1972 Morgan 4/4 Roadster
Unusual Left Hand Drive, Original U.S. Delivery
Example
Very Rare Leather Bucket Seat Roadster - Older Professional Restoration
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Offered for the first time in over a decade
from long-term ownership, this 1972 Morgan 4/4 Roadster is both an appealing
driver and a good-looking older restoration. The car was refinished following
a bare metal respray that started with all individual panels having first
been dip-stripped before finishing and reassembly.
Riding on Avons mounted to the correct knockoff
splined hub painted wire wheels, this Morgan has the right look!
The body is straight, sound and solid down both
sides. Chrome bumpers and brightwork are all very presentable with very
little weathering overall.
On reassembly, all fender beading was replaced.
Panel fit is as good as when the car left the factory (still in operation
today, a fascinating place to see if you're ever in Blighty) in Malvern
Link, Worcestershire. A few minor paint defects have accumulated since the
respray, most limited to the front wings owing to road debris or something
having to do with the bonnet and all have been touched up over time. Perfecting
these would be a matter of a few hundred dollars and a skilled painter who
could blend in the area (it is in the black, so it will be undetectable
once done).
The luggage rack doubles as a spare tyre hold-down
and is a factory accessory piece.
Without unsightly bumpers from the day it was
new, this 4/4 has the right look one only sees outside the USA or on much
earlier examples.
The car was sold new by Morgan in the UK directly
to a gentleman from Minnesota who used it to tour the Continent for a while
before bringing it home to the USA. It has only traded privately since that
time and has resided in Morgan enthusiast collections since. We can think
of no reason why it would not be able to be registered in all 50 U.S. states
as it is, of course, on a clear VA title and is a nearly 40-year-old car.
In addition to the erectable top and side curtains,
the car still features a tonneau cover which can be tucked behind the seats
or zipped over one or both front seats. All fasteners are present and the
tonneau is easy to fit in a hurry should bad weather pop up.
You can go from this...
... to this ...
... keeping your stuff cool and dry ...
... or remove it completely and erect the top.
The top is believed to be original (as is the
tonneau) - it has some light staining from long storage and may need to
be dyed or cleaned.
The side curtains are in really great original
shape. These sit nicely beneath the top bows when not in use.
The wind wings fitted to the sides of the windscreen
frame keep the draft off both driver and passenger.
Just a bit of crud and polish on the clean,
crisp Cibie H4 lamp here - I only noticed it in the photo. These are nice,
bright lamps - a big improvement over sealed beams.
The leather seats were reupholstered and rebuilt
about a decade and a half ago by the current owner. They are the original
shells.
The Kangol 3-point belts are believed to be
original to the car as ordered.
The leather-covered transmission tunnel is a
nice touch and is believed original to the car, along with the shift and
parking brake boot.
The original factory sill plates adorn both
sides.
The original dash is simple with its large instruments
and rocker switches. At this time, owing to a long period of storage, the
instrument voltage stabilizer and speedometer, angle drive or cable are
bad and require repair or replacement. The only ill-effects of the voltage
stabilizer are inoperative water and fuel gauges. (The car runs cool at
70mph on a summer day for extended periods, so it's not been a priority
for the current owner). The fault in the speedometer is not known and has
been this way for a while, so the total mileage is unknown. The Smiths tachometer
does work, however.
The instrument itself is in fine shape and the
fault is more likely in the cable than in the gauge. Either way, it is an
inexpensive and not difficult detail.
The original 1600cc 'Kent' English Ford cross-flow
four-cylinder engine sports a dress-up kit, a racing 2-barrel Weber carburetor
from the owner's stash of Formula Ford parts, tubular header and recent
maintenance.
The car starts ably even without a choke (which
the racing Weber does not have). It aids in performance over the stock SUs
or Stromberg - we're not sure what it had when new as the car came into
the current owner's collection with a crappy 2bbl Weber long-since discarded.
Note the tubular 4-2 headers and Lucas alternator,
not just a generator, in this photo.
In the underbonnet tool tray, the knockoff hammer
and spanner as well as the jack handle on one side...
... and the jack on the other side.
All four wheels and tyres from the left-front
anti-clockwise around the car.
This is a very solid Morgan all the way around.
The engine does not mark its territory - there are years of light seepage
seen here along with residue from the 'one shot' system for lubrication
of the sliding pillar suspension.
Closeup from left front corner towards right
rear wheel.
Closeup from the right front corner across to
the opposite rear wheel.
Finally, everything as seen from the rear. Shocks
seen here are either Spax or Konis, we don't recall, but definitely add
to the car's great road-handling characteristics.
who we are, et.c.
I'm Chip Lamb, contributor to publications such
as Keith Martin's Sports Car Market and all-round player in the realm of
collector automobiles. The owner of this car (and one other that we will
be listing shortly) is a long-time friend of mine who asked that we try
to find new homes for cars from his collection that don't see the sort of
use he'd like them to. While his storage is very kind to his cars, which
include vintage racers and other unusual rides, he is more enamored of driving
his cars rather than just looking at them. Despite sitting, this Morgan
still runs and drives very well with the visceral feel of a classic British
sports car with the reliable Kent 1600cc engine and 4-speed manual transmission,
making for one of the most appealing drivers and one that's easy on the
eyes to boot.
This is not 'my first rodeo' with regard to
selling cars on eBay or elsewhere, be it around the block or around the
world. Should you need assistance with your first eBay automobile purchase,
I'm happy to help you and would hope my integrity and experience give you
plenty of confidence during the purchase of a great car. This is why my
friend chose me to sell this for him - neither of us have any desire to
mislead or deceive anyone we deal with.
payment/shipping terms
Payment must be received and cleared within
seven days of auction close. Accepted forms of payment include bank wire
transfer, cleared certified cheque or cash on pickup. There will be no exceptions
to this unless cleared with me
in advance of your bid. We do not make loans or extend credit as we
are not a bank. We do not issue temporary tags - though if you are a Virginia
resident, the DMV gives you a 3 day transit temp tag for $5, just ask them.
Your state may do similarly, so check if you are not sure.
Shipping/pickup must take place within fourteen
days of auction close unless cleared
with me in advance of your bid. You may drive home, trailer yourself
or contact a commercial transporter. We recommend this be shipped via enclosed
carrier since it is fragile and somewhat open to the elements, even with
the top on. If you need a referral, please
don't hesitate to ask. I will be happy to transport this myself via
enclosed trailer to the ports of Baltimore or Norfolk for $350 should you
require this - please confirm
this with me in advance of your bid.
Bid with confidence, see my feedback and other
auctions, thanks for looking.
QUESTIONS? COMMENTS? CONCERNS?
E-MAIL
ME OR CALL 804-357-4926