2017 Morgan Plus 8 Super Sports

In 2014 Morgan launched a limited edition “Speedster” version of the new Plus 8. With production slated at 60……roughly (always a useful caveat for Morgan’s specials), this amazing looking model was conceived to mark 100 years of production at Morgan’s Pickersleigh Road factory. The Speedster is gloriously “pared back” with the standard windscreen being replaced by a raked Perspex aero screen. The standard car’s bumpers and hood are eschewed also, and a pair of black tubular roll hoops nestle discreetly behind the headrests. The addition of “TOW” decals and white number roundels underscore the car’s distinctly competition look. 

This fine-looking example left Malvern in September 2015. The car was specified in standard six-speed manual configuration but some valuable extras’ boxes were ticked, too. This includes the side-exit exhausts (£1680); the glorious 18in Speedster alloys, designed to look like steel wheels (£1920) and the aforementioned decals and roundels. 

The first owner retained the Morgan for around three years, covering around 11,000 miles in that time and commissioning two services in their tenure at 7,008 and 10,042 miles. The second owner acquired the Morgan in August 2018, keeping it for a year. Around a further 1,200 miles were added to the total during this ownership and a third service commissioned at 11,111 miles. 

Current owner, Robert, acquired the Morgan in October 2019. Just prior to him taking ownership the Morgan underwent its fourth service with supplying dealers Krazy Horse at 12,235 miles. Since that time the Speedster has been remarkably lightly used recoding a mere 13,631 miles on the day of our shoot. Robert notes that the Morgan has been in storage for the last eight months or so and, as such, may benefit from another service in order to fully refresh the car for road trips yet to be taken. 

The combination of this car’s sublime stripped down Speedster configuration and its eye-catching Kingfisher Blue paintwork make this a guaranteed head turner and crowd pleaser. The front aspect of the Speedster is particularly pleasing. The familiar arch-topped grill with its vertically chromed slats is infilled with a black painted steel mesh. On to this is stencilled a large “8” in white. A yellow painted line describes the periphery of the radiator cowl and contrasts strikingly with the blue livery. A pair of large, yellow lensed driving lights accompany the headlights. A badge bar and yellow “TOW” decal complete the look. 

The long bonnet with its hand cut louvres stretches back from the radiator, drawing the eye to the low, raked and shaped Perspex aero screen. The rear aspect of the Speedster is familiar Morgan fare with a sloped and louvered rear valance with a chromed tubular luggage rack fitted above it. What is less familiar, however, and a differentiator for the Speedster are the black finished roll over hoops and the second “TOW” decal. 

In side profile, the twin exhausts exiting from under each running board immediately catch the eye and the low doors, unadorned by external handles, contribute to the pared back look. The 18-inch alloy wheels feature 15 circular cut outs helping to ape the look of vintage steel racing items. These present in good condition with only a few small marks on the fronts. A quality set of staggered Continental tyres are fitted with 225/40s at the front and 245/40s at the rear. 

A minimal shaped tonneau cover protects the behind seat storage from the worst ravages of the weather and from prying eyes. A full, fitted tonneau is also provided which is centrally zipped for use when travelling one up. This was purchased by the vendor shortly after the vehicle was brought.

The dark grey finished and fitted cabin exudes a serious sports car persona, with the bar set immediately high by the beautiful, high backed and deep sided leather sports seats. These are double stitched into a series of horizontal, padded box pleats to aid support and comfort. Both seats are electrically heated. A padded and leather trimmed transmission tunnel separates the seats, and the side panels and door cards are similarly finished. Elasticated map pockets feature in the latter and very useful chromed door stays are fitted. 

The dashboard layout of the Speedster provided an early preview of the later CX generation Morgans. This consists of the main VDO gauges, switchgear and warning lights occupying a panel in the centre of the dashboard. Directly ahead of the driver are a smaller pair of gauges monitoring water temperature and fuel level. These sit directly behind a small and chunky, leather rimmed, alloy spoked Mota-Lita steering wheel. 

The carpets are finished in black, and storage is provided by a small, carpeted shelf behind the seats. Elasticated netting pockets are also provided here for odds and ends. Once this area is filled any further paraphernalia is destined for the luggage rack. 

The big BMW V8 engine musters its considerable, naturally aspirated 4,799cc to produce an impressive 362bhp at 6,300 rpm. A whopping peak of 370 lb-ft of torque arrives at a sensible 3,600 rpm. In this example power is fed to the rear wheels, unfettered by traction control, via a BMW group six-speed manual gearbox. In a car with a kerb weight of probably around 1,100 kgs, that could be classified as “more than enough” for most. Indeed, it offers a sub five second 0-60 mph time and a top speed more than twice what’s legally permissible on the UK’s motorways. 

Lifting both sides of the centrally hinged, hand crafted bonnet reveals a sight that is more business like that aesthetically pleasing. From the bulkhead forward about a third of the engine bay is given over to the structure of the footwells. The big V8 sits surprisingly far forward and is powerful and sounds great but is nothing that exciting to look at. Given this car’s light use and low mileage, however, everything here is clean, straight and in order. 

The underside of the car looks in fine fettle too. Those side exiting exhausts are marvellous, of course, and deliver a growly, crackling resonance from the V8 which can give one goosebumps. 

Being relatively young and very lightly used car, the paperwork archive included here is concise but informative. The current V5 registration document is present in the name of the owner. The current advisory free MoT is present in hard copy and is valid until September 2024. A number of earlier MoTs are also on hand. 

The original book pack is present, and the service record documents a 1,000-mile check and four subsequent services at Morgan dealers Krazy Horse and Allon White Sports Cars. The sales invoice for Robert’s purchase of the car from Krazy Horse in 2019 is also on hand. 

The car was serviced by Morgan Brands Hatch main dealer in May 2021. The car had a full service at around 12,200 miles. At this point the new Continental tyres were fitted replacing the original factory option. This provided improved road holding.

When the car was not used during the vendors ownership it spent it’s time in a dehumidified garage provided by In The Garage.

The ethos behind the enduring popularity of Morgans is based on their old-school, untamed driving experience. A rolling, retro-styled reminder of times when a driver had to factor in variables like prevailing weather and road conditions rather than bowling along at ten 10ths, 100% of the time and relying on driver aids to keep you safe. It’s an appeal based on the visceral thrill of knowing that there’s not a mainframe’s worth of computing power keeping you from launching your frisky steed into the scenery. 

In that sense, then, the BMW powered Plus 8 really sits at the apogee of Morgan development. Over 350bhp and a manual six speed gearbox with no traction control or driver aids, in an 1,100 kg 1930’s style Speedster sounds like heaven to us. If you agree then this fine example will serve you better than any other we currently know of. 

We are happy to offer this car for auction with an estimate in the range of £70,000 - £90,000.

Viewing is strongly encouraged, and this lot is located at Bonhams|Cars Online HQ. Viewings are STRICTLY BY APPOINTMENT and we are open weekdays between 10am- 12pm or 2pm-4pm. To make a booking, please use the Contact Seller button at the top of the listing. Feel free to ask any questions or make observations in the comments section below, and read our ‘Frequently Asked Questions’.