Steph , always wanted to drive one . Loved the review .
Thanks Steph. Good video. Pete 🇬🇧
Lovely, Steph! Absolutely lovely. That exhaust note, the gearbox whines and being able to see you and through the windscreen AND see the speedo, that little bit on the road was magic. I didn't know they were TR-engine based vehicles either....and me being a Triumph nut, I really should have known! The gearbox looked like it was a bit tough, but a lovely positive change feel, I bet.....and nervous or not, you certainly looked like you were enjoying yourself behind the wheel! Great video once again and a brief (but relevant) history is perfectly acceptable, so don't sweat that OR the fact the voiceover had to be redone. Hearing a voice clearly when the speaker is in the middle of a wind-tunnel (as you obviously were) is never easy! I'm off now to see what the cars are within my reality bracket or if I have to just dream of driving one.... Take care over the break and Merry Christmas if we don't hear from you before the new year :)
Nice one! Where Jay Leno's car reviews lands your's take off and it's all complete!
I thought this car was going to be weak and lame, but when you pushed the start button it surprised me. That engine's a real spitfire, and WOW Stephen you really drove that car! As always, thanks for bringing these videos. I love them.
You have made my day. The first time I saw a Morgan Plus 4 some fifty years ago, I vowed to one day own one. Very familiar with the TR4A, which this motor reminds me of, as does the gearbox, slow synchros. No overdrive, I suppose. I think it must be a love or hate vehicle, and most women I have known hate them. I also have a passion for the Lotus 7. They tell me that if I order a new Morgan, it is a several year wait. That there is little security. That the heaters are cantankerous. That things fall off in your hands whether the vehicle is new or used. I guess it is a passion that few understand. The connection between the roadway, the vehicle and driver is unparalleled. Fun, even at lower speeds. Thank you!
I drive a 4/4 series V . Came over in 63 and with some fetteling it still is well up to current driving conditions.
You did a great job of driving it. I hired one from the factory for 24 hours a few years ago, as I was considering buying one. It was a great experience, but even a new one was a very vintage experience. I really enjoyed it, but decided against buying one as it was a bit too raw for me.
Great review Steph! Nice one 🚗🚗🚗
Morgan, love them! Now I just have to find the money for one...
Great video Steph
Great review of this classic! As someone mentioned, not many of these seen in the States; I grew up on the East Coast in the 1960s, and a lot of younger folks were tootling about (and tinkering w/) MGs, Triumphs, and Austin-Healeys. My Mom, Dad, and Grandmom all had MG-TDs before I was born, and used to rally them in the Washington, D.C. area (in the days when open country had not all been developed). Vintage motoring, for sure!
@Austinmini-rt3zh
3 жыл бұрын
*Healeys
@craigmclean8260
3 жыл бұрын
@@Austinmini-rt3zh Thanks; thought I was missing a letter!
@Austinmini-rt3zh
3 жыл бұрын
@@craigmclean8260 :-)
Yet another fab review Steph! I stopped watching motoring programmes on the TV as a couldn't stand the way Too Gear was taken over by Clarkson, May and that horrible little man who's name escapes me. You and Ian Hubnut are my favourites.
This car is pure class ! Wish you'd shown us the rear seat . Unlike little toy seats like the Healey and the TR 3 have, these are designed to fit two adults; thus the straight up look of the top in the back . Sounds great and you're an ace with the shifting !
Hi Steph beautiful old car similar setup as my 1959 MGA same gear shift pattern. The indicator is slightly different but is on the right side of the dash like the Morgan. The closest car to the Morgan that I have driven was a 1949 MG TC but it had no synchromesh and was a bit of a pig to drive but ok once you got used to it. I hope one day you'll get an MGA on your show I would love to see it. Stay safe young lady and I'll catch you on your next show.💖XX
@bertiewooster3326
3 жыл бұрын
I drive a TC everyday just tell it who the boss is just like riding a horse old chum !
Marjorie Fawcett was the first person along with Geoffrey White to compete at LeMans back in 1938. Finished 13th. Overall too.
Thanks for testing the Morgan Steph what an Amazing old car sounded Great 👍.
Wonderful review 👏👏👏👏
I so much enjoyed the part when you drove it. The gearbox whine, exhaust note and your voiceover telling how enjoyable it was to drive. These cars are not made for long travels or the shopping run, they are for fun trips on back roads.
Oh Steph this car is just soooo you!
@idriveaclassic
3 жыл бұрын
😘
What a lovely little car.
Looksmlije a very interesting car to drive! Beautiful car, with a real wood dashboard and very nice 30's car looks and probably very fun to drive.
You handled that really well Steph. 👍
Great video I enjoyed it so much
@idriveaclassic
3 жыл бұрын
Thank you x
A real woman in a real car. KZread doesn't get much better than this. Please keep up the great work Steph. How about doing a vid in an old SAAB. the 95 or 96. Or even a 99Turbo.
@Howlingd0g
3 жыл бұрын
Older Saabs are some of my favourite cars of all time.
Next step, try a Morgan Plus 8, preferably one of the early narrow-bodied ones (1968-1974), with the original Rover (well, lightly reengineered Buick) 3.5-litre V8. That will be an experience you won't forget. Longer than the Plus 4 or 4/4, with a heavier front end & way more torque, with not a great deal more weight than the 4-cylinder Morgans besides the extra weight of the engine, makes for interesting handling, heavy steering and a tendency to be a bit tail happy, to say the least :) My dad used to own one, a 1970 Plus 8, and it went like a scolded cat, even by modern standards the thing was fairly quick IF you know how to drive it. 125mph on the motorway, pre speed cameras, no problem. Don't know where our one has gone now, tried to trace it but it's come up as SORN, so who knows, but if you can get to opportunity to experience a Morgan Plus 8, you really should, they're like nothing else. Oh yeah, considering you're a British Leyland fan, an early Plus 8 has loads of familiar looking 1960s BL parts, the indicator/horn stalk, switchgear, wheels, lights... ;)
The plus4 always looks very awkward with that dreadful hood erected. It looks so much better hood down but the two seater is far nicer as a design. As for a car to drive, it is not my choice but an interesting car for the Channel...well done for finding one to test! 🙂🙂🙂🙂
Great video 👌
loved that, speeding along the lanes. You controlled it well
@idriveaclassic
3 жыл бұрын
Thanks!
OmG....the bonnet was strapped with a leather belt to keep it securely closed. Truly something you rarely find these days.
Hello Steph I asked you before, any chance you driving a Pricess18/22 soon? Lovely car and extinct here in the Netherlands.
I remember the indicator switch from the Austin A 30, maybe in other colours.
Definitely a stylish little beauty, though not the kind of car I'd actually want to own - I like mine chunky, square and 80s!
@julienbee3467
3 жыл бұрын
What car have you got ?
@Howlingd0g
3 жыл бұрын
@@julienbee3467 Proton Saga and Skoda Favorit. Both now reviewed by Steph!
@julienbee3467
3 жыл бұрын
@@Howlingd0g I discovered Proton when I visited England for the first time
@Howlingd0g
3 жыл бұрын
@@julienbee3467 I think we were the only country in Europe to get them, for whatever reason! A real shame they pulled out in the end, though.
@julienbee3467
3 жыл бұрын
@@Howlingd0g we had them in France as well but later
my dad's Austin A30 had an indicator switch like that in the centre
Steph, that was another neat video! I've long admired Morgans, and have seen a few from time to time here in Florida, but I must confess that I really want to drive a Three Wheeler. We never had laws that made three wheeled cars cheaper, so we never had Reliants either. Most people here know them as "that stupid car that Clarkson rolled". Ugh.
@craigmclean8260
3 жыл бұрын
See "Aging Wheels"; he has a 1991 model!
@catjudo1
3 жыл бұрын
@@craigmclean8260 I’ll do that. Thanks for the link!
Transition car from flatrads to typical 60s Morgan. The grill changed and the "bean can" headlights were eliminated in favor of ones mounted higher. Not many made.
Now that more than a car!
Wow that engine note is creamy !!! I want one !
Now that did look great fun and that burble. Todays car advertisers should watch this and learn what a drivers car is. Great review but the question remains. Is there any triangle of doom when it does have wiper blades on ?
The same engine that was in the Ferguson tractor?
Any chance of a review and test drive of a Bristol?
Hub Nut would go crazy over this car: No wipers at all fixed to the axes!
Morgan is a very eccentric company. They have only ever done things their own way and if you don't like, then go away and buy someting else. Until very recently, all the cars were built on an ash frame. Also the suspension was based on a very old fashioned design that gave it the hard ride but good handling. Wonderful things in a very traditional, if slightly mad way. It's great to see that you are getting to drive and enjoy some very interesting cars Steph. And, great to see you have a very open mind. As I always say, you don't know until you try. Great stuff.
@idriveaclassic
3 жыл бұрын
So true. Always got to enter into a test with an open mind otherwise it’s not a fair one
This video was recommended by Jerry Seinfeld on the Jan 10 '24 episode of the Spike's Car Radio podcast.
Hey Love ur videos....... pls make a video on some Indian cars ..... Love from India ❤
Thx
What stile what class and the car Wasn’t bad either have a great day
a morgan you are going up in the world very you
I hope they saved the original seats
🥰
Jerry Seinfeld sent me here from SCR.
What is MINTEX?
@jkk244
3 жыл бұрын
Mintex is a British company that makes brake pads and other brake parts. As for the stickers on the Morgan, perhaps they were a sponsor when the car was raced.
@mikewysko2268
3 жыл бұрын
@@jkk244 Thank you.☺
Great review,very professional done,like all yours....it is great to see a women with a such a knowledge about cars,and such a feeling for cars and driving....
Are you sure? Looks like the 2021 model.
@idriveaclassic
3 жыл бұрын
Very very sure 😂
About a much use as a handbrake on a conoe 🤔
Are you sure it isn’t from 2010? They still look the same lol!
@___Steinn___
3 жыл бұрын
On the first look, yes. But there are many differences between the older ones and the cars, younger than 30 years or so... grille, wheels, seats and many small details...
@idriveaclassic
3 жыл бұрын
Definitely 53 🥰
Sorry, but hate that top !
Why in some videos do you show your neck and some you don’t
@alansharp1528
3 жыл бұрын
A classic car and a great video once again. A good friend John swears by the Morgan brand and has owned and driven since the 70's