Fantasy Junction

Description

1963 Morgan Plus 4 Super Sport
Chassis No. - 5352
Blue with Black Leather 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.

Consistent with their performance pursuits, Morgan campaigned successful entries into motorsports events earning their reputation as viable competitors against larger displacement cars. The lightweight, nimble chassis and clever engineering created newfound interest in the growing and all-important North American market. Competition prepped cars earned the name ‘Super Sport’ derived from the earlier days of three-wheel Morgan racers.

After Morgan enthusiast Chris Lawrence was denied a 1961 Le Mans entry with his Plus 4, Morgan launched full company works support for the Super Sport series cars resulting in a 1962 Le Mans class win. Available via special order, the Super Sport was essentially identical to the Le Mans prepped cars. The Super Sport was hand built over the standard Plus 4 chassis using aluminum body panels (body, fenders, and seat frames) formed over the standard ash frame. The hood was fitted with an offset hood scoop, while the chassis featured reinforced front suspension, racing tires, and disc brakes. With Morgan chassis and body completed, these specialized cars were sent to Chris Lawrence’s workshops in Westerham Motors while the engine, clutch, flywheel, connecting rods, and crankshaft were delivered to Jack Brabham Motors for balancing. These TR3 and later TR4 engines became known as Lawrence Tune engines due to their specialized build specs. The cylinder head was polished and gas-flowed, compression ratio raised to 9:1, and a high-lift camshaft installed. Twin dual throat 42 or 45 DCOE Weber carburetors were mounted to a cast alloy manifold and a tubular exhaust system fitted for side exit. Between 1961 and 1968 just 104 aluminum Super Sports were produced, 50 of which were the highly specialized 'Low Line' cars. Low Line variants took advantage of the reduced height of the intake and exhaust set up, resulting in a lower cowl and radiator height. This reduced frontal cross section delivered improved aerodynamics. ‘Low Line’ cars are also identified by a reduced radiator aperture connected to a header tank set back on the firewall. As expected, the lightweight construction and added horsepower allowed these cars to achieve racing victories including numerous wins by Lew Spencer, Chris Lawrence (The Lawrence Tune Team), and Arch McNeill who campaigned at Sebring.

This Morgan Plus 4 Super Sport is one of 104 factory-built cars and one of four constructed at the factory in competition trim with disc brakes and a removable hardtop. Supported by the original London County Council Vehicle Excise License, factory build documentation, and assorted sale transfer documents, this Morgan Super Sport features ownership documentation since new. Delivered to the first owner Jack Frederich “Baggy” Sach, a close friend of Peter Morgan, Sach replaced his Morgan Plus 4 drophead with 5352 on March 13, 1963. Though the TR4 engine was available, Sach opted for the Lawrence Tune TR3 due to the 1991cc engine size which made it eligible for the under 2-liter racing class. Sach liked the TR3 engine in his drophead so much that he had Morgan install the same engine (TS 81954 ME) in the new Super Sport. Interestingly, Morgan factory records indicate this engine number for both cars as “new” to each car. Ownership continued to Christopher Pickard, UK through 1976 and briefly to Paul Donovan who sold the car to Luigi Chinetti Motors, USA in October 1976. By May 1977 long-term owner Lee O. Gaskins, New Jersey, purchased the car, retaining it for 28 years participating in numerous North American racing events before the car was sold to the current owner in 2005.

Of particular note, 5352 was advertised in June 1976 “Thoroughbred & Classic Cars” on offer by Marshall Wingfield Ltd at that time noting extensive racing history in the UK through the 1960s and 70s. Logbooks accompanying the car cover events from the 1990s - 2009 and are accompanied by numerous written records noting accumulated miles, detailed specifications and trackside notes, mechanical service and tech notes for replacement parts, racing performance results, steering and tire specifications, track times, gearbox notations, corner weight notations, and tire notations.

Under current ownership the owner continued vintage racing until 2012 when he commissioned a comprehensive restoration which concluded in 2016. Every effort was made to bring the car back to the original factory specifications with the restoration including the fitting of alloy “Low Line” body panels in keeping with the original 50 “Low Line” cars constructed in period. Morgan Motors, UK supplied much of the specialized parts and components while Hasselgren Engineering prepared a TR4 engine with competition features including decking the block, machining pistons and sleeves, a special grind camshaft, balanced components, and dyno testing for the engine with results exceeding 140 hp. In keeping with the spirit of the original Lawrence Tune engine, a polished alloy cam cover bearing their name was installed.

Today this Morgan Super Sport presents in exceptional condition throughout. Having covered test miles and occasional recreational miles since it was completed, the car is very well sorted and remains in show-ready condition. The smooth deep blue finish has excellent coverage with deep luster covering the aluminum body panels unique to the Super Sport. The ‘Low Line’ profile is distinctive and notably improves the stance and competition presence captured in the history of this rare car. The chrome is excellent throughout, including the bumper uprights, windshield frame, and wire wheel knock offs. The Morgan grille is in excellent condition, lowered along with the hood and cowl line uniquely forming the ‘Low Line’ series. The overall cosmetic impression of the car is truly exceptional particularly the deep blue finish, dark wire wheels, and black wall tires. Further supporting the competition history, the lightweight fiberglass factory hardtop is finished in white and fits snugly to the windshield.

The interior presentation is consistent with the high quality of the exterior featuring correctly trimmed black leather seating, vintage style competition seat belts, and a covered center tunnel featuring a 4-speed manual transmission. Beautifully finished throughout the cockpit, the wood dashboard features three large instruments showing clear lenses, crisp nomenclature, and correct switches. The perimeter door cap trim and inner door panels add a finishing touch to the interior while the wood rim and aluminum spoke steering wheel further conveys the competition origins of this Super Sport.

Opening the center hinged ‘Low Line’ hood, a delightful blend of finishes and details are revealed on each unique engine side. The larger capacity TR4 engine has been properly detailed reflecting correct specifications for the original Super Sport line. Here too, attention to various mechanical components is consistent and to a high level including the low-profile intake manifold, twin dual-throat 42 DCOE Weber carburetors, including the installation of a correct type water tank and water lines as originally installed in the ‘Low Line’ series cars. The underside of the car is further evidence of the exceptional restoration from suspension, disc brakes, and stainless-steel exhaust all of which have been restored to concours standards.

The car starts easily and warms to operating temps under smooth idle. Driving manners are rewarding in every respect including impressive acceleration and well-spaced gears. With the top off, visibility is excellent as the 4-speed moves smoothly through all gears. The front disc brakes are a fitting pairing to the lightweight alloy body and added horsepower delivered by the competition tuned engine. The car tracks very well offering delightful high-speed control well beyond what one might expect from an already impressive standard Plus 4. With the rare hard top and travel provisions, this Morgan Super Sport is a wonderful candidate for vintage events or adventurous mountain road excursions.

This Super Sport comes with a removable fiberglass hardtop, two Morgan sales brochures, two racing logbooks, a Morgan Plus 4 instruction book, a Profile Publications book on the Morgan Plus 4, numerous copies of invoices dating back the 1990s, restoration and parts records, historic UK ownership documentation, and articles describing the history of this car.

This is an excellent opportunity to acquire a handsomely finished and rare Morgan Plus 4 Super Sport. As a late production example outfitted with the Triumph TR4 engine and front disc brakes, this Super Sport further benefits from a comprehensive restoration and copious documentation since new. One of four rare factory competition cars built, this premier alloy-bodied competition Morgan Super Sport is ready to deliver the utmost in British vintage motoring for the next fortunate enthusiast.

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