Morgan Plus 4 Roadster, 1954
Morgan Roadster
Morgan Roadster•
•9 views
Chassis No.: P3069
Auction: Monterey 2026
Auction date: August 15, 2026
Lot No.: R41
- Engine: Inline 4-cylinder
- Transmission: Manual
- Exterior: White
- Interior: Black
- Body: Roadster
- 1991cc OHV inline 4-cylinder engine
- Twin SU carburetors
- 4-speed manual transmission
- Leather hood hold-down strap
- Dual rear-mounted spares
- Leather seats
- Wood-rimmed Moto-Lita steering wheel
- Walnut dash
- Bumper guards
- Wire wheels with spinners
To say the Morgan Plus 4 has enduring appeal is an understatement. Unveiling the model in 1950, this most traditional of British car makers still produces an updated version of the Plus 4 to this day. The Plus 4 was intended to broaden Morgan’s appeal, particularly in overseas markets. As such, the Plus 4 moniker was something of a mission statement, for among the pluses were a bigger, more powerful engine, longer chassis, wider track, and a major step up in performance. The 1954 model added a further plus: In addition to the curved radiator cowl, it introduced the option of Triumph’s 1991cc OHV inline-4, as on this example, and it makes a big difference.
Producing 90 HP, it was a major uplift from the 68 HP output of the base Standard Vanguard engine and a quantum leap over the 4/4 model’s 38 HP. In the heavier Triumph TR2, the 1991cc motor returned a top speed in excess of 100 MPH in a road test by The Motor. The lighter Morgan astonished the same magazine with its “vivid performance” (the Plus 4’s speedometer runs to 110 MPH, the rev counter to 6,000 RPM). The Triumph-powered model found favor with sporting drivers, both on road and race track, and far outsold the concurrent, less powerful Standard-engined model.
As a roadster model, this left-hand-drive Plus 4 features the fold-flat windshield for a full sensory experience when touring—and even more so when racing. Another signature on this 1954 Triumph-powered Plus 4 is the dual rear-mounted spare wheels, which were reduced to one after 1954. The higher-mounted, semi-faired-in headlamp pods, introduced in 1953, also provide better illumination. The quick-release wire wheels seen here were a factory option favored by sporting enthusiasts, both for appearance and reduced unsprung weight. Though not a standard factory fit, many owners fitted leather hood restraint straps for extra security.
Standard body colors included black, green, blue and red, with colors such as this Ivory White available for an extra £5. Unlike the contemporary and far more common MG TF, the rather more select Morgan Plus 4 was bespoke and hand built, and in an altogether higher price and performance bracket. Without it, Morgan wouldn’t be where it is today.
https://www.mecum.com/lots/1174084/1954-morgan-plus-4-roadster
