Used car buying guide: Morgan Plus 4

And then in 2000, just as things were looking up, production was brought to a halt in favour of the all-new Aero 8. In 2004, the Plus 4 reappeared, this time with a 145bhp, 2.0-litre Ford Duratec engine mated to the company’s five-speed gearbox. Fortunately parts availability for the Rover engine remains excellent.

The same year fixed-back sports seats became standard on two-seat Plus 4s, with reclining seats as an option. Given how snug the car’s cabin is, it’s important to know what your preferred model has. Meanwhile recliners became standard on the four-seaters. At the same time the old nine-stud vinyl roof was replaced by the simpler and more convenient Easy-up hood. In 2012, a Mazda five-speed gearbox replaced the Ford unit.

Today ‘classic’ is a much over-used term suggesting future investment potential, but despite the fact that there are rather more used Plus 4s available than in years gone by, it’s a description that suits the little car perfectly. Buy a sound one, take care of it and it’ll be at least as good as cash in the bank – only more fun.

Did you know?

A Plus 4 driven by Chris Lawrence and Richard Shepherd-Barron won the class for 1601-2000cc cars at the Le Mans 24 Hours in 1962. The first person to race a Morgan at Le Mans was Prudence Marjorie Fawcett, who partnered Geoffrey White in a Morgan 4/4 in 1938.

How to get one in your garage: 

An expert’s view, Phil Benfield, Allon White sports cars: “Morgans are special. No two are the same, each one has character and soul. There’s a lot of misinformation circulating about the cars, that the chassis is wooden, for example [it’s steel]. Another is that they’re a sure-fire investment that’ll make you a fortune. True, after 10 years a used Plus 4 will be worth more than you paid for it, but don’t expect to clean up overnight. A 1988 E-reg Plus 4 that was £16,000 five years ago costs around £19,500 today.”

Buyer beware...

ENGINE - Look for oil and rad leaks. Servicing is 5000 miles or 12 months (10,000 miles on post-2010 cars). Lack of use affects perishables like rubber hoses. Ensure any start-up smoke clears quickly.

TRANSMISSION - The Rover gearbox with the Rover T16 engine can be notchy. Listen for noises from the rear diff and check its oil level. 

BRAKES AND SUSPENSION - Lack of use can lead to seized brakes and leaky master cylinders. Check the car pulls up quickly in a straight line. Steering should be tight and direct; serious play could be a worn universal joint or bushes, while shaking could be worn kingpins and bushes. Check for sagging rear leaf springs and leaky dampers and for regular servicing of the sliding-pillar front suspension.

CHASSIS - Galvanised chassis from 1995-on don’t rust but can crack at the engine mountings. On earlier cars check for rust by crossmembers and footwells. Post-1998 cars have stainless steel valances and front bulkheads but check for crash damage.

FRAME - Post-1986 cars have Cuprinol-treated ash frames to cure rot, but still check below the doors, sill boards, door hinge posts and rear numberplate mounting.

BODY - Look for even panel gaps, but expect a sizeable one between bonnet and wings. Whether steel or aluminium wings, check for corrosion around the side lights, edges and beading.

INTERIOR - Check seats are fixed-back or reclining. Check fascia and trim for rain damage.

Also worth knowing:

Until 1986 the Plus 4’s wings were sprayed in situ. One giveaway is that the bead between the wing and wing panel is also sprayed, another is the rust developing when the paint flaked as the car moved. Later cars had their wings sprayed separately, so if the bead has overspray, it’s been repainted.