75 years of the Morgan 4/4

The 4/4 is a seminal model in Morgan’s history, because when it first appeared back in 1936 it was the company’s first four-wheel car.

Still going strong, albeit with a multitude of changes and many different engines along the way, the 4/4 75th Anniversary Edition has now been created to celebrate its remarkable longevity.

Morgan 4/4 75th Anniversary Edition (2012) Rear Side
2012 Morgan 4/4 75th Anniversary Edition. Scroll down for more images.

Available in a choice of Sport Black, Sport Red or Old English White, the paintwork is complemented by a black hood and black 15-inch wire wheels. There are also matt black bonnet stripes with ‘4/4’ and ‘75’ motifs, although these look a bit incongruous and whether they will appeal to Morgan traditionalists remains to be seen.

On the inside, black leather upholstery and matching carpets come as standard, while the dashboard is polished tawny ash. Completing the interior package is a wood-rimmed Moto-Lita steering wheel.

But the enhancements for the special version aren’t only cosmetic, as it also features the larger-capacity 2.0 Ford engine from the Plus 4, instead of the usual 1.6 litre unit.

This upgrade means the 4/4 75th Anniversary Edition can boast 143 bhp (106 Nm / 145 PS) and 187 Nm (140 lb/ft) of peak torque. With a dry weight of just 920 kg (2,028 lbs), that’s enough for a 0-62 mph (100 km/h) time of 7.2 seconds, although the 1930s aerodynamics restrict top speed to a fairly modest 118 mph (189 km/h).

Efficiency is certainly right up to date though, and combined cycle fuel consumption is a very respectable 39.0 mpg (7.2 l/100km). Likewise, CO2 emissions are 162 g/km - a figure that actually betters the current 1.8 litre Mazda MX-5.

The Morgan 4/4 75th Anniversary Edition is priced at £38,750 in the UK, which includes VAT but excludes on the road charges.

Morgan 4/4 75th Anniversary Edition (2012) Front SideMorgan 4/4 75th Anniversary Edition (2012) Bonnet Stripes Detail

Morgan 4/4 75th Anniversary Edition (2012) DashboardMorgan 4/4 75th Anniversary Edition (2012) Side

Related post:
Morgan Threewheeler

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