• Year of manufacture 
    1947
  • Chassis number 
    641
  • Lot number 
    671
  • Drive 
    LHD
  • Condition 
    Used
  • Number of seats 
    2
  • Location
    United Kingdom
  • Exterior colour 
    Other
  • Drivetrain 
    2wd
  • Fuel type 
    Petrol

Description

Property of a deceased's estate
1947 Morgan F4 Roadster Project(see text)
Registration no. BRN 241
Chassis no. 641

H F S Morgan's first three-wheeler of 1910 coincided with an upsurge of interest in cyclecars. Its superior power-to-weight ratio enabled Morgan's humble, three-wheeled cyclecar to outperform many a larger engined four-wheeler, and its maker was not slow to capitalise on his creation's competition potential. A Gold Medal in the 1911 London-Exeter-London Reliability Trial with Morgan himself driving was followed by victory in the inaugural cyclecar race at Brooklands the following year, Harry Martin taking the chequered flag three minutes ahead of the field. Of simple construction with front-mounted motorcycle engine and two-speed chain transmission, the Morgan was light, fast and economical to run.

V-twin engines from a wide variety of manufacturers were employed, though those from J A Prestwich predominated. Competition from small sports cars forced the adoption of a three-speeds-and-reverse gearbox in 1931, the last two-speed model leaving the factory the following year. A more refined version - the F4, with 8hp Ford Model Y four-cylinder power unit - appeared soon after and later would form the basis of the first four-wheeled Morgan. The F4 three-wheeler was last catalogued in 1950.

Sadly, its owner having died, there was little information regarding this incomplete Morgan F4 Roadster. The only documentation consists of an old-style V5 and an old-style continuation logbook, the latter recording that the late owner acquired the Morgan in 1964. The logbook lists the model as F4 but the engine capacity is given as 1,172cc, suggesting that it is in fact an F Super or has had an engine swap. It is hoped that further information will have come to light by time of sale. Nothing is known of the mechanical condition of this car, which accordingly is sold strictly as viewed.


Bonhams 1793
101 New Bond Street
London
W1S 1SR
United Kingdom
Contact Person Kontaktperson
First name 
Bonhams Collectors’ Car department

Phone 
+44-2074685801
Fax 
+44-2074477401