Dear all,
I'm looking for a fairly early 4/4 chassis ('36-'60) to form the basis of a special. I know GEE can supply them new but can the club issue a period registration for a 'recreated' car?

Any leads on who to ask and where to look for an existing chassis with v5 would be much appreciated. Many thanks,
Bob

No car club "issues" registrations. They may under certain circumstances support an application to DVLC to get an original registration back, but a special would not be covered by that.

Strictly speaking this would be a Q plate car and this is partially the tale:
Kit cars DVLA

But if you were rebuilding an early 4/4 even with a different engine and gearbox, then it ought to be possible.

Which kind of "early 4/4" are you interested in? The 4/4 Morgans of 1936-1950 were very different from the 4/4s of 1954-1960. Prior to 1950 they were flatrad models with a trunion-tube chassis, and after 1954 they had the styling and chassis basically similar to current 4/4s. The 1954-60 4/4s are cheaper and are amenable to numerous engine/transmission upgrades.

If you are patient you will probably be able to find a 1954-60 4/4 in need of a total restoration. That might be the perfect basis for your special.

We come up against this when registering miniature traction engines. The general rule seems to be that if you can prove that all major parts are new ( chassis, engine, steering, transmission etc) then you will get a current plate ( which you should be able to change to a "Cherished Number") but otherwise, you get a Q plate.
Ian

Interesting...I'd always thought that the "Z" frame chassis was introduced around 1936/37 with the 4-4?

According to Ken Hill, the Z-section chassis was introduced with the F4 of 1933.
It was used for all 4 wheelers.

Yes, all 4/4s use the Z-section frame, except that Morgan 4/4s and +4s prior to 1954 used a trunion tube as the last cross-member on the frame. The rear leaf springs do not have a shackles to attach to the rear, but instead the ends of the leaf springs slide through slots cut through the trunion tubes. Ken Hill's book THE FOUR-WHEELED MORGAN, Vol.1 page 38 shows a good picture of this on a 1950 Earl's Court show car.

I have bought a new chassis frame for my 1953 +4, and I am torn between sawing off the last cross-member and bolting on the old trunion tube, or whether I should simply go with the more modern set-up. Originality vs. Practicality...

Ah.....makes sense now!

If the old trunnion tube is okay I vote for originality. After all yours seems to be a Flat Rad and there are not too many of these in original specification around (personally I wouldn't like to have one with the "wrong" chassis).

Speaking of early chassis. Has anyone had dealings with GEE? I see they advertise new chassis for all types of Morgans.

Good to deal with?