-- [ From: Bob Nogueira * EMC.Ver #3.1a ] --
Okay Al, it being Sunday morning and having got all the religion I need from
the list over the past week here are the differences I see between the 4/4
and Plus 4 of the same era ( yes as with churches, the original issue of
your post seems to have been lost)
The Chassis and suspension of the Plus 4 and 4/4 are the same. The cross
members of the chassis may vary a little to suit the engine.
The body of the 4/4 is approximately 2 inches lower than the Plus 4 . The
difference is not in the chassis but the actual body height . The reason for
this, in my opinion, is that Morgan came out with the 4/4 (sereies II ) in
preparation of Standard cutting off its engine supply . With the success of
the and MG, Standard needed a sports car They approached Morgan about
selling out and Morgan refused , At that point Standard started development
of the TR with the intention of driving Morgan out of business. Morgan
thus went back to Ford for engines ( Morgan had used Ford engines in the
three wheelers ). Since the Ford engine had a lot less power, Morgan
decided to market the 4/4 as a " entry level " Morgan at a lower price. (
Also they probably figured that Standard would be selling the new TR at
about the same price as the Plus 4 ) To keep the price down they shaved
cost whereever they could, thus the 4/4 did not have the louvers on the top
of the bonnet , gauges were minimal ( oil ,temp, Speed and fuel). At the
time the Plus 4 had a bustle back
( kind S shaped ) and the fuel tank was under the top hump . Since the
4/4 didn't need as much fuel . a smaller tank could be used and placed lower
. Also to save cost , only one spare tire was offered. With these two
changes there was no need for the bustle back and labor and materials
could be saved by simply placing the back panel directly on the wheel arches
. The body height was lowered to keep the lines all in proportion.
The Plus four engine has pretty much remained the same but the 4/4/ engine
has gone through many stages. When you compare a Plus 4 to a 4/4 it is
necessary to distinguish which to 4/4/ you are comparing.
Generally the following are true of l 4/4 - Plus 4 comparisons
In a 4/4 you sit closer to the floor than a Plus 4 thus a 4/4 is harder
to get into and out of
The dashboard is more " in your lap in a 4/4 than a plus four
The 4/4 has a gear box that has smooth shifting gears but a remote linkage
which can make it feel vague
The Plus four has a lever which goes directly into the box with a very
direct feel, however the design is so old that synchros are there in name
only .
The Plus four with its higher touque engine pulls easily at low speeds in
high gear but does not rev easily like the Ford. while the 4/4 will get
great gas mileage, traveling at more than 65 - 70 MPH can get painful given
the high rev engine. The Plus 4 is at its best traveling at more than 70
MPH. but can feel heavy around town compared to the 4/4.
Parts wise in the US its a wash. Most of the Ford parts are still in
production but in the USA they can be hard too find. . The TR parts are no
longer in production by the factory but the reproduction parts are easily
obtained via MOSS , VB. etc.
Which to buy ? The best one you find. If you have to choose Then go on
the bases of how you plan on using the car. Tooling around town with a
occasional road trip I'd go for the 4/4 . Weekend tours or high speed
trips go with the Plus 4 .
Basically the 4/4 is going to be more like a AH Sprite while the Plus 4
will be the AH 3000 .
Bob Nogueira
PS :
Plus 4's have testosterone and 4/4s have estrogen
Plus 4 's are Clint Eastwood and 4/4's are Allen Alden
Plus 4's are Beer and 4/4's are Tea
Plus 4 drivers like to go fast and 4/4 drivers like to sit around and
philosophize
re
-------- REPLY, Original message follows --------
> Date: Monday, 27-Oct-97 06:34 PM
>
> From: alsie@ulster.net \ Internet: (alsie@ulster.net)
> To: MORGANS \ Internet: (morgans@autox.team.net)
>
> Subject: Help for a neophyte
>
> I am contemplating the purchase of an early 60's or late 50's morgan. Here
are
> some of my questions.
>
> 1. What are the comparative merits/demerits of a 4/4 vs a Plus4.
>
> 2. How do you check the wood for rot?
>
> 3. What other things are particularly important to check.
>
> 4. Does anyone know of any good cars for sale?
>
> Thanks
> Al Mamlet
>
>
-------- REPLY, End of original message --------
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