Talk Morgan Forums Morgan Sports Cars Classic Morgans (pre-CX) 1939 Flat Rad. Should I?

I've been looking at pre-war MGs, PA, PB, TA and its proving hard to find a professionally restored one at the right price. Then a flat rad has come up, something I've never considered. Has anyone got experience of one? Compared to the MGs it looks alot more refined.

I can't imagine the MOG being more refined unless it's the posh model with proper doors?
Nick

Talk to Buybritish he has one.

Yes it has two 😀

thanks 👍

Glenn

If you you do all your own maintenance on your M3W and the Jeep, then the pre-war 4/4 Series 1 should have no greater challenges (except perhaps for availability of parts and spares). If you need to use a Morgan service agent I would comment that you should select carefully , not all agents are well versed in these early 4 wheelers. They use a lot of fittings which are getting on a bit, and many mechanics do not even possess the correct spanners!

The 1939 car would be a Standard Special engine I think, which is fine, not sure if the gearbox is Moss or Meadows , but either way there are specialists around like JB Sports Engineering, who are very good (and can look after the rear axle as well)

As ever it will be the condition of the car which should answer whether it is a good idea. If it has been "restored" you need to know who did the restoration , when , and what parts did they replace , and which did they leave as original.

There are many experts on these early models Bill Hughes, John Merton (in Oz) to name but 2, I would ensure that you talk with them about anything that puzzles you.

Andy. Thanks for your reply. Yes I'm quite happy fettling and doing basic maintenance on my cars. I've been though a lot of classics and enjoy sorting out issues and tracking down elusive parts. It'll be a summer day only drive and well cared for. It has a Climax engine and Moss box by George Proudfoot. It appears all aspects of the vehicle have been restored professionally and correctly. Having never considered one before it's grown on me a lot. I just need to make space for it!

see video of our 4/4 pm message sent to you Glenn

I had a 1939 S1 4/4 2 Seater (Chassis 820). The engine is a Coventry Climax, not a Standard Special, which in my opinion is more challenging to maintain. It is my understanding that the Standard Special engine was tested prior to WWII (1938) but not put into production until after the war. I had issues with air - fuel mixture, a bogged drive shaft, excessive oil flow due to oil lines without wicks (to inhibit oil flow.) It took George Proudfoot to sort mine out. (Yes, he flew to the US and stayed at my place for a week.)

I sold it (2007) and it went back to the UK to compete in trials somewhere?? I now have a 1938 S1 4/4 DHC (Chassis 500/600), with the Standard Special engine. (This car was the factory hack that tested the Standard Special engine in 1938!)

Really no maintenance, other than lube. I did have a cracked headlight lens, but it was easily corrected. It sits in the garage as art! I don't drive it much as it is too small for me and a bit too slow for US roads.

Easy to source parts, etc.

I very much enjoy the Series 1 Morgans but they are a rare breed (at least in the US). Probably rarer than the Morgan trikes. I only know of 6 others in the Eastern part of the US.

If you can get the car for a decent price, I would think it will be rewarding and quite enjoyable.

Cheers,
Mark

Standard Special engines were used in pre war cars....