Last classic Morgan rolls off the line

The last ever steel-framed Morgan Classic has rolled off the British car-maker’s Malvern production line in the UK after 84 years of production – and one of them is still available in Australia.

First introduced in 1936 and in production ever since – making it the world’s longest-serving car architecture, a record that’s unlikely to be beaten – Morgan’s steel chassis debuted in the company’s first four-wheeled vehicle, the 4-4.

Since then it has underpinned a range of traditional Morgan models, known as the Morgan Classic range, including the Plus 4, Plus 8, and V6 Roadster.

The final steel chassis car, a Plus 4 70th Edition, has been purchased by a long-time Morgan enthusiast and owner of other historically significant Morgan models.

The last three Morgan Classic cars produced for Australia are yet to be delivered, two of which are spoken for. The final example is a Morgan 4/4 showroom display model that’s available for sale.

The Morgan Classic range has been replaced in the UK and Europe by new CX range (a nomenclature that celebrates the arrival of the new range 110 years after the company was founded in 1909), based on a new all-aluminium chassis and powered by BMW drivetrains.

However, the new Morgan CX line-up released in March 2019 does not currently meet Australian Design Rule requirements and it’s not known when or if it will ever become available here.

Morgan Cars Australia chief Chris Van Wyk says the British car-maker is still investigating whether modifications can be made to allow these Morgans to be
imported into Australia.

“These investigations have been stalled by the current pandemic and factory closures, but will hopefully recommence once the Morgan factory is fully operational,” he said.

The good news is that because four-wheeled Morgan cars are no longer available in Australia, the company has decided to absorb some of the local ADR homologation costs of the iconic Morgan 3 Wheeler, leading to a $20,000 price cut.

“Sales of the unique Morgan 3 Wheeler have been restrained by price,” said Van Wyk. “This has been due to the need to amortise the extensive testing and technical modifications that are required to meet ADRs.

“In light of the discontinuation of the Classic models and the unavailability of the new CX range in Australia, the Morgan factory has consented to ‘write-off’ the remaining ADR homologation surcharge.

“This concession, together with a recent significant improvement in the exchange rate between the Australian dollar and the UK pound, means that the recommended retail price can be reduced dramatically, from the previous $120 000 (before on-road costs) to a much more attractive $99 000 price point.”

Morgan Cars Australia says it is now able to place orders for the Morgan 3 Wheeler before a production start toward the end of this year and delivery in early 2021.

In total, 35,000 four-wheeled Morgan cars with a steel chassis have been made and exported to 65 countries around the world.

“The steel chassis has been fundamental to Morgan’s production for more than eight decades, found beneath the skin of some of the most important and successful models in the company’s history,” said Steve Morris, CEO and Chairman of Morgan Motor Company.

“Its unique driving charm is loved by many and, in fact, demand for steel chassis cars is still strong. However, with the introduction of our CX-Generation platform, which underpins our revolutionary new range of four-wheeled products, the time has come to bid farewell to the steel chassis.

“We are delighted to present this final steel chassis car to a long-standing friend of the factory, who we know will enjoy it alongside his extensive Morgan collection.”