2009 Morgan V6 Roadster

Finished in Merlot Red and Butterscotch leather, ‘BL09 MOG’ is a 2009 Morgan Roadster that’s been in the same family since 2012. Owned by father and son, it’s still only showing 20,000 miles on the odometer having spent a fair bit of its life in storage in the South of France.

Of course, it had to get there first, and the duo often stretched their road trips over three or four days, all the better to enjoy their Morgan – and to bask in the adoration it drew from bemused and impressed French passersby!

Last serviced in April 2024 by Williams Morgan, it has been upgraded with an alloy radiator plus the badges and Mota-Lita steering wheel from the Centenary model, upgrades that further up the ante on what was already a very desirable example.

We are told that “it's had factory paint protection on all the leading edges from new” and this foresight is reflecting in the condition of the coachwork, which is very good indeed. With good shutlines and a healthy shine to the Merlot Red paintwork, smaller details like the straight and perfectly aligned bonnet louvres make for a very beautiful sportscar.

The radiator grille adds to its good looks being an attractive mix of vertical slats with a honeycomb mesh behind. Free of dents and other damage, it’s got a very good shine to the chrome finish.

Other brightwork is minimal but what there is also shines well and is similarly free of rust and pitting; the Morgan’s limited use and careful curation is clear.

The vinyl soft-top, which is in good shape with no obvious wear or damage, fits very well and sits nice and taut on its (good) frame. It also folds down neatly under a good black cover, which is, of course, its rightful place as no self-respecting Morgan owner would want to be caught actually using it.

(There are side screens too, but you’re not going to be using them either, so the fact they also still look like new is only going to be relevant when you come to sell it. Assuming, of course, that you can ever bring yourself to let it go.)

Badges, light lenses, and window glazing are all above reproach, and the 15x6.5J Morgan-branded alloy wheels are free of scuffs, scrapes and other kerbing damage. This includes the full-size spare that sits on the rear of the Morgan underneath a useful chromed luggage rack.

The matching Avon tyres are in good shape with decent tread left on them, but they are now 15 years old, so replacing them would be prudent.

As for other stuff you’re going to want to sort out, our man noted some bubbling of the paintwork below both doors and to the rear body below the chrome bumper.

Other than that, the condition of the paintwork is excellent, the paint protection film having done a great job of preserving it from stonechips and other damage.

Finicky as he is, the only other flaws he could find were a few minor swirls and scratches, an area of peeling lacquer on the nearside bonnet, and an area on the offside running board that’s been touched-up.

The Butterscotch leather seats are trimmed with burgundy piping, which adds yet more elegance to a car for whom the line between the end of the exterior and the beginning of the interior and exterior is blurred.

The seats themselves are slim and thinly padded, but to conflate their shape with being uncomfortable would be a mistake as they’re a lovely place to be – and when the going gets a bit more urgent, you’ll be grateful for the heavily bolstered backrests that works in conjunction with the sills and transmission tunnel to hold you firmly in place.

As for their condition, they’re barely creased and show only modest wear to the outer edge of the driver’s seat, something that’s inevitable given their shape and is a price well worth paying for the security they give.

The door cards are simple in design but despite their minimalism they still manage to incorporate an elasticated pocket in each for bits and bobs like a phone and a map.

Which brings us neatly to the subject of where to put your bags. The luggage area might be a bit on the small side, but it is as well trimmed and presented as everywhere else, and there is always that lovely chrome luggage rack should you need to pack for a longer trip.

The Roadster is, as the seller can confirm, a surprisingly practical touring car.

The Centenary Mota-Lita steering wheel is as lovely to hold as it is to look at; fat-rimmed, leather-covered, and small in diameter, it fulfils its role of connecting you faithfully to the communicative chassis.

The instruments, which are both clear and comprehensive, are the classic white-on-black Smiths design and cover speed, distance covered, engine revs, fuel level, coolant temperature, time, and oil pressure.

The gearknob is a lovely alloy jobbie that’s shrouded by the same leather that’s used on the handbrake, transmission tunnel, sills, and padded dashboard top.

A warning triangle and a first aid kit are included, as is the personalised numberplate.

The stamped service history booklet that forms part of the Morgan’s history file includes the following stamps in it:

• 29.04.2024 and 20,217 miles – service by Williams Morgan including fresh brake fluid
• 21.05.2012 and 16,113 miles – service by Williams Morgan
• 16.05.2011 and 14,551 miles – service by Russell Paterson Morgan
• 18.05.2010 and 9,027 miles – service by Russell Paterson Morgan
• 17.06.2009 and 1,006 miles – service by Russell Paterson Morgan

The plastic and alloy radiator the factory fitted in 2009 was replaced with an upgraded fully alloy version supplied by Morgan in 2017.

As the video shows, the engine fires into life as easily as you’d expect given its modernity, and the combination of fuel injection and a carefully calibrated ECU means it also idles and revs perfectly; it might have humble origins, but no-one ever accused the Cyclone V6 of being either fussy or fragile.

Nor underpowered, of course: “It’s probably got a bit too much power for the chassis, but better that than too little!” the seller joked.

As for its cosmetic condition, it is both very clean and wonderfully accessible, so there’s no excuse for not keeping it in the same condition it is now.

The underside seems to bear evidence of having been rust-proofed, and the only corrosion we can see is the usual light smattering of surface rust on some of the steel components. In other words, nothing to worry about – and if you are bothered by it then it is trivial enough to be dealt with at your leisure.

The Morgan’s MoT certificate, which is valid until March 2026, was issued, like every single one before, with no advisories.

The recent Vehicle History Check is also clear, and the Roadster comes with three sets of keys, and the Morgan wallet and book pack.

The service by Williams Morgan in April 2024 included a checklist and some comments, and this is available online for potential bidders to see and is a useful third-party assessment of the car’s condition at that time.

A classic car is always a discretionary purchase, and few are more discretionary than a Morgan, but we bet that you, like many of us, have had a Roadster on your wish list for a while now.

Because the unique blend of vintage engineering and modern components delivers an unrivalled driving experience – if you have your doubts about the loss of the Rover V8, we can set your mind at ease because not only is the V6 engine lighter and more powerful, it also sits further back in the chassis making the Roadster a perfectly balanced front-mid-engined sportscar.

Delightfully analogue, we estimate the virtual hammer will fall somewhere between £25,000 and £30,000, which feels like good value for a well-maintained and beautifully presented example of one of Morgan’s finest.

We are happy to offer this car for auction with an estimate in the range of £25,000 - £30,000.

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 ‘Enquire About This Vehicle’ button on the listing. Feel free to ask any questions, or try our ‘Frequently Asked Questions’.