Hey J.D. ,
On 3-22 you asked <What is the difference between the +4 and the 4/4?>
The 4/4 was the first four wheeled Morgan, going all the way back to 1936. 4/4
means "four cylinders/four wheels." When the Plus 4 was introduced it was
named the "Plus" because it was.... nicer. More powerful (at least stock).
Better trimmed. Roomier. Faster (at least stock). Etc., etc. Just nicer all
around, at least in Mr. Morgan's opinion. They were specifically designed to
be upscale and to compete in the US market. I realize that 4/4 aficionados
will take issue with this assessment but I invite anyone to review the period
advertisements as well as other literature and come to a different conclusion.
The first Plus 4's were powered by TR3 engines. Then by the slightly bigger
and more powerful TR4 engines. Then they were out of production for a number
of years, then came the Fiat engines. And finally the Rover 4 cylinder
engines. In my opinion the late 1960's Plus 4's are the nicest although the
early flat rads can be very, very nice indeed, particularly if the engine has
been upgraded to TR4A specs. I sent you the exact dates of all these engine
and model changes in an earlier E-mail some weeks ago.
Another big difference between the 4/4 and Plus 4 is in the trannies and
shifters. The Plus 4 has always had a "proper" transmission and shifter whilst
the earlier 4/4's came with a push/pull shifter that left a whole bunch to be
desired. There is an after market conversion to put the shift lever in a more
traditional position but I don't know how available or how effective they are.
Currently Plus 8's are only available here as two-seaters and I don't recall
the years when 4 seat Plus 8's were made.
Another big advantage of the 1960's Four Seater Plus 4 is: the front seats are
fitted with springs instead of being a pad (albeit, with an air bladder) on a
plywood platform bolted to floorboard.
I still maintain that the mid-sixties Plus 4 is the most forgiving and most
fun sportscar made. (That is to say that there may be cars that are more fun
and there may be cars that are more forgiving, but none have the combination
that beats the Mog.)
I also still believe that if you are seriously going to look for a Morgan you
should start by locating and reading a couple of the books I previously
recommended to you. Otherwise you are liable to wind up with somebody foisting
off a dual spare '69 Plus 4 on you, of which, of course, there ain't none.
--Colin Cobb
'66 Plus 4 & '65 Tiger MK1
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