1955 Morgan Plus 4 - Chris Lawrence Engine

The Morgan Plus 4 was the company’s most popular model since its launch in 1950. A versatile and well-balanced sports car, the Plus 4 became a Morgan institution, before being superseded by the all-new Plus Four in 2020.

The delightful Moggie presented here left the factory in early 1955 as an ivory and black-painted standard TR2-engined Plus 4 two-seater. By 1969, it had passed through at least five owners and had changed colour twice, before ending up in Jersey painted in a light blue. It was there that the parents of our vendor’s late husband spotted the car, photographed it and showed it to their 17-year-old son, Paul, who bought it unseen for £100 and arranged to have it shipped to England. On its arrival, after a careful assessment of what might be involved, it was carefully dismantled, the chassis repaired and the Ash frame was painstakingly taken apart and recreated in Oak, all of which took about four years. The front drum brakes were replaced with discs and all the necessary parts were purchased from the Morgan factory for just over £200. In 1977, more power was required, so the engine was shipped to Chris Lawrence in London with the instructions to produce the best engine he could. This resulted in what was effectively a full 'Super Sports'-spec engine with a machined block, matching and balancing the rods and pistons, a gas-flowed head and a racier camshaft. Parts supplied included a four-branch exhaust manifold, a Dell'Orto carburettor kit and inlet manifold and Koni telescopic shock absorbers. Due to Chris Lawrence’s imminent move to the US at this time, it's very likely that the engine in this car is the very last Lawrence Tune Super Sports TR engine ever built.

It was at this juncture that Colin Musgrove Racing (one of the main Morgan restoration and race shops) were asked to help ‘refine’ the car. However, upon close inspection, the repaired chassis was deemed unusable, and a new factory-built chassis was recommended. Unfortunately, the lovingly crafted oak frame was also deemed not fit for purpose (oak is not flexible enough and could split too easily) so a new ash frame would be needed. The car arrived at Musgrove’s in 1981 and was soon built-up into a rolling chassis. At this stage, the car morphed into a four-seater, with V8 Morgan alloy wings and wire wheels. The work was completed in 1989 with further ‘tweaks’ to come, a change to a softer 'Stage 2' rally-spec cam and some added cooling. By 2002, the car was entrusted to Chas Windridge of Mog Sports who got to grips with some of the remaining improvements. A heater was installed, side-screens and door mirrors fitted, plus upgraded headlights and the airflow through the radiator was made more effective. In 2008, the Morgan became a regular member of the Warwickshire Morgan Club, but as the engine was still in a state of tune for racing it was sometimes frustrated at 'tootling' through town traffic and going on scenic runs; Chas Windridge was therefore again commissioned to make tuning and other adjustments.

Looking very stylish in Burgundy, the car was exhibited at the NEC in 2012 and was regularly enjoyed as part of the local Morgan group at drive-outs, and featured at trade events (our vendor's late husband ran a classic car tyre business) and holidays all over the country. This is a unique and special Morgan, which is bound to bring much enjoyment to its next custodian who will appreciate the comprehensive history file that accompanies the car, full of invoices, photos and paperwork, all confirming the time, money and care lavished on this lovely example of Malvern's finest.