Talk Morgan Forums Morgan Sports Cars Classic Morgans (pre-CX) 4-seater models

Changes in family posture require consideration of a 4-seater
Can anyone enlighten me about the later models, including their engine setup?

I am specifically looking for details on the +4 (GDI) 4-seaters:
- When were they built?
- What are their strengths and weaknesses?
- What are your thoughts on the 4-seater Morgans?
- Where can I find one?

Hi Robert, as a 1990 4/4 4-seater owner I can tell you that we used our Morgan with the extra passengers very seldom. We bought it as the kids were very young at that time, but it is not nice to sit in the back for longer trips. Maybe in the latter versions that is different!? Great advantage for us was always the extra luggage space while traveling. We now own a PlusFour too since this year, and that means that we are more limited in taking our luggage with us.
I know that the most recent 4-seaters were as Plus4 or Roadster. They are more attractive (my opinion) than the 4-seater which was shortly build between 1999 and 2001 (I thought that was a 4/4?).

4 seater are like hen's teeth. They are so practical that owners are reluctent to sell.

I would always buy a Morgan from a Dealer, to ensure you are getting dealer's cover.

We have owned our 4 seater for 15+ years. Like Ruut, we bought when our son was young. It worked well the three of us for trips aways such as Classic Le Mans.

It is a 1989 model, and is a 4/4 with a Ford CVH engine. The parts are plentful, although becoming rarer to find. example https://www.carandclassic.com/car/C1584409

As with the car owned by Ruut, the rear seat sits higher than front seats, which is fine for children. I do carry four 6ft males on short journeys from our campsite to Le Mans, but this is only practical for short distances.

The car is ideal for camping trips (if you need extra space you easily remove the rear seats), supermarket shopping, or to carry suitcases etc.

the most recent 4-seaters were as Plus4 or Roadster models. These are larger, with proper rear seats (those made before 1999 where beach seats), example https://www.carandclassic.com/car/C1607177

A couple of hen's teeth for sale at New Elms. A'97 4/4 and an '06 Roadster https://www.newelms.com/car-sales/ No connection.

Several around the dealerships too. https://dealers.morgan-motor.com/preowned-cars/?_preowned_model=roadster Change the Roaster tab to see other models.

We bought a brand new four seater in 2008 and did some serious touring in it never let us down and a huge amount of space, the rear passengers sit a little higher and you will get smacked in the kisser. Ours was the duratec 2lt a peach of an engine. You have to take care with four adults didn't really feel that safe if I'm honest going into corners. Lots and lots of Photos taken in 2012 when we drove the track three times at the Le mans classic with the VIP drive. One of my passengers was a BMW racer and invited us back to his stand for some hospitality. Great memories and a lovely touring car get a Duratec if you can the roof is much better as well. Em

I upgraded the shockers and there was a mod regarding the rear springs but because we were always two up and the dog so left them as it was. Just be aware a test drive is a must and when you remove the rear head restraints the seats fold completely flat. 12 cases of wine is easily doable.......Em

Hi own a 4/4 4 seater 1999 Ford Zetec silver top engine had it 8years now and we love it .Great for touring when just the 2 of us (never used luggage rack)and still able to take grand children out for days out (which was reason for wanting four seats) Took about 18 months to find one we have once I looked more into them and wanted proper seats and seat belts in back stainless bulkhead ect and these were made starting 1999.Hood is not a quick job to put up but after a couple of Goes have it down to a fine art now and looking neat when folded down .Have covered about 30000 miles now and both myself and wife enjoy this model very much as do grandsons .Good luck in your seach.

Love my 4 seater

I can thoroughly recommend the 4 seaters from 2005 onwards

The first 4 seaters with proper individual seats with 3 point seatbelts were in 1999 up to around 2004. They were all 4/4's with a silver top and later a black top 1.8 Zetec engine. I had a year 2000 one for about 3 years which I thoroughly enjoyed and put 15 thousand miles on but there were a 3 things that made me hanker after a later newer shape, post 2005 one

1. the shape of the hood. The 1999 version had an awkward sqaure back to the hood whch I always thought made the car look too short and 'cut off' with the hood up
2. power - I drove a friends Plus 4 and then another friends Roadster 4 seater and loved the oomph and the popping sports exhaust!!. My 2000 Mog had a sports exhaust but it never popped into life quite like the newer ones
3. extra boot space and the good looks of the longer rear end - the post 2005 one have extra boot space and the elegant rear end with the curved hood, I think is the nicest looking Morgan ever. but I would say that as I'm biased!

The later 4 seaters don't come up for sale too often mainly because they only made 1 a week on average from 2005 to 2017. when they announced they were ending the 4 seater (because of ISOFIX and compliance regs on 4 seater cars) they took quite a few orders and from what I've been told they ended the production making 3-4 in the last few weeks. Many to the export market. Europe (particualrly Germany) and even over to China. The Chinese dealer at the time had 3 4 seaters in their showroom when it opened!

For the post 2005 ones, the chassis, suspension (other than the rear leaf springs),engines are all the same as their equivalent 2 seaters so no real additional issues over the standard Plus4's and Roadsters over the same time period

The only issue that I've heard reported that is unique to the 4 seater is the rear leaf springs. I've not had an issue at all on mine but a couple of owners have had to swap them out with stiffer ones. The rear leaf springs used to be stiffer in the older 4 seaters for obvious reasons but I wonder if Morgan didn't put in a stiff enough spring in the later models or whether it was a batch that couldn't cope with the extra weight

the only main differences to their 2 seater counterpart are in the ash frame and body from the drivers door back and off course the hood and side screens

The hood is a two person job. I have done it on my own once, but it was a bit of a struggle because it won't fold if slightly twisted, but a breeze when when you have two poeple, one at each side helping

My hood is very good, completely watertight and I've been in some really heavy downpours.

There is pleanty of space in the rear seats for an aldult. I've toured Northumbria with 4 adults in the car and it performed superbly. The rear seats are sufficiently low enough for adults not to feel overly exposed unlike the pre-1999 bench seats which are precariously high and good for catching flies in the teeth

I have a brand new unused four seater sidescreen bag in black mohair with gold wings embroidary it was an eye watering £380 from memory was going to keep it for the new car but it came with one.£120 plus p and p if anyone is interested. Em

aerotaff, do you remember what the shock mod was?

4 seaters are great.. note that the post 1999 cars won’t be able to fit a car baby seat if that is your requirement from day 1. I have a 1996 +4 4 seater and you get 2 Brittax Evolvas in that but only just, not sure it would fit in a narrow chassis car if you need to fit 2 like me..

My dad has a 2007 Roaster 4 seater, it’s great, great to fold down the seats and you even have a boot! An adult can even fit in the back with the hood up!

Options will depend on budget but all versions have their merits