1954 Morgan Plus 4
A 1954 Morgan Plus 4 originally delivered to a Newcastle customer, this car was subsequently acquired by well-known Morgan racer and main agent John Macdonald, who had it returned to the Morgan factory and comprehensively rebuilt to supersports specification. The conversion included a super-light aluminium body, a full-race steel engine with twin 45 Weber carburettors, close-ratio gearbox, aluminium componentry throughout, and a Lawrencetune manifold. In this form it achieved outright race victories against varied historic competition. It holds full FIA HTP papers and is finished in a distinctive green adopted as an official Morgan colour at Charles Morgan's request.
Ownership
- 2015-07-23Auction saleEstimate £70,000 – £90,000
- 1954-06-02 →Factory deliveryThomas Haddonpartial documentation
Original recipient of the car as dispatched from the Morgan factory; the car was used in period competition during his ownership.
- Date unknownAcquisition unknownJohn Macdonaldpartial documentation
A prominent Morgan main agent and racer who developed the car as a replacement for his previous Plus 4 competition machine. He commissioned an extensive rebuild to supersports specification and painted the car in the shade now known as Connaught Green.
- Date unknownAcquisition unknownCurrent vendorfull documentation
Commissioned an engine rebuild and fitted new wheels, clutch, and a hardtop to enable GT-class eligibility. The car was raced at Donington Park during this ownership and is accompanied by a comprehensive history file and FIA HTP papers issued in June 2009.
Competition
- —Historic sports car race (period, venue unspecified)Driver: John Macdonald1st overall
First outing after the supersports rebuild; the field included a lightweight E-type, a Tojiero Buick V8, and several single-seaters including a Cooper Bristol GP car driven by Roddy McPherson.
- —Oulton Park race (historic, date unspecified)2nd overall
Finished behind Ben Cussons' Jaguar C-Type at Oulton Park.
- —GTS EquipeGTS Equipe race, Donington Park
Shared the grid with the ex-Lawrence/Shepard Barron Morgan Plus 4 known as 'Choc Ices', which this car reportedly lapped during the race.
Maintenance & restoration
- 2009Inspection
FIA HTP papers issued, certifying the car for national and international historic competition.
- —RestorationMorgan factory
Car returned to the Morgan factory and fully rebuilt to 1959 supersports specification; work included fitting a super-light aluminium body, a full-race all-steel engine with twin 45 Weber carburettors and Lawrencetune manifold, close-ratio gearbox, 4.1 GKN differential, integral aluminium fuel tanks (short and long racing), aluminium floors, sump and rocker cover, Alfin rear brake drums, and a chronometric rev counter.
Rebuild undertaken during John Macdonald's ownership as a replacement competition car for his previous Plus 4.
- —Engine rebuild
Engine fully rebuilt by or during the current owner's tenure; new wheels, clutch, and a hardtop were also fitted to allow the car to be entered in GT as well as open sports car categories.
- —Service
Recent servicing carried out in preparation for continued competition use.
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