1933 Morgan 750cc Sports Project

Registration no. RB 8228
Chassis no. D548
Engine no. MTOWZ/Z 28020/S (see text)

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 'Sports' or 'Super Sports', the old two-speed transmission disappearing soon after.

The late private owner's family believes he bought this three-speed Morgan over 60 years ago as a project, at which time it was fitted with what appeared to be a partly home-made body (see photographs on file). The chassis was duly rebuilt and retubed, while a more accurate replica body was made by Morgan specialist Ewan Cameron, who also fabricated a new radiator. In addition, the transmission was sorted; a new clutch and new starter motor fitted; and the wheels rebuilt and shod with new tyres. Reputedly, the 750cc JAP water-cooled overhead-valve engine is a 'new-old-stock' unit (also present is a pair of 1,000cc barrels and cylinder heads from Mog Spares).

The machine comes with an old-style V5 registration document and is recorded in the HPI database however, both list the chassis number as 'NOTSTATED'. Accordingly, prospective purchasers must satisfy themselves with regard to this vehicle's registration status prior to bidding. It should also be noted that the engine number is incorrectly recorded as 'MTOW2/226020/S', an obvious typographical error. The Morgan is offered as a potentially most rewarding project requiring completion and is sold strictly as viewed.