1963 Morgan 4/4 1500 Series V Pre-Crossflow

Offered here is a rather special Morgan that has led an eventful life and is well known in Morgan circles. Privately owned since 2008, XVS 379 is a 4/4 two-seat Series V with a tuned 1,500cc pre-crossflow Ford unit that was rebuilt in the late 1990s for classic rallying using virtually 100% new parts.

After this, the Morgan was subsequently prepared for circuit racing with a powerful Zetec engine fitted in 2000. Results were impressive, with XVS winning the 2000 Morgan Race Series at Silverstone in the seventh and final leg, having achieved fastest laps in class in every round.

The car was then sold and used as road car from 2002 but the call of competition echoed once again and, in 2006, it was converted back to 1,500cc pre-crossflow for classic rallying. At the end of 2006/early 2007 it was professionally prepared by Brands Hatch Morgan for the Classic Marathon in Norway in 2007, netting a remarkable seventh place in a particularly gruelling rally.

Life continued at a fast pace for XSV, becoming 'Miss November' in the Morgan Calendar of 2008, competing in some club events, entered at Gaydon in August 2010 and, on 18th April 2011 was one of only seven cars given the privilege to test the new Donington Circuit and completed some 28 laps.

The specification as it sits today is impressive and includes:

• All-aluminium body and wings
• Ford STR4 OHV 1,498cc
• Twin 40 DCOE Webers, oil cooler
• Close-ratio Ford gearbox
• Ali under-trays, plumbed in fire extinguisher system
• Roll-over bar and full four-point harness
• Previous FIA papers with Historic Passport and more.

With its fascinating provenance and offering access to an array of events, tours and general fast road use, this very cool Morgan is ready for its next lucky owner.