Morgan Completes Run of Steel-Chassis Sports Cars

Amid the doom and gloom of virus-ridden news, one of the automotive industry’s oldest marques managed to sneak out four new models before shutting up shop.

Morgan, which has closed production for the first time since World War II, managed to roll out four examples of its limited-production Plus 4 70th Anniversary Edition model, its last cars to use a steel chassis. The four cars were completed last month at Morgan’s factory in Malvern Link, U.K.

Morgan has been hand-building sports cars since 1909, and the first Plus 4, its all-time best-selling model, first rolled off the production line in 1950. Production of the 70th Anniversary Edition models follows the launch earlier in March of the new Plus Four, which is underpinned by Morgan’s latest CX-Generation aluminum platform. To differentiate the models, the new car’s name is spelled out in word form as opposed to the numerical reference of its predecessor, and will replace the outgoing 4/4, Plus 4 and Roadster.

Introduction of the new model means the Plus 4 70th Anniversary Edition models will be the last to be built on Morgan’s traditional steel chassis, a version of which has been in production since the Morgan 4-4 was introduced in 1936. For a short time, the last of the traditional steel-chassis Plus 4 models are being built alongside the first of the CX-Generation platform Plus Four models.

Morgan Plus 4 interior

Just 20 Plus 4 70th Anniversary Edition cars are to be built. They feature an individually numbered plaque, marking them for years to come as some of the last steel-chassis Plus 4 models.

A specially embroidered headrest will further differentiate the edition. Also, for the first time, the chassis will be painted in gold, highlighting its significance in Morgan’s 111-year history.

The company’s in-house design team decided on platinum metallic paint, to mark its platinum anniversary, complemented by satin dark gray wire wheels.

Inside (above, left), the leather-clad interior is enhanced by a Ravenwood veneer dashboard, dark gray box-weave carpets and a satin black Mota-Lita steering wheel. Other specified extras include a leather-trimmed steering cowl and door handles, mohair hood cover and sidescreen storage bags. Heated seats, footwell lighting and a commemorative Photographic Build Record are included with the car.

The cars come with an engine map configured by Aero Racing, Morgan’s in-house motorsport specialists, raising power from 154 hp to 180 hp and lowering its 0-62 mph (100 km/h) acceleration time to less than seven seconds. Alongside this, the cars are fitted with an Aero Racing sports exhaust finished with a ceramic-black tailpipe.

“It has been fantastic to witness the first Plus 4 70th Anniversary models complete production,” Morgan Chairman and CEO Steve Morris says. “They represent the last steel-chassis models, and we are delighted to be able to celebrate such a significant milestone in this way.”

The Plus 4 70th Anniversary Edition is priced at £60,995 ($72,175) including taxes. Deposits already have been taken on each of the 20 cars.