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Jun 14th, 2026
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Talk Morgan Enthusiast
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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.
Thanks Dave, How did they increase the front track? Cross head, wheel offset or stub axle length? Or should I stop asking questions now?
Last edited by IvorMog; 18/01/18 07:50 PM.
Bob
2009 Black Roadster
1999 4/4 2 litre Zetec
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Probably a wider crosshead frame. The stubs have stayed almost the same over that period, but were altered around 2006 to reduce bump steer.
The rear axle may have been slightly wider. I should remember when it changed from Salisbury to BTR but my brain isn't what it once as.
Keep asking the questions Bob, but don't expect sensible answers all the time...................
DaveW
'05 Red Roadster S1
'16 Yellow (Not the only) Narrow AR GDI Plus 4
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Was the Plus 4 discontinued because the 4/4 engine at the time was 1.8 litre (insufficient diference to the 2.0 litre) and then was reintroduced when the 1.6 litre 4/4 came into production?
Peter ![[Linked Image]](http://bradley.it/public_images/drive.jpg)
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So far I know the Plus 4 Duratec was built for some years side by side with the 1,8 4/4. I could chose in 2005 between a Roadster and a 2.0 Duratec Plus 4. The 4/4 1,6 Sigma was launched in 2008 I think.
The 2006 70th anniversary 4/4 was a 1,8.
Last edited by Heinz; 18/01/18 08:51 PM.
'14 4/4 graphite grey
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Michael Palmers book, "Morgan 4/4 The First 75 Years" does give some insight into the model changes right up to 2008 which was the last of the Duratecs. After that it was the 1.6 Sigma engine.
He also gives quite detailed spec sheets for all the models from Series 1 to the final Duratec 1800's
However some of the information doesn't seem to stack up for example he doesn't show a track increase in 2000 ref Dave's post so I think it might be a bit generic to rely on for the detail we are seeking.
Mind you, when I was just getting into all this when I bought my car a year ago it did make very interesting reading.
Bob
2009 Black Roadster
1999 4/4 2 litre Zetec
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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)? 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. I could be wrong (wouldn't be rare) but I think my 2003 4/4 runabout was narrower ..... I'm sure the rear wheel arches were slimmer than my current 4/4 Nick
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Nick, I think this only happened because the BTR axle which came in use later on is noticable wider. My 2014 4/4 looks trapezoid because the rear is wider but the front has not changed.
'14 4/4 graphite grey
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Was the Plus 4 discontinued because the 4/4 engine at the time was 1.8 litre (insufficient diference to the 2.0 litre) and then was reintroduced when the 1.6 litre 4/4 came into production? The end of the Rover T16 ended the Plus 4 in 2000, but my theory is also that the factory were concentrating on sorting the Aero 8 and so the Plus 4 was left on the shelf for a while.
DaveW
'05 Red Roadster S1
'16 Yellow (Not the only) Narrow AR GDI Plus 4
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If they should run out of Sigma engines for the 4/4 please buy in the 1,5 MX5 engine and not such an awful Turbo something from Ford or BMW 3 Zyl.
'14 4/4 graphite grey
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Talk Morgan Sage
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Was the Plus 4 discontinued because the 4/4 engine at the time was 1.8 litre (insufficient diference to the 2.0 litre) and then was reintroduced when the 1.6 litre 4/4 came into production? The end of the Rover T16 ended the Plus 4 in 2000, but my theory is also that the factory were concentrating on sorting the Aero 8 and so the Plus 4 was left on the shelf for a while. That would be correct to the best of my knowledge, Dave. One of the reasons cash flow was so tight that they ran the sell & buy back lease on the premises it appears.. But it's back now, so all is well.
Steve
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