2002 Morgan 4/4 Convertible

This dynamic apogee reached by the 4/4 in 1.8L Zetec “black top” guise was clearly not lost on late owner and sole keeper, Paul. Paul was a Coventry based doctor and, reportedly, somewhat of a car and motoring enthusiast. By 2002 he found himself in the position to be able to place an order for a brand-new Morgan 4/4 with long-standing dealership Melvyn Rutter of Hertfordshire.

Diligently kept paperwork shows that Paul specified a Connaught Green car with special order Muirhead Ocean Green leather upholstery. A number of other well-chosen factory options were specified including chromed wire wheels, walnut dashboard, some extra areas of interior leather trim and a piped, vinyl spare wheel cover. At a slightly later point Paul had the delightful Mota-Lita steering wheel fitted, together with the chromed, external tax disk holder.

Paul lightly used the Morgan, it is fair to say, with the car still only showing 6,631 miles covered to date. Despite this, diligent servicing has been performed and the car’s MoT history is very regular and impressively advisory free. It is only due to the sad passing of Paul that the Morgan is now being offered for sale by his family. 

Given the light use and diligent garaging this Morgan has enjoyed, it may come as no surprise to learn that its presents very well indeed. Its Connaught Green paintwork is thick and evenly applied and the curvy, hand-formed bodywork is devoid of any significant imperfections. A very small stone chip-sized indent was noted on the radiator cowl, but it takes some persistence to spot it.

Whilst the lustrousness of the finish could be further improved with a professional cut and polish, there is nothing fundamentally amiss with the finish of the Morgan. The signature, hand pressed louvres to the bonnet tops and sides help mark this out as the type of Morgan the majority of people would imagine when asked to do so. 

The shapely, long and low bodywork is punctuated with just the right amount chrome brightwork. The vertically slatted radiator grill, headlamp bezels, windscreen surround and wing mirror backs number amongst these. The triple windscreen wiper arrangement, button ended bonnet catches, knurled side screen mounts and handle-esque door catches all contribute to very British, very hand-built persona of this classic sports car.

The hood and side screens have clearly hardly been used with Paul’s sister suggesting that the hood was only ever used on the journey back from the dealership when Paul collected the car in 2002. The condition of both would certainly suggest that with the accompanying, centrally zipped tonneau cover more likely to have been the cover of Paul’s choice.

The optional extra cross-spoked, chromed wire wheels present in a pristine condition all round. These 15-inch items are secured with the obligatory Morgan inscribed central spinners. The matching set of Continental Contact tyres are in a 165/80 configuration. These appear to be the original factory set as all seem to feature an 02 date stamp.

The special-order Muirhead Ocean Green leather upholstery looks as good as you would expect in a well-cared for 6,000-mile car. The narrow, yet supportive sports seats are arranged into vertical box pleats with a generous slug of supportive padding under the thighs. Neither seat is marked in any way, and they work with the identically dressed centre tunnel and high, padded sill panels to create a luxurious and cosseting environment for its occupants.

The dashboard fascia is finished with a high gloss walnut veneer which adds to the luxurious ambiance. The Morgan inscribed, white on black VDO gauges are set into a leather dressed panel in the fascia, directly ahead of the driver. The speedometer and tachometer are separated by a vertical column of warning lights. A cluster of four supplemental gauges are situated in the centre of the facia and monitor all other variables of the car’s operation.

The retro-fitted, alloy framed, wood rimmed Mota-Lita 15-inch steering wheel takes pride of place in the evocative cabin. The alloy boss is fitted with the correct Morgan central emblem and the varnished wooden rim adds a further sense of occasion and drama to every journey. A carpeted area behind the seats provides useful storage for side screens and tonneau when not in use as well as for minimal luggage and general paraphernalia.

The overall condition of this characterful and beautifully crafted cabin can be considered as excellent throughout.

This 4/4 features the popular and reliable 1.8L Ford Zetec R engine. This four cylinder, 16-valve double overhead camshaft unit is a ubiquitous, well supported, and well-liked unit. Originally rated at 114bhp and 118Ib-ft of torque in this application, this proved sufficient to endow the 1000kg 4/4 with a 0-60mph time in the low eights. Power is fed to the rear wheels via a five-speed manual gearbox.

Another signature feature of the four wheeled Morgans is the centre hinged bonnet which allows one or both of the twin bonnet panels to be opened at once. This approach harks back to the car’s design origins in the mid 1930s but also, on a practical level, provides excellent access to the engine and peripherals. It is momentarily disconcerting to find the modern looking “black topped” Zetec unit under the long, hand-crafted bonnet. Herein lies the charm on the post ’93 4/4, however. These modern, economical, and reliable underpinnings help deliver a truly unique driving experience when pared with the period aesthetic of a sports car from a gentler time.

The under-bonnet presentation is excellent with no issues to bring to your attention. All expected data plates appear present and correct, and surfaces appear clean and free from any unexpected oil or fluid residues. During our visit the Morgan started instantly, was soon ticking over free from automatic choke control, and sounded sweet and harmonious.

When Paul ordered the 4/4, he also specified the undersealing option at a very reasonable £140 premium. This, combined with the car’s low mileage and diligent storage makes for a very presentable underside. No areas of issue or concern were noted and none have ever featured in the MoT history.

This Morgan 4/4 comes with a nice archive of paperwork which helps underscore its remarkable one owner, low use history. This includes the V5 registration document as pictured. The current MoT is an advisory free test and is valid until September 2024. The online MoT history showcases the excellent history of advisory free passes achieved by this car.

Other key paperwork includes various correspondence from during the ordering and specifying process together with some accompanying Morgan factory documents. There are also a number of invoices relating to MoTs, servicing, and maintenance. The most recent service was undertaken in July 2023, less than a dozen miles ago.

No car remains in production for over 80 years, without fundamental change, unless it is pretty special to start with. The 4/4, that for many would prove the gateway model that enabled subsequent serial Morgan ownership, managed to neatly encapsulate the quintessential DNA of the enduring Morgan brand. What is it? Most likely it represents different facets to different folks. What is more certain, however, is those that have sampled it first-hand are rarely unmoved or uninspired by the encounter.

We estimate that this fine one-owner, low mileage example will sell for £25,000-£30,000.

Viewing is strongly encouraged, and this lot is located with the vendor in Coventry, West Midlands. Viewings are strictly by appointment. To make a booking, please use the Contact Seller button at the top of the listing. Feel free to ask any questions or make observations in the comments section below, and read our ‘Frequently Asked Questions’.