Lot Ended
Description
Stunning example mechanically rebuilt from stem to stern; electric
start; lots of history; genuine car still with its original engine; seen at
Montlhery in 2017 and lightly used in the UK and France since
The
Morgan 3-wheeler was a common sight on the roads in the 1930s. A step up from
the motorcycle and sidecar, its popularity only diminished when the small car,
principally the Austin Seven, Morris Minor and Ford became sufficiently cheap
thanks to mass production techniques to tempt the public into these more
comfortable offerings.
However this popularity
continued unabated among the more sporting motorist, as their big
twin-cylinder engines provided a performance similar to a
motorcycle, ensuring the 3-wheeler had its place as the “sportsman's”
choice.
This splendid SuperSport, which retains its original engine, was
delivered through Godfreys of Great Portland Street W1 to its first owner and
registered on 5th February 1930. Listed in the Morgan factory chassis records,
and with a copy of the original registration entry on file, chassis M58 retains
its stamped number M58 on the bevel box and as far as we know, the chassis tubes
are original and described by the vendor as being sound and in
excellent condition.
Retaining its two forward speeds - 'fast and
very fast', it first came onto the Morgan 3 Wheeler Club's radar in 1974,
soon to be exported to Sweden where it was exhibited in the Motor Museum in
Gothenburg. It lived there until 2004 having been featured in Engstorm's book
'Morgan Sports Cars in Sweden'. It changed hands several times while overseas
and had several owners in the UK before falling into the vendor's hands in
2015.
Since then, he has lavished a huge amount of attention on
it, using Cameron Engineering to recondition the mechanical elements from front
to back.
The original 50 degree LTOW engine was checked and reconditioned
as necessary. A modern clutch was added to cope with modern traffic and the
bevel box rebuilt with a new crownwheel and pinion, bearings, cross-shaft and
new dogs.
The rear suspension had new swing arm bushes fitted to each
side together with new Hartford shock absorbers. The front wheels and brakes are
correct for the 1929/30 model (prettier than the later Magna wheels) and all
wheels have been rebuilt - the rear getting a new hub, rear sprocket, rear
brake linings, spokes and rim as well as new bearings. The car also has new
chains, tyres and tubes.
It has a dynamo in place (which requires a
drive belt fitting), an electric starter which makes life nice and easy and
the car is on the button and ready to enjoy.
Only for sale due to lack of
room in the shed, the vendor enjoyed some mild demonstrations at Montlhery in
2017 and some gentle running-in perambulations around Worcestershire (where
else!) and France. He has only covered some 150 miles in total, so it will no
doubt respond to some mechanical respect before its available performance is
used once again.
The history file includes some nice period adverts,
notes and details of the repatriation of its original number JW 547 when it came
back to the UK in 2004.
This fine SuperSport completes the box-ticking
exercise, being a proper Vintage two-speeder, having been comprehensively
and professionally overhauled as well as retaining considerable originality.
Ready to go, this is as good as it gets.
Contact [email protected]