Description
This lot will be auctioned via Iconic Auctioneers, The Iconic Sale at the NEC Classic Motor Show 2024 - Cars on Saturday the 9th of November, NEC, Birmingham, B40 1NT. First appearing in public in 1910 at the Olympia Motor Show in London, W. F. S Morgan launched his three wheeler. Based around a tubular-steel chassis frame, the design's low centre of gravity and advanced sliding-pillar independent front suspension endowed it with superb roadholding. The brand soon aimed for the more sporting market and its competition pedigree was cemented when in 1913 it won the Cyclecar Grand Prix at Amiens France with W. G McMinnies at the wheel. This success inspired the launch of a Grand Prix-style model that same year. The new car was the first Morgan with the iconic domed radiator and was based around a lightweight tubular steel chassis equipped with independent ‘sliding pillar’ front suspension. The car featured a single rear wheel driven by twin chains and two-speed gearbox. Progressively developed, the single rear-wheel-driven platform played host to a variety of JAP, Matchless, Blackburne, Anzani and Ford powerplants over the years (though, the prototype used a Peugeot unit). Fearsome competition cars, Morgan three-wheelers driven by the likes of HFS himself, Clive Lones and Harold Beart acquitted themselves well on race circuits and trial stages alike, endearing themselves to the general public.
During 1915, the Factory kept up a limited production of cars whilst concentrating on war work, especially the manufacture of munitions. However, Morgan had enough faith in the future to design new cars and, in 1916, a new Grand Prix model was introduced with a far more streamlined and handsome body than the 1914 racer. It had a 10hp MAG engine and a lengthened chassis and was found to give better road-holding and stability.
The car on offer here is one of those Grand Prix models built by the Morgan Works in 1916 and carries chassis number #2187. Whilst its early history isn’t known, we understand that it was bought by an enthusiast in 1959 from his colleague in Surrey. What followed must surely have broken the record for the most long term restoration in history with the car still not completed by 2007. As this stage, defeat was admitted and the work was entrusted to marque expert, Chris Booth, who undertook a restoration so thorough it largely undid virtually all the previous 48-years efforts. Chris did not tackle this alone, working with another highly respected Morgan man in the shape of Colin Wilson who built the body as an exact replica of a 1916 Grand Prix model.
The car was completed in early 2009 as an absolute period-correct, example of the 1916 GP model, in this case fitted with a water-cooled JAP V-twin and period correct hood. A dating letter from the 3 Wheeler Club in 2007 attests to both its provenance and the quality of the restoration.
The car was sold in 2019 to France, although it didn’t have much time to enjoy the Morgan-friendly French climate before it was acquired by the current enthusiast owner in 2020 and returned to the UK. It's some years since the restoration was completed and this venerable little Morgan has patently been enjoyed since, with the inevitable marks of use, ideal really as it needs to be used. It didn't spend 48 years doing nothing to be returned to a museum.
A history file and a lovely album of photos showing Chris Booth’s restoration accompany the car. A wonderful example, a great piece of history and perfect for the Pioneer Run.
