Fantasy Junction

Description

1959 Morgan Plus 4 "Babydoll IV"
s/n 4328
Kingfisher Blue with Black Interior

Morgan sports cars represent the quintessential British motoring experience. Distinctively produced and specially crafted, Morgans have, for many decades, rightfully endeared themselves to a loyal and passionate following. Originally conceived as charming and easily maintained sporting cars, Morgans evolved to deliver impressive performance coupled with a modest price tag, making the range of Morgan cars suitable for widely varied clientele. Building on the success of the much-needed 4/4 series in 1950, the Plus 4 was substantially updated including a newly strengthened chassis, 4” longer wheelbase, front disc brakes, and, introduced in 1962, a powerful 105 hp Triumph power plant. Morgans exported to the USA were distributed by two main agencies: Fergus Imports in New York, and Worldwide Imports in Los Angeles.

In 1956, Rene Pellandini of Worldwide Imports had sold a new Morgan to a young man named Lew Spencer. Spencer was a racing enthusiast, and a talented one, taking his first win in his new Morgan later that same year. Spencer would make quite a name for himself in the coming years both in Morgans and with other makes as is evidenced by a 1993 letter by Carroll Shelby (on file among the documentation for this car) where Shelby stated: "If it hadn't been for you and Babydoll, it would have never been for you and the Cobra". By 1959, Lew would find himself working for Worldwide Imports, who would provide him with a 4/4 Series II Morgan which he would use to achieve similar success in a field of MG TCs, MG TDs, as well as other larger displacement cars. For reasons unknown to this day, that Morgan was nicknamed "Babydoll", and would be the first in a series of cars which Lew Spencer would become victorious with; frequently using them to beat Porsches, Corvettes, and even Mercedes 300SLs.

During the 1959 season Morgan would announce a new Plus 4 Competition model with "Babydoll specifications", a program initiated by Worldwide Imports. These cars were factory fitted with aluminum coachwork and engine sumps, and Derrington exhaust and induction equipment, among other sporting details.

Following the successful placement of several Competition Plus 4 Morgans among Worldwide clientele, in very late 1959, Lew Spencer would receive this car, s/n 4328, now known to the world as Babydoll IV. This would be Spencer's first race car to carry aluminum coachworks, and correspondence on file from Morgan Motors further confirms it was equipped with: Derrington exhaust, twin Weber carburetors, a wood steering wheel, wire road wheels, an electric fuel pump with dual pipes, alloy engine sump, a strengthened gearbox housing, Simmonds lock nuts, and racing tires. All told, this specification would essentially be the same which Super Sports enjoyed in production some years later. Although documented to have been built for the US market, it was nevertheless configured in right hand drive format, and painted Kingfisher blue. As was the case with all his race cars, Lew Spencer would race this example with entry number 145.

Babydoll IV is generally understood by Morgan historians to be the most significant of the Babydoll Series cars. In storage at Worldwide's location until the 1961 racing season, Lew would enter 13 races on the West Coast calendar in 1961, 1962 and early 1963, winning no less than 10 of them, finishing 3rd once, and 4th once. Just one single DNF was recorded during this time, proving that Morgan's defied the mechanical pitfalls which befell the more complicated English cars of the same era. Ultimately, between its success in period as well as in historic racing with following owners, s/n 4328 would earn the title "The Winningest Morgan in the USA".

Lew Spencer ultimately sold Babydoll IV to Earl Jones, who continued using it in lively competition on the West Coast. By the 1980s ownership had passed to Bob Gaetien and the well-worn Babydoll IV was in need of a restoration, having suffered competition shunts and even the brief installation of an aluminum Buick V8. By 1983 Gaetien's restoration was complete and he was awarded a class-winning trophy, having presented it at the Morro Bay Concours. Shortly thereafter a very experienced competitor and collector of interesting cars, Richard Freshman, purchased s/n 4328 and endeavored yet another restoration, this time focusing on reviving its racing capabilities. This work would be performed by Morgan expert and capable racer himself, Greg Solow of The Engine Room in Santa Cruz, California. Solow's involvement with Babydoll IV dated back to Lew Spencer, so he was clearly well-suited to the job, which concluded in 1987.

Like Spencer and Jones before him, Richard Freshman would actively race Babydoll IV while under his ownership. Many astonishing feats were performed by Freshman including a class win at the 1993 Monterey Historics (now the Rolex Reunion), where he outpaced an Aston Martin, 4 Corvettes, and 7 Porsches, nearly all of which boasted larger displacement.

In 2007 Freshman would reluctantly sell s/n 4328 to its current and consigning owner, joining a stable of important similar-era European sports cars, and at least one other Morgan, a Super Sport. Under current ownership, competition success continued with ongoing technical development and many wins garnered at premier historic racing venues.

Dyno results on file indicate engine builds which achieved over 207 horsepower at the crank (at 6500 rpm, with 165 ft/lbs of torque). Invoices outlining a 2020-2021 engine rebuild details a custom (TR4) crank among other expenditures. The current cosmetic presentation is that of a very well cared for vintage race car with light indications of competition use.

The car is offered as a race prepped and tuned example, but also carries a California title, though enjoyable street use will require some adaptation. Accompanying the sale is a vast array of documentation to include period pictures, correspondence with Morgan Motors and Lew Spencer, a timeline of ownerships, many articles and news clippings, period and historic race results, historic racing logbooks, details on the restorations and technical data, as well as a huge grouping or racing spares and extra parts sure to prove helpful to the next owner in a competition setting.

Most recently entered at the 2023 Rolex Reunion and Pre-Reunion weekends, Babydoll quietly awaits its next competition-minded custodian looking for a very special history Morgan to position themselves at the sharp end of the grid with this "Winningest Morgan in the USA".

The above vehicle information is complete and accurate to the best of our knowledge at the time it is posted to this website. Corrections or additional information is always appreciated. All advertised prices exclude government fees and taxes, any finance charges, any dealer document preparation charge, and any emission testing charge. Vehicles are subject to prior sale. All advertised to be true but not guaranteed. We assume no liability for errors or omissions.

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Fantasy Junction  •  510-653-7555  •  1145 Park Ave, Emeryville, CA 94608