2018 Morgan Roadster

This is, we understand from the vendor the Geneva Motor Show display car. The car then went on to spend time as a Morgan press demonstrator. A glance online at multiple motoring media outlets does show a number of images of the car at Geneva then fitted with alternative wheels and the original headlamps, that are offered by the vendor with the car. Its custom colour and high specification certainly does lend considerable credence to the history as well as documentation supplied by the vendor.

It might have had a busy life with its first owner, but manufacturers tend to look after their working fleet, for obvious reasons. The car’s odometer shows just 11,753 miles covered since 2018, so just about 'Run In' we think. There are numerous options added to this vehicle, which also reinforce the vendor’s claim that this is a press car; as do the Morgan Motor Company licence plates fitted front and rear.

The paint finish, as mentioned above, wasn’t one of the standard five shades, but plenty of customers went off plan here. In fact, Morgan still offers any paint colour in the ICI Autocolour range (apparently more than 54k) for an additional cost. We’re a big fan of the Cibie spot lamps (with covers). There are boxed set of Morgan Halogen Headlights (The originals) supplied with the car a spare pair included in the sale as well. These can be easily swapped should the LED's currently fitted not be to the next owners taste. Those stunning 16-inch stainless-steel wire wheels are perhaps the most notable upgrade, other than the paint. They are wrapped in very healthy Avon ZV7 tyres too.

With such a bespoke, hand-built sports car it would be a sin to limit the owner’s imagination and that extends to the interior fabric and hue. This one has a lovely coffee-coloured hide cabin that contracts beautifully with the chrome fixtures and fittings. The exterior of this Roadster is near faultless with just a few light scratches to the top of the sills (offside) to worry the concours judge in all of us. However we believe this is in fact the Paint Protection Film that is scuffed rather than the paint itself. The car comes with a good hood and removable weather-guard door extensions (with accompanying Morgan-logo embossed stowage bags).

The brown leather is found extensively in the cabin, even covering the dash top and door locks. There are also some highly attractive pleated door pockets made from the same fabric. The Morgan logo can be seen stitched into the head restraints. In case you were wondering (we were too) that stitching on the steering wheel isn’t in the wrong place; it’s a Mota-Lita tradition to sew the fabric joint at 7 o’clock rather than six; it’s to keep it out of the driver’s eyeline apparently.

There are some light creases to the driver’s outer seat bolster and a few mucky marks to the bottom of the door cards, though we suspect the latter will just wipe off. It’s nice to peek into the door shuts and still see an ash body frame reminding you that Morgans are not just that little bit special, but also keep traditions alive. The modern world hasn’t been entirely shut out however, as there’s a ‘hidden’ Alpine CD/USB audio player under the dash, just in front of the fly-off handbrake lever.

Despite outward appearances, this is of course effectively a new car. There’s therefore not a lot to cause concern underneath. There’s plenty of paint and underseal still in place where the factory left it and only the condition of the exhaust (mildly rusty) really gives away the fact that this car hasn’t just left the showroom.

There are a number of rare options fitted to really max the spec on this special car:

- Rear disk brakes, we understand at a cost of £2500

- Air Conditioning, very rare on a Morgan

- Factory Sports exhaust which we understand from the Vendor was fitted for the Geneva Motor Show and sounds fabulous.

This is a hand-built vehicle made using traditional methods so expect to see some less than perfect applications of glue and rivets here and there – on the engine bay bulkhead for example – it’s just how they do things in Malvern and it’s a big part of the brand’s appeal. These aren’t anonymous mass-produced commuter boxes, they’re assembled by crafts people with care using some old-fashioned materials.

Despite not covering the required mileage, this Roadster has had not only its first service, but also its second. Both of which were carried out by the service department of the Morgan Motor Company. The car having covered just over 1000 miles since that last visit to HQ.

The only two invoices for work carried out include a new battery in February and a bill for £290.05 for the replacement of a leaky washer bottle in January of this year. The latter work was once again carried out at Morgan Service. 

Also worthy of note is the fact that this Roadster has had three owners and four plate changes to date. The first owner being Morgan Motor Cars, who then sold and bought the car back for resale. We understand Morgan then lost the V5c whilst the car was in their possession, the DVLA then issued a new V5 with Morgan Motor company again as the owner in error. Of course, the vendor offers the documents to clarify this ownership history.

The Morgan Roadster is powered by a 280bhp US-built 3.7-litre Cyclone/Duratec V6, which is mated to a six-speed manual Ford transmission. That gives it rapid and thrilling driver engagement. The performance comes without much in the way of driver aids too so you need to keep your wits about you to get the best from one of these special machines. That might be why the first few owners decided it wasn’t for them.

Though if you’re up to the challenge and count yourself among real driving enthusiasts, then few machines made can satisfy like a Morgan. There’s almost nothing available today that comes close to the analogue thrills of this old-school British muscle car, which is why we’re setting the Estimate for this one at £50,000 - £60,000.

Viewing is always encouraged and as stated this car is located at THE MARKET headquarters near Abingdon; we are open Mon-Fri, 9am-5pm and to arrange an appointment please use the ‘Contact Seller’ button at the top of the listing to make an appointment. Feel free to ask any questions or make observations in the comments section below, or try our ‘Frequently Asked Questions’.