1965 Morgan Plus 4

Description

In a country steeped in tradition, the British-built Morgan takes that heritage to the extreme by continuing to build its automobiles in much the same way Henry Frederick Stanley Morgan did when he founded Morgan Motor Company in Malvern Link, England, in 1910.

This 1965 Morgan Plus Four stands as a captivating symbol of Morgan’s craftsmanship while offering a driving experience that is both spirited and nostalgic. Its sleek and compact silhouette is accentuated by sweeping fenders and a distinctive radiator grille, with the hand-formed body crafted over an ash wood framework. The 1965 Plus Four housed a 2,138 cc Triumph TR4 engine, though this Morgan has under prior ownership had the original engine replaced by a 1,991 cc Triumph TR3 engine that Morgan used in many Plus Fours. The restrained yet refined interior features classic leather upholstery, simple yet informative gauges, and a wooden steering wheel, inviting the driver and passenger to connect with the essence of driving. 

This motorcar benefits from 28 years of ownership by the consignor. The Morgan Plus Four is not merely an automobile; it’s a rolling testament to the rich heritage of British motoring, inviting those fortunate enthusiasts to relish in the joy of driving a true vintage masterpiece.  

Highlights 

• Four owners from new, including current ownership since December 1996 

• Refurbished twice under current ownership 

• Refinished in Morgan-approved Ivory paint 

• 1,991 cc Triumph TR3 engine 

• Morgan-approved Ford five-speed manual transmission  

Features 

• Refurbishment and upgrades include: 

  • Morgan-approved five-speed Ford gearbox replacing original four-speed Moss box 

  • Complete body-off evaluation and repair of the traditional Morgan wooden frame  

  • Worn-out original bladder bench seat replaced with Morgan bucket seats from a 1970s era Plus 8  

  • Reupholstered, including the addition of a zippered tonneau cover 

  • A second refurbishment three years ago tightened the entire frame and a body off repaint in the Morgan approved ivory body color 

  • Oil cooler installed 

  • More efficient radiator fan installed 

  • Fuel lines insulated to protect against vapor lock 

  • Radiator expansion tank added 

  • Cockpit insulated 

  • Morgan supplied wire wheels to replace the original solid disc hubs 

  • Wider spacing of the pedals 

  • Leather and wool bonnet strap renewed 

  • New front and rear bumpers (fenders) 

  • Addition of twin overriders on the rear bumper 

  • Twin SU carbs

  • New fuel tank  

  • Additional fuel pump 

  • Additional brake cylinder 

  • Cylinder head re-machined  

  • Clutch re-machined to make it more responsive 

  • Two additional wing mirrors have been installed close to the cockpit 

  • Two wind deflectors have been added 

  • Tires have less than 3,000 miles and the speedo was precisely re-calibrated after their fitting 

Known Imperfections 

• Original 2,138 cc Triumph TR4 engine replaced by 1,991 cc Triumph TR3 engine 

• Top cover and side screens have been eliminated 

• Second gear is sticky when cold but functions normally after a couple of cycles  

• Two small, non-propagating cracks in the windshield, one in the lower right corner, the other behind the rear vision mirror 

• The twin brake lights, although both supplied by Morgan Motors, are slightly different if inspected closely 

• There is one missing securing pin for the tonneau cover  

• A very slight blemish in both the front and rear bumpers  

• A radio aerial is fitted but there has been no radio installed under current ownership 

• The brake fluid level light on one of the fluid reservoirs is malfunctioning (the fluid levels are fine) 

• The heater has been disconnected  

Included 

• Keys 

• Jack

• Tonneau cover  

 Ownership History 

The consignor states, “This 1965 Morgan Plus Four, chassis 6026, has been with the current owner since December 1996 and always garaged. Originally delivered from Morgan’s Malvern Hills, UK, factory on August 18, 1965, to Fergus Fine Cars of New York, the vehicle’s first owner was Mr. Scott H. Grundy. Two additional owners enjoyed the vehicle before it was acquired by the current owners, who have spent most of their time in Texas and, for the last 14 years, in Arizona. Because of the hot locations (Texas and Arizona), the car is a ‘fair weather’ vehicle — top cover and side screens have been eliminated and various hot weather modifications made.”