1939 Morgan 4/4 Series 1 'Flat Rad' (1098cc Climax Engine)

• A fabulous, Series 1 'Flat Rad' from 25-years ownership
• Exemplary restoration by true Morgan fanatics and craftsmen
• Chassis-up rebuild with outstanding attention to detail
• Fitted with a 1098cc Climax from the Le Mans Replica
• Finished in Ford Deep Navy with black trim
• Minimal use since completion. Simply exquisite

The Morgan 4/4 (later known as the 4/4 Series 1 ) made its debut at the Motor Show in 1936 (until then Morgans had only ever appeared at the Motor Cycle Show) priced very competitively at 185 Guineas. The new car featured an open two-seater body with luggage space behind the seats and two spare wheels mounted at the rear. The four-cylinder Coventry Climax had a capacity of 1122cc with overhead pushrod-operated inlet valves and side exhaust valves and 34bhp was transmitted through a Borg and Beck clutch down a short shaft to a mid-mounted 4-speed gearbox and onwards down a Hardy Spicer prop shaft to a spiral-bevel back axle.

Having been with its current custodian for approximately 25 years, VV 7819 has to be one of the finest Series 1 Morgans available today. Our vendor and Morgan fanatic owned another Series 1, purchased in 1970, which was used extensively for touring and after 25 years of enjoyment the ravages of time called for a refurbishment, so with that in mind a donor car was sourced, that being the car on offer today. Upon further investigation, it was found that the two cars were just two chassis numbers apart – Chassis nos #825 and #827, so how could he break one of the two factory siblings, having just found each other after all these years? 

With room in the stable for two, a decision was taken and a long term project commenced resulting in the first car, the green Series 1, being rebuilt followed by its stablemate, the stunning blue car that we have the pleasure to offer today. VV 7819 was rebuilt by Morgan fanatics and craftsmen to the very highest of standards with every component scrutinised from the bare chassis up. Every mechanical aspect of the car received attention including the Coventry Climax 1098 cc engine, the four-speed Moss gearbox  rebuilt by George Proudfoot, rear axle, suspension springs and steering. The interior was restored and retrimmed and a full tonneau cover fitted, a full hood and side screens being deemed unnecessary at this point. All the chromework was replaced or re-plated and the original Morgan panels were treated to several coats of gleaming Ford Deep Blue. Interestingly, the car is powered by a 1098cc Climax, an engine earmarked for the 4/4 'Le Mans Replica' announced in February 1939. Although 24cc less than the standard engine, the cylinder head, valves and other parts were all carefully polished and the crankshaft fully balanced, resulting in the smaller engine being the more powerful. With sales of the Le Mans being less than hoped for ( the Second World War started a few months after the first cars were available), perhaps the 1098cc engines were used in standard cars.

Clearly this has been very much a labour of love, so much so, that we have the pleasure of offering both cars in the hope that they may continue to remain together. A rare opportunity unlikely to be repeated.