LOT 26

1961 Morgan Plus 4 Super Sports Chassis no. 5020 Engine no. TS 82252

Sold for US$100,800 inc. premium

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Lot 26

1961 Morgan Plus 4 Super Sports

The Amelia Island Auction|29 February 2024, 12:00 EST|Fernandina Beach Golf Club

1961 Morgan Plus 4 Super Sports
Chassis no. 5020
Engine no. TS 82252

1991cc OHV 'Lawrence Tune' Triumph TR3 4-Cylinder Engine
Twin Weber 42 DCOE Carburetors, Competition Intake and Exhaust Manifolds
135bhp at 5,000 rpm (est.)
4-Speed Manual Transmission
Sliding King Pin Front Suspension, Solid Rear Axle
Front, Girling Disc Brakes, Rear, Drum Brakes

*The 15th of only 104 Plus 4 Super Sports Made
*Meticulously restored by experts Morgan Motors of New England
*Very fast!
*A rare opportunity

THE MORGAN PLUS 4 SUPER SPORTS

The Morgan Plus 4 Super Sports was the brainchild of Peter Morgan and the talented engineer and driver Chris Lawrence. Lawrence had been almost unbeatable in the BARC under 2-liter class in 1959 racing his own Morgan Plus 4 with an engine he had highly tuned himself. Morgan contacted Lawrence about him supplying engines for a new Morgan model. Lawrence was most interested. The specifications were agreed and the new Morgan Plus 4 Super Sports was announced at the 1960 Earl's Court Motor Show and shortly afterwards in Autosport magazine.

The specification was exciting. Lawrence had the standard Triumph TR3 engine then used in the Morgan Plus 4 dismantled with the crank, flywheel, front pulley, rods and pistons sent to Jack Brabham where they were fully balanced. The cylinder heads were gas flowed by Lawrence and fitted with a camshaft of his own design. The valves were polished, and the compression ratio was increased to 9:1. Twin Weber 42 DCOE carburetors were fitted using a special intake manifold designed by Lawrence, as was a free flow exhaust manifold.

At the Morgan factory the Super Sports bodies, wings, and bonnet/hood were made in aluminum for a weight savings of almost 200 pounds! A bonnet scoop was fitted to accommodate the Webers and an oil cooler added below the radiator. 72-spoke wire wheels were provided to deal with the increased power and Girling front disc brakes were supplied.

The Morgan Plus 4, already a lively and competitive car, was transformed. Morgan next applied to the FIA for their new model to be homologated and therefore eligible for the GT class in international competitions such as the 24 Hours of Le Mans. Morgan committed to producing the 100 Plus 4 Super Sports as required for homologation. The FIA accepted Morgan's application in June of 1961 (Chris Lawrence's privateer Morgan entry for Le Mans had controversially been refused by the French scrutineers earlier that same month).

The first Plus 4 Super Sports were delivered in 1961 and important international competition successes soon followed. In 1962 these included 1st in Class at the Sebring 12 hours, 2nd in Class at the Spa Grand Prix and the famous 1st in Class (with Chris Lawrence and Richard Shepherd-Barron) at the Le Mans 24 hours. More notable international successes followed in 1963 including another 1st in Class at Sebring, 1st and 2nd in Class at Spa, 1st and 2nd in Class at the Nürburgring 1,000 kilometers and a remarkable 1st Overall at the Panama Grand Prix. This auspicious beginning for the Morgan Plus 4 Super Sports in competition continues today in Historic Motorsports.

THE CAR OFFERED

Chassis 5020 was completed in November 1961 to "USA specification with Lawrence tuned engine, wire wheels & disc brakes, aluminum body & wings and oil cooler" in black with red leather interior per the Morgan Motor Company Chassis Record, just as she is today. 5020 has the high-profile body and riveted bonnet scoop which distinguishes the early Plus 4 Super Sports.

5020 was dispatched in December 1962 to Fergus Motors in New York City, which is where she was discovered by Morgan Motors of New England of Copake, New York in 2000. They had received a call from a lady asking if they would be interested in purchasing two Weber carburetors from an "old Morgan" her late husband had owned for many years. The company said that they would and might they inquire what had become of the rest of the "old Morgan". The widow said that the rest of the car was at her home on Staten Island but mostly apart. They traveled straight there and purchased it for the current owner. The car (5020) was found to be remarkably complete including its original chassis, engine, gearbox, and rare Lawrence Tune manifolds, Weber carburetors and aluminum body and wings.

Over the next four years, 5020 was meticulously restored by Morgan Motors to its original specifications including its black paint and red leather interior. When discovered its wheels were red and were restored as such. Its engine was rebuilt, being fully balanced and gas-flowed and with its original competition intake and exhaust manifolds. Photographs of the car as discovered and during restoration are available as well as the detailed records from the restoration. A photocopy of Morgan's hand-written Record Book for 5020 and factory Chassis Record are also included.

5020 has since always been maintained by its restorers and is described by the seller and them as "on the button". The exhaust note of the Plus 4 Super Sports is not soon forgotten and their performance is something to be experienced. This Morgan Plus 4 Super Sports presents a wonderful opportunity for competition or an energizing blast in the country.

Saleroom notices

We are pleased to confirm that additional equipment accompanying the car includes: new side curtains, top, half-tonneau and full tonneau cover, as well as a tool roll, jack and hammer. These will be forwarded to the successful purchaser. Please note this vehicle was titled as a model year 1962.

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