First, there are two variants of Flat Rads. The Series 1 4/4 cars and the later Plus 4 cars.
The Series 1 4/4 cars come with two different motors. Most Pre-War cars are Coventry Climax powered, but not all. There were some 40 or so Pre War Series 1 Cars with the Standard Special Motor. The Standard Special Motor (slightly larger than 1L) replaced the Coventry Climax motor at the MMC (so most cars later than 1939 most likely will have the Standard Special motor.) and the Standard Special motor was the motor Morgan used up until the Plus 4 car (Around 1950 or so).
This Standard Special motor (slightly larger than 1L) was replaced by the Standard Vanguard motor (about 2L) in the Flat Rad Plus 4. This motor evolved into the TR2/3/4 motors.
The Ford motors were not in a Flat Rad Morgan rather they were in the later cowled Rad Morgans. Starting with the 4/4 Series 2.
I have had all three motors in my Flat Rads. The Coventry Climax in a 1939 2 Seater Series 1 4/4 (now sold), the Standard Special in the 1938 Series 1 4/4 DHC (still own), and a TR3a motor in a 1951 Plus 4 (this car originally had a Standard Vanguard motor but it was upgraded to a TR3a in 1990.). (Note: As I understand it, Standard Motors bought Triumph Motors, but eventually used the Triumph name for their sports cars.)
I have also had the Ford 1600 Cross Flow Kent motor in my cowled rad 1981 4/4.
Of the Flat Rad cars, the one with the Standard/TR motor is best. The most usable. Get a Plus 4!!
The Series 1 4/4s are only somewhat usable (best cruising at 50-60 mph) but in my opinion the Standard Special car is the best.
The Ford Engined Kent Crossflow is by far the best of all. The most modern, the most powerful and as was said, very easy to live with. However, it is not a Flat Rad.
Cheers,
Mark
