2012 Morgan 4/4

Number 7 of just 31 cars built, this Sport Red 75th Anniversary Edition Morgan 4/4 has been in the seller’s hands for the past eighteen months.

Powered by the 2.0-litre Ford Duratec engine rather than the usual 1.6-litre version, ‘CJ07 MOG’ benefits from the winning combination of the 4/4’s smaller size and the Plus 4’s bigger engine, a combination hitherto unavailable.

Its new owner will also get to enjoy upgrades that include 15-inch black wire wheels, a matching vinyl roof and tonneau cover, a matt black bonnet stripe with a 4/4 75th anniversary graphic, a Tawny Ash dashboard, a small cargo net, and a stainless steel chassis crossmember cover.

The combination of 160bhp, a kerb weight of 920kgs, and a decidedly vintage chassis makes this one for the owner who wants their car to do what it’s told, when it’s told to do it – if you’re the sort who relies on anti-lock brakes and chassis stability control to keep you pointed in the right direction, then this probably isn’t for you.

If, however, you’re tired of the nanny state and want to have the purest fun available at a reasonable price, then read on because this one is an absolute belter.

The Sport Red paintwork (colour code M007) looks terrific, doesn’t it? With blemish-free panels and a wonderfully contemporary look to those vintage lines, we think the colour suits the new, more modern mood of this slimline and uprated 4/4 very well.

The matt black stripe that bisects the centre-hinged bonnet, put there by the factory to celebrate the car’s limited edition status, is in great shape too with no peeling or scratches to its finish. It runs from the windscreen all the way to the radiator grille, which has also been finished in black.

The louvres that sit outside the stripe all run straight and true, further proof that this has not been a hard-worked example of the breed.

The front indicator housings are also finished in black, as is the beadings between the panels.

Plus, of course, those gorgeous 15-inch wire wheels, wheels that are not only in fine fettle with only a few small marks on them but also boast matching 185/70VR15 Pirelli Cinturato tyres on all four corners.

The rubber is recent and set a previous owner back a hefty four-figure sum when they were fitted in January 2023 when the odometer read 8,745 miles.

We will never get tired of telling you that experience shows that matching high-quality tyres are an infallible sign of a caring and mechanically sympathetic owner who is prepared to spend the appropriate amount in maintaining their car properly.

The rest of the trim is chrome, a material that works very well on the Morgan. Like everything else, it’s free of any visible patination that might be expected on a car that’s about to celebrate its 13th birthday.

That chromework extends to a very useful luggage rack mounted on the boot, an addition that adds period charm and utility in equal measure.

Other fittings include an aircraft-style alloy fuel filler cap, a high-level third brake light, reversing and fog lamps, and the obligatory union flags.

It also comes with some natty extras like chrome door lock covers and a neat little device from Librands that stops the doors slamming on your shins as you clamber out.

The folding hood is the old-style one with ‘hood up easy levers’ that drop the hood frame down and tension it when the hood is raised – not that you’re ever going to be using it with the hood up, eh?

As for its condition, it is free of rips, scuffs, and loose stitches. It also comes with a new mohair half-tonneau cover that’ll do double duty in protecting the lower half of its occupants on the move while also shielding the cockpit’s contents when it’s parked up – and when you take the (very good) side screens off you’ll be grateful for the new mohair case the seller bought to store them in.

When the Morgan is safely tucked away in your garage you’ll also appreciate the tailored and soft indoor car cover that comes with it.

As for its condition, our assessor reports the following blemishes: a really small scratch on nearside of the bonnet plus a few small marks on the edges of bonnet panels; a couple of small chips and marks on the nearside rear wheelarch; the offside rear wheelarch has some very light scratches and an area of what look like lacquer peel on its bottom edge; minor paint damage around a couple of tonneau cover fasteners; small areas of paint bubbling below both doors; and a couple of small paint scratches on offside front wing.

(That might sound like a lot but we try to be as picky as possible as we know that many of you bid based on the listing.)

If, like most of us, you think your Morgan should be trimmed in black leather and Tawny Ash, then you’re in luck because that’s exactly what this one sports.

It’s also got a wood-rimmed Mota-Lita steering wheel, plus an Allon White leather steering wheel column cowl cover. The speedometer has been moved to the middle too, a netting pocket keeps your belongings in the open glovebox, and chrome bezels set off the white-on-black Smiths instruments.

It’s a great specification – and it’s all in great shape, too.

The front seats are firm and comfortable with only the very gentlest of creasing and they could be three years old rather than 13 years old. They also provide huge lateral support, which is important if you’re going to be exploring the outer reaches of the Morgan’s accomplished chassis.

They recline too, and the beautifully engineered pedals, including a delightful Morgan ‘organ’ pedal for the accelerator, mean that most drivers should be able to get comfortable.

The door cards, headlining, frame, and carpets are all good, as is that Tawny Ash dashboard.

The Morgan also comes with a delightful brown leather suitcase. Supplied by Motoring Classics, it’s still like new and is exactly the sort of thing you’d see the lead character carrying as they step off a steam train in an Agatha Christie film.

Flaws are few: there are some marks and a small tear to the leather next to the seatbelt clips, a scuff on the nearside sill cover, and surface swirls and scratches on the chrome floor beams.

The Morgan’s service history booklet and history file document the following service and routine maintenance work:

• 15.01.2013 and 127 miles – service by Berrybrook
• 01.10.2013 and 322 miles – service by Berrybrook
• 18.11.2015 and 3,603 miles – service by Yealm Motor Services
• 04.11.2016 and 5,420 miles – service by Yealm Motor Services
• 26.10.2017 and 6,514 miles – service by Yealm Motor Services
• 02.11.2017 and 6,516 miles – new rear brake cylinder by Yealm Motor Services
• 16.04.2019 and 7,554 miles – service by Yealm Motor Services
• 30.01.2020 and 8,138 miles – new front brake pads by Yealm Motor Services 22.03.2021 and 8,421 miles – service by Yealm Motor Services
• 31.01.2023 and 8,745 miles – service by Berrybrook
• 20.04.2023 and 9,440 miles – bespoke ECU remap by Williams Automobiles adding 18-20bhp
• 17.04.2024 and 10,656 miles – service by The Village Garage

That’s a healthy list, isn’t it?

The 2.0-litre Ford Duratec engine delivers 142bhp and 140lb.ft of torque, enough to propel the 4/4 to 62 mph in 7.2 seconds on its way to a top speed of almost two miles a minute.

And those performance figures are with a standard engine, and you’ll recall that this one has been tuned with an extra 18-20bhp. A bespoke map, the aim of which was to add “better revs and efficiency”, we’d be surprised if the figures you see above won’t be improved alongside better driveability.

Certainly, our brief test drive revealed that it drives as it should, and the seller tells us that it has always “started on the button”.

You can see for yourselves that it starts very well, even from cold. It also quickly settles into a steady idle with good oil pressure, and revs beautifully.

The engine makes all the right noises and none of the wrong, and the exhaust note will have you seeking tunnels to rag it through at the 6,500rpm redline.

The engine and underbonnet area are nicely presented. Access is, as you can see, on an epic scale and if you ever find you need even more then removing the bonnet completely would be a doddle.

As for the underside, it looks as clean and well-preserved as you’d expect of a car that’s covered so few miles and will almost certainly have seen little, if any, winter use.

The Morgan’s MoT certificate is valid until February 2026 and it probably won’t surprise you to hear that this one, like so many before, was issued with no advisories.

The recent Vehicle History Check is clear, and the Morgan comes with four keys, the Owner’s Handbook, a Certificate of Conformity, and a bunch of invoices to confirm the work that’s been done on it over the years.

Oh, and the highly appropriate numberplate ‘CJ07 MOG’ will stay with the car. That’s pretty cool, isn’t it?

We’re big fans of the 4/4 because we think the Ford engine suits the Morgan very well. Sure, it hasn’t got a V8-whoofle, but it revs and goes even better than the Rover-engined versions, so the slight loss of aural stimulation is a price worth paying.

This one is especially appealing and not just because it’s one of the sought-after 75th Anniversary cars. Sure, that adds another layer of desirability but the fact this one has been so pampered, in both maintenance and the addition of a few choice extras, mean every trip will be slightly better than it would otherwise have been.

All-in-all, if you’ve been looking for a Morgan and have the wherewithal to bid there’s simply no reason not to buy it.

As for how much you’ll need, we estimate the virtual hammer will fall somewhere between £25,000 and £30,000 – and given the Morgan’s reputation for strong residuals, you might find you get most of that back when the time comes to let it go.

Assuming, of course, that you can bear to let it go in the first place…

Viewing is strongly encouraged, and this lot is located at Bonhams|Cars Online HQ. Viewings are STRICTLY BY APPOINTMENT and we are open weekdays between 10am - 12pm or 2pm - 4pm. To make a booking, please use the ‘Enquire About This Vehicle’ button on the listing. Feel free to ask any questions, or try our ‘Frequently Asked Questions’.