1974 Morgan Plus Eight

With just four former keepers, this 1974 Morgan Plus 8 stands out as a particularly interesting and rare example of the marque. It was purchased by the late radio DJ John Peel in January 1976 as a gift for his wife, Sheila, to celebrate the birth of their first child, William. Initially used sparingly, the car was returned to the Morgan factory around 1980 for a restoration project after some rot was discovered in the timber framework.

It was during this period that the car underwent a significant transformation. The original red two-seater body was converted into a four-seater, and the paintwork was changed to what is believed to be British Racing Green. The four-seat configuration is thought to make this one of only a handful of converted or factory-built four-seater Plus 8s, adding further rarity and intrigue to its history.

The Morgan remained at the factory until around 1996, which is noted in the history file along with photographs taken before and after with Jon and Sheila Peel, and yet to this day the car has still only covered 27,000 miles.
 

Combining classic pre-war British roadster styling with wide arches and a purposeful stance to match its monster V8 engine.

Starting at the front of probably one of the most recognisable British cars ever produced. The large grille is in excellent condition with no damage to the chrome vertical bars; the chrome bumper and light surrounds are in excellent condition, and there is no damage to the light lenses. The aluminium bonnet fits well, there doesn’t appear to be any damage to the louvers, and it lifts easily from either side, gaining access to the bay.

New aluminium wings were fitted during the restoration, as noted in the paperwork. These fit well and flow nicely down the car to meet the rear quarter panels. There are no noticeable stone chips to mention other than an odd age-related mark and a small scuff on the nearside rear quarter just behind the wheel arch. Both doors align well and open and close correctly. The chrome work for the door handles, mirrors and window frame is all in good order with no tarnishing. The front windscreen is in good order with no noticeable scratches; the removable side windows may have the odd mark, as often seen on plastic windows, but generally these would be considered in excellent condition. The vinyl roof fits like a glove and is free from damage.

In keeping with the lines and flow of the car, the rear quarters flow smoothly down to where the fuel tank follows. All the rear light lenses are free from any splits or cracks, and there is a matching spare wheel in place with a Pirelli tyre fitted.

Fitted with Morgan 15-inch alloy wheels, these are in good condition, finished in silver and shod with a matching set of Pirelli tyres which have a good amount of tread remaining.
 

In addition to the rear seat being fitted during the restoration/conversion, the interior was also retrimmed in black leather. The seats are in excellent condition with just a minor amount of age-related creasing to the front seats, as you would expect for 30 years later.

The leather-topped and fascia dashboard is in excellent condition; all of the instruments are working correctly, and the odometer shows just 27,000 miles. Between the main instruments is a full bank of switchgear controlling wipers, hazards and such like. These switches look to be in good condition and are working correctly. A chunky leather three-spoke steering wheel finishes off the interior, which is in good order and shows minimal signs of age.

The carpets appear in good condition with no signs of excessive use. The transmission tunnel is trimmed in leather to match the seats and is in good condition.
 

Shoehorning a 3.5-litre V8 can’t have been an easy task for the Morgan engineers, but oh, how it was worth the effort!

Firing up without hesitation, the Plus 8 comes to a smooth idle with the distinct tone bubbling from the recognisable V8. The engine runs with no issues reported, and the vendor tells us this has recently been recommissioned by a British marque specialist.

Fitted with a four-speed gearbox, the Morgan pulls strongly through the gears thanks to the lightweight body and huge 3.5-litre V8 combination.

Sitting pretty, the Morgan looks fantastic parked up or on the open road, which is where the handling comes into its own - it is a Morgan after all.

Thanks to the recommissioning, the brakes are working as you would expect, and the car comes to a stop in a straight line with no problems reported by the vendor.
 

The history file for the Morgan included the original owner's manual, the all-important invoice for the restoration carried out at the Morgan factory and dated 30th October 1996, which would be the suggested completion date. There are also some photographs included of the car during and after completion taken with John and Sheila Peel.

The 1974 Morgan Plus 8 is a lightweight, hand-built British sports car combining classic 1930s-inspired styling with potent V8 performance. Powered by a Rover-sourced 3.5-litre aluminium V8 and paired with a manual gearbox, it delivers strong acceleration and a raw, engaging driving experience.

Built on Morgan’s traditional ash frame and steel chassis, the car was converted by Morgan at the request of John Peel to become a four-seater, which are very few and far between. With just 27,000 miles covered, we estimate it will cost between £18,000 - £23,000 to experience the blend of vintage craftsmanship and muscular V8 performance.

Viewing is strongly encouraged, and this particular car is located with the vendor in Horsham, West Sussex. To arrange an appointment to inspect this vehicle, please use the ‘Enquire About This Vehicle’ button on the listing. Feel free to ask any questions, or try our ‘Frequently Asked Questions’.