Fantasy Junction

Description

1958 Morgan Plus 4 Drophead
s/n 30672, engine no. TS16905E
Two Tone Black and Cream with Black Interior

Morgan’s famously anachronistic sports cars represent the quintessential British motoring experience. Seen as outmoded even by the 1960s, the cars were actually developed continuously, with changes incorporated over the years to keep the cars technically abreast of contemporary developments in key areas, even if other areas, most famously the ash framed bodies, remained as traditional as ever. With that in mind, although the Plus 4 appeared similar to the 4/4 of the interwar years, updates such as the latest Triumph TR4A powerplant (with 105hp instead of 38hp as in the 4/4 or 68hp in the early Plus 4), and front disc brakes, ensured that the Plus 4 was still sporting, thirty years after the 4/4’s heyday.

The great majority of Morgans built were roadsters, available in two- or four-seat form, but from 1950 to 1969, a drophead variant was available as well. With full doors to replace the cutaway doors of the roadster, as well as a more luxuriously trimmed interior and thicker top, the Drophead offered more weather protection and refinement, albeit at a higher price. Despite being in production for 18 years, just 450 Dropheads were built, making them exceptionally rare Morgans.

This particular drophead was reportedly sold new in California in 1959 and was owned by the same doctor in Santa Barbara, California from 1975 to 2015. A complete body off restoration that included all mechanical systems was performed in 2000-2001 at a cost of over $90,000 by Fossil Motors in Chatsworth, California.

The car remains in very nice condition today, with a few signs of aging since the restoration, but strong presentation overall. The body is straight and solid, with good fit overall, although both doors sit somewhat proud at the bottoms. There is also a crack on the top of the left engine cover. The paint is in excellent condition overall, with a few minor blemishes from use and age. The brightwork has light pitting throughout but is otherwise nice. The lights and glass, are in excellent shape and the car sits on Michelin XZX tires.

The interior is in excellent overall condition, with high quality restoration to the wood and dashboard. The instruments have cream faces and are excellent, as are the switches and other controls. The steering wheel is very good, with some pitting on the chrome and a few light scratches. The leather upholstery is excellent, as are the carpets.

The engine compartment is nicely detailed and quite clean aside from some minor soiling and dust. The finishes are in excellent shape and show good attention to detail, including the green hammertone finish to the oil filter housing, cloth wiring harness insulation, and glass windscreen washer fluid reservoir.

This is an excellent opportunity to acquire a nicely restored and very rare drophead Plus 4. One of just a few hundred built, this car came from forty years of long term ownership and was restored to high standards. It runs and drives well and would therefore make an excellent touring car, even offering better weather protection than the typically hardy Morgan enthusiast usually experiences. The car comes with many photos from the restoration, invoices showing more than $90,000 spent on the restoration, a service manual, and original owner’s manual signed by Peter Morgan.

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