1948 Morgan 4/4 series 1 Roadster

Description

The Morgan Motor Company is arguably the oldest independent automobile company still in existence, still producing sports cars just as it has for more than 100 years. The Morgan 4/4 (first designated 4-4) was introduced in 1935 and was the UK manufacturer’s first ever four-wheeled vehicle after previously producing only motorcycle-engined three-wheelers. Originally a two-seater, a more practical 4/4 four-seat version was introduced in 1937. Initially powered by a 25 kW 1122 cc Coventry Climax four-cylinder engine, when Climax ceased making engines available Morgan switched to a tuned 1267cc Standard Motor Company Ten engine, producing 29 kW. Production was halted during World War II but resumed afterwards as the 4/4. Production halted again in 1950 when supplies of the engine dried up, but resumed in 1955 when a suitable replacement, the 2088cc Standard Vanguard in-line four was found, and has continued ever since. 1955 also marked the introduction of the second-generation car which used the more modern chassis of the Plus-4 model. From this point the updates to production became rampant, with a further three series introduced by 1963. The fifth-series ran until 1968, whereupon it was replaced with the simpler title of 4/4 1600, which lasted until 1993. Still in production today, the Morgan 4/4 model holds the record for the longest continually produced production car in history.