1929 Morgan-JAP Aero Three-wheeler

• An older restoration
• Present ownership since 2003
• Mostly kept in storage
• Good restored condition
• Requires recommissioning

Its superior power-to-weight ratio enabled H F S Morgan's humble, three-wheeled cyclecar to outperform many a larger engined four-wheeler, and its maker was not slow to capitalise on his creation's competition potential. A Gold Medal in the 1911 London-Exeter-London Reliability Trial with Morgan himself driving was followed by victory in the inaugural cyclecar race at Brooklands the following year, Harry Martin taking the chequered flag three minutes ahead of the field. Racetrack successes led directly to road-going spin-off in the form of the Grand Prix model, introduced for 1914. The first Aero sports model, inspired by the Grand Prix, followed immediately after WWI. Subsequent technological developments included the fitting of front brakes, operated by hand lever, from 1924 and the adoption of a new chassis - the M-type - on the new Super Sports Aero model in 1928. This new chassis was some 2½" lower than its predecessor and undoubtedly helped Morgans trounce the opposition at the New Cyclecar Club's meeting at Brooklands later that year.

Progressively developed, the ever-popular Aero remained a fixture of the Morgan range until 1932 when the original two-speed chain transmission began to be phased out in favour of a conventional three-speeds-plus-reverse gearbox. At the same time the model name was abbreviated to simply 'Super Sports', the old two-speed transmission disappearing soon after.

Power units from various suppliers were used in the Aero over the years, and this example is powered by a 1,124cc sidevalve v-twin sourced from J A Prestwich. Believed restored by a previous owner, 'UL 8396' was in good condition when purchased by the current vendor in 2003 and has been used on the road, albeit stored for most of the time. The Morgan is presented in good restored condition but following a period of inactivity will require sympathetic recommissioning and the usual safety checks before returning the road. Accompanying paperwork consists of a V5C document, SORN, and a DVLA MoT check (last MoT expired in July 2012).
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