Talk Morgan Forums Morgan Sports Cars Classic Morgans (pre-CX) 1974 Morgan 4/4...worth looking at?

Hi,
I've been off the site for a while due to the arrival of our first grandchildren (two within 6 months of each other). I was informed of this one through the Morgan car search facility and wondered what peoples opinions are. I'm 250 miles away from Bristol so would like any concerns discovered before I go and view.

https://www.williamsautomobiles.com/current-stock/10745706-morgan-4-4-tourer/

Looks clean underneath but I've spotted what may be a couple of rust holes in the front chassis adjacent to the master cylinder. No pics of the rear of the chassis (suspicious?) but I've asked for some.
I'm looking for something to tinker with and improve without needing lots of bodywork work (I don't weld) and this looks like it needs just a little TLC. And pre '75 to maintain tax exempt status. I've just finished restoring a 1968 MGB and need another challenge (but not too much so!)

That looks to me like it has had a re-trim at some point , the upholstery is much better than the paintwork , and that is unusual.

The underside condition is described as fantastic , and I don't think Williams would make this claim if there were any major issues. The chassis around the master cylinder is normally pretty well coated in oil and grease, and rot is not normally a problem there. Much more important is the bottom flanges of the bulkhead (it is a moisture trap) and the rear cross member. The chassis looks pretty straight and true to my eye , even in places where you do normally observe some minor kinking.

I would ask them to remove the trim so you can see the chassis rails from inside the car.

Take both rear wheels off and look up into the wheel arches, at the condition of the wing where it is bolted onto the wooden arch.

How about this one at New Elms. https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Morgan-4-4-2-seater-Historic-sports-car/293412691798?hash=item4450c25f56:g:uDoAAOSwKAFd6mK1

There is a cheap but nice looking 4 seater at Alon White requiring a new bulkhead but the price reflects this at about 11k here.
It's a little closer to you I believe.

I must admit, if I had the space I'd be very tempted by the Allon White 4/4 - 5 speed box for a start. Reckon the bulkhead could be fixed properly by a good fabricator.

Every thing else seems easily rectified by a competent hobbyist.

This is another I've been watching for a while. Price has dropped by £5K over the last 12 months. I reckon you could throw in a lowball offer and take it away at a bargain price. Some tidy upgrades.

Black 2 seater

My advice for what it’s worth (not a lot :-)) is buy the best one you can afford, buying cheap and doing the work yourself almost inevitably costs more in the long run. And please take someone with you who knows this car and era, there are many kind folk on here who have owned and experienced this model and age of car and I would bet if you covered their travel costs and bought a decent pub lunch you would save hundreds of pounds and most probably end up with pal for life. I say that because Peter Mulberry the owner of Mulfab asked me one day when I was there to drop a wheel spanner off for a customer who lived 5 miles from me. That was a few years ago, he has been a great pal and very supportive over the years and we are currently planning our third Morgan holiday together in as many years.

Good luck with your search but please be aware of the often quoted rule in Morgan buying, these cars choose us not the other way round, we just sign the cheque.

BR
Colin

I would certainly agree with this (although wouldn't tell the Mrs!), however, it does mean an initially lower cost and then the ability to spread the remainder over a longer period. And at the end of a restoration period you know your car VERY well

Looks good, but it's green! Sorry but after my previous two classics being green i'm reluctant to buy another green one. The wife probably wont ride in it as she says the next one must be red!

That's been about for a while. I'm only considering 2 seaters.