1957 Morgan Plus 4

Lot details
Registration No: TXH 941
Chassis No: 3831
Mot Expiry: Exempt

- Built in RHD but supplied new to America and raced there by its first and subsequent owners

- Competed at 1999 Goodwood Revival

- Stainless steel fuel tank

- TR3 Axle with LSD and tie rods

- All steel bodywork

- Ash frame described as excellent

- Original chassis, body and engine

- Competition history in USA at Laguna Seca and other tracks

- Comes with complete original leather interior, hood, side screens, tonneau

- Moss gearbox

- Excellent history file

- Dunlop racing tyres on steel wheels

According to correspondence on file from the Morgan Motor Company, chassis 3831 was completed on 21st November 1957. Finished in Green with Black leather upholstery, its specification included: 'tuned engine, wire wheels, full tonneau and luggage rack'. Road registered as 'THX 941', the Plus 4 was despatched to California on 4th February 1958 where it began a long and successful competition career. Raced by first owner George Pridmore in Sports Car Club of America events (1958-60), his successor - Irv Cox - entered the two-seater for various auto cross and hill climb meetings. Uprated with disc front brakes during the early 1960s, the Morgan resumed circuit racing with the SCCA in 1963 thanks to new owner, Robert E. Crussell.

Mr Crussell campaigned the Plus 4 in regional and national events up and down the West Coast until 1970. Interestingly, that same year also saw chassis 3831 contest a support race during the October 16th-18th Castrol Monterey Grand Prix meeting (one of two International level events on its competition CV). Uprated by engineer Roy 'Grump' Pogue to the maximum extent allowed under SCCA Class E regulations, the two-seater acquired the oil cooler from a F86 Sabre fighter jet, the limited slip differential-equipped back axle from a Triumph TR3 (reputedly ex-Works), tie rods and wider steel wheels / wings. Laid up from 1971-1984, the Morgan resumed racing with John Burks, Lynn Powell (for owner Barbara Killeen) and Norm Martin before being repatriated by Ken Johnstone during 1995.

Entering the current ownership the following year, chassis 3831 was treated to an extensive 'chassis up' restoration. Despite decades of competition usage, California's clement climate meant that the Morgan was found to pleasingly retain its factory-fitted chassis, engine and body tub plus much of its original woodwork. Boasting a welded-in roll cage, stainless steel fuel tank, full flow oil filter and electric cooling fan, the Morgan contested the second Goodwood Revival meeting in 1999 but has otherwise been enjoyed as a fast road car. Benefiting from a re-core of its original radiator and carburettor overhaul in 2015, last year saw it gain a new starter motor. A well developed, smartly presented and unusually original old warhorse that surely has the potential to accumulate yet more silverware!