LOT 45
1966 Morgan Plus 4 Plus Chassis no. A 6373 Engine no. CT 69673
Sold for US$145,600 inc. premium
Lot 45
1966 Morgan Plus 4 Plus
1966 Morgan Plus 4 Plus
Chassis no. A 6373
Engine no. CT 69673
Chassis no. A 6373
Engine no. CT 69673
2,138cc 4-Cylinder Triumph Engine
Twin SU Carburetors, 104bhp at 4,700rpm
4-Speed Manual Transmission
Sliding King Pin Front Suspension, Solid Rear Axle
Front Disc - Rear Drum Brakes
*The 25th of only 26 built
*Distinguished provenance
*Prize winning restoration by Morgan Motors of New England
*Very quick and uniquely stylish
THE MORGAN PLUS 4 PLUS
The Plus 4 Plus was the creation of Peter Morgan who, in the early 1960s, wanted to add an "up-to-date" model to the Morgan line. This sleek new design was completed in time for it to be displayed at the London Motor Show in 1963. The Plus 4 Plus was lighter and more aerodynamic than the traditional Plus 4 roadster and was campaigned throughout 1964 in hillclimbs and trials including the MCC Land's End Trial, the MCC Exeter Trial and Shelsley Walsh Hillclimb.
The new Plus 4 Plus, with its modern silhouette (and the headroom to accommodate Peter's 6'2" frame), was priced at a 50% premium to the traditional Plus 4 roadster. It was not a commercial success with only 26 being produced before the supplier of its fiberglass bodies, EB Plastics, suffered a fire which destroyed the tooling for the Plus 4 Plus bodies. There would be no more.
Peter Morgan was always proud of his creation. His admiration for its modern shape and excellent performance never diminished. Peter's view has been born out by the Morgan Plus 4 Plus today being amongst the most highly sought after Morgans ever produced.
THE CAR OFFERED
The car offered here, the 25th built, has an impressive provenance. It was purchased new by Douglas Van Patten, the prominent naval architect who designed the record setting "Miss Canada III" and "Miss Canada IV" hydroplanes amongst other important commissions including "Beatrice", at 1,200 feet the largest boat in the world in 1964. His son Doug, also a naval architect, inherited the Plus 4 Plus upon his father's death in 1990.
The vendor, a Morgan enthusiast for more than 50 years, purchased the car from Doug in 2010 through Morgan Motors of New England and commissioned them to do a "nut and bolt" restoration of this wonderfully original car. The restoration of the fiberglass body was entrusted to an artisan from Hinckley Yachts and the interior was beautifully made by Paul Russell and Company. The rarity of the Van Patten Plus 4 Plus and its restoration was rewarded in 2017 with the car winning "Best in Show" first time out at the Morgan 3/4 Club annual meet. Its second time on the show field was at the 2019 Fall Vintage Festival at Lime Rock where it won the Chairman's Award. The car has not been shown since.
Historical photographs of the Van Patten car (including one from 1970 with Peter Morgan in the driver's seat), and photographs from the restoration are provided as well as the detailed records from the restoration. A photocopy of Morgan's hand-written Record Book for the car and the factory Chassis Record are also provided.
The Van Patten Plus 4 Plus has been meticulously maintained and is reported to be "on the button", as it proved to be on a test drive last fall. It offers a rare opportunity for the sporting enthusiast.
Twin SU Carburetors, 104bhp at 4,700rpm
4-Speed Manual Transmission
Sliding King Pin Front Suspension, Solid Rear Axle
Front Disc - Rear Drum Brakes
*The 25th of only 26 built
*Distinguished provenance
*Prize winning restoration by Morgan Motors of New England
*Very quick and uniquely stylish
THE MORGAN PLUS 4 PLUS
The Plus 4 Plus was the creation of Peter Morgan who, in the early 1960s, wanted to add an "up-to-date" model to the Morgan line. This sleek new design was completed in time for it to be displayed at the London Motor Show in 1963. The Plus 4 Plus was lighter and more aerodynamic than the traditional Plus 4 roadster and was campaigned throughout 1964 in hillclimbs and trials including the MCC Land's End Trial, the MCC Exeter Trial and Shelsley Walsh Hillclimb.
The new Plus 4 Plus, with its modern silhouette (and the headroom to accommodate Peter's 6'2" frame), was priced at a 50% premium to the traditional Plus 4 roadster. It was not a commercial success with only 26 being produced before the supplier of its fiberglass bodies, EB Plastics, suffered a fire which destroyed the tooling for the Plus 4 Plus bodies. There would be no more.
Peter Morgan was always proud of his creation. His admiration for its modern shape and excellent performance never diminished. Peter's view has been born out by the Morgan Plus 4 Plus today being amongst the most highly sought after Morgans ever produced.
THE CAR OFFERED
The car offered here, the 25th built, has an impressive provenance. It was purchased new by Douglas Van Patten, the prominent naval architect who designed the record setting "Miss Canada III" and "Miss Canada IV" hydroplanes amongst other important commissions including "Beatrice", at 1,200 feet the largest boat in the world in 1964. His son Doug, also a naval architect, inherited the Plus 4 Plus upon his father's death in 1990.
The vendor, a Morgan enthusiast for more than 50 years, purchased the car from Doug in 2010 through Morgan Motors of New England and commissioned them to do a "nut and bolt" restoration of this wonderfully original car. The restoration of the fiberglass body was entrusted to an artisan from Hinckley Yachts and the interior was beautifully made by Paul Russell and Company. The rarity of the Van Patten Plus 4 Plus and its restoration was rewarded in 2017 with the car winning "Best in Show" first time out at the Morgan 3/4 Club annual meet. Its second time on the show field was at the 2019 Fall Vintage Festival at Lime Rock where it won the Chairman's Award. The car has not been shown since.
Historical photographs of the Van Patten car (including one from 1970 with Peter Morgan in the driver's seat), and photographs from the restoration are provided as well as the detailed records from the restoration. A photocopy of Morgan's hand-written Record Book for the car and the factory Chassis Record are also provided.
The Van Patten Plus 4 Plus has been meticulously maintained and is reported to be "on the button", as it proved to be on a test drive last fall. It offers a rare opportunity for the sporting enthusiast.
Saleroom notices
We are pleased to confirm that additional material accompanying the car includes: tool roll, jack and hammer as well as extremely rare original sales brochures/literature on the model. These will be forwarded to the successful purchaser. Please note this vehicle was titled as a model year 1967.
Additional information
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