Talk Morgan Forums Morgan Sports Cars Classic Morgans (pre-CX) Narrow Body / Wide Body

Thats certainly how it reads in the dealer notice and the 1998 sales brochure. The dealer notice which came from Richard (Aus) is reproduced in the appendix. It's a very interesting document which draws a clear line in the sand. Initially I assumed that the superform wings and stainless bulkhead came at the same time, but after discussing the changes at the factory with those who were there, it was possible to confirm a two stage evolution.
The aluminium wings up to late 1997 were not superform.

It's a shame there isn't a book on the subject currently for sale..

Don't think it would sell Steve !!!

4/4's were still narrow bodied and chassis'd for a while after the long door changes

Simon @ SiFab.co.uk

My car is Long Door, Narrow Body, Steering Rack and Stainless Steel Bulkhead.

From what I'm reading then all 4/4's went to wide bodies and from some date have stayed as wide body. So current 4/4's are wide body???

What is (are) the salient dimension (s) that indicates the Body / Chassis width?

When was that changeover date (year)?

Given that the frame of the body tub sits on the upper flanges of the Z section chassis. I would think it follows that the critical dimension is the distance between the inner vertical faces of the chassis rails. A wider body tub would also require the chassis rails to be more widely spaced to suit.

I don't know what this is on the later/wider cars, but I do know that this dimension on a 1980's era 4/4 is 36".

Bob - you won't find that level of detail. Morgans are not like that!!!!

If the 4/4 started narrower in '97 its very likely that they built narrow 4/4's and wider 4/4's at the same time for a short period. Certainly the 70th Anniversary cars built in 2006 look to be the current style of body, as does the Runabout from 2003.

No, they’re narrow wide bodies.

Thanks Tim,

At last, a dimension I can relate to.

Just been in the garage and measured mine and it's 36"as well.

I think you're right, the body tub must relate to the chassis so now we know the narrow body dimension would someone nip into the garage please and measure a wide body car.

It's not that cold.

Just had a look at the specification tables I put together.

The 4/4 front and rear track increased in 2000.
So 1997 to 2000 was narrow track. From that point, the front track increased by 0.75" and the rear by 0.25".

Coincidentally the Plus 4 ceased production in 2000 for four years, and one might speculate that this also had an impact on 4/4 dimensions. There would likely have been some Plus 4 components left over at that point.