©By: John T. Blair (WA4OHZ)
1133 Chatmoss Dr., Va. Beach, Va. 23464; (757) 495-8229

1 9 6 5 M o r g a n 4 / 4 S e r i e s V

Factory: Malvern Link, Worcestershire, England

Owner: John T. Blair of Virginia Beach, Va.
Since: 1968

Restored by: John T. Blair (May 1989 - Aug. 1992)
Time: 1740+ hr

Engine: English Ford Cortina - 1500cc 67hp 4 cylinder
Transmission: 4 speed manual

The Morgan Motor Car company of Malvern Link, Worcestershire, England was founded by H. F. S. Morgan in 1909 when he started producing 3 wheel cyclecars. These "trikeses" as they were called, were powered by 2 cylinder motorcycle engines and produced until 1950. In 1934 Morgan introduced the first 4/4. The 4/4 stood for 4 wheels and 4 cylinders. Those original cars looked very similar to this one, except the grill for the radiator was flat, the rear deck had an additional curve at the top and there were 2 spare tires. In 1955 the Factory started the "transition" cars. The nose became rounded, the rear deck became flatter, and only 1 spare tire was used. To all outward appearance the car has not changed since then.

The Morgan Motor Car Co. currently produces 3 versions of the 4 wheeler, the 4/4 1,8 L Ford Modeo Zetec engine producing about 120 Hp, the +4 with a 2 liter Rover engine and the +8 with the Buick Rover Aluminum Block 3.9 L liter engine. The Morgan Motor Car Co. is one of the few remaining independent car companies in the World.

A couple of the interesting features of this car are:

• One of the first independent front suspensions. The stub axle slides up and down on a large kingpin.

• The main frame (chassis) is steel however, the frame for the body is all wood including the rear fender arches, and floorboards.

• The cars are completely hand build. The factory machinery is all circa 1920.

• Airbags are nothing new! The Morgan has had them for years. Instead of protecting the occupants from hitting the dash, the occupants sit on them. The seat bottoms are formed by a piece of 1/4" plywood with a leather pillow case, with an inner tube inside, simply laid on the plywood frame.

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