Automotive

Morgan's Plus 8 Speedster: Old, but new ... and fast too

Morgan's Plus 8 Speedster: Old, but new ... and fast too
The Morgan Plus 8 Speedster does 0 to 62 mph (100 km/h) in 4.2 seconds
The Morgan Plus 8 Speedster does 0 to 62 mph (100 km/h) in 4.2 seconds
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The Morgan Plus Speedster is available in a choice of colors
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The Morgan Plus Speedster is available in a choice of colors
The Morgan Plus 8 Speedster with the bodywork off
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The Morgan Plus 8 Speedster with the bodywork off
The Morgan Plus Speedster with the top up
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The Morgan Plus Speedster with the top up
The Morgan Plus 8 Speedster's cockpit
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The Morgan Plus 8 Speedster's cockpit
The Morgan Plus Speedster with the top down
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The Morgan Plus Speedster with the top down
The Morgan Plus Speedster is a limited edition
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The Morgan Plus Speedster is a limited edition
The Morgan Plus Speedster is available from June of this year
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The Morgan Plus Speedster is available from June of this year
The Morgan Plus 8 Speedster has a long list of optional extras
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The Morgan Plus 8 Speedster has a long list of optional extras
The Morgan Plus 8 Speedster is stripped down for racing
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The Morgan Plus 8 Speedster is stripped down for racing
The Morgan Plus 8 Speedster taking off
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The Morgan Plus 8 Speedster taking off
The Morgan Plus 8 Speedster at the Santa Pod raceway
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The Morgan Plus 8 Speedster at the Santa Pod raceway
The Morgan Plus 8 Speedster has a V8 engine
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The Morgan Plus 8 Speedster has a V8 engine
The Morgan Plus 8 Speedster does 0 to 62 mph (100 km/h) in 4.2 seconds
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The Morgan Plus 8 Speedster does 0 to 62 mph (100 km/h) in 4.2 seconds
The Morgan Plus 8 Speedster is road legal
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The Morgan Plus 8 Speedster is road legal
The Morgan Plus 8 Speedster has an aluminum chassis
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The Morgan Plus 8 Speedster has an aluminum chassis
The Morgan Plus 8 Speedster begins production in June
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The Morgan Plus 8 Speedster begins production in June
View gallery - 16 images

For the past 45 years, the Morgan Plus 8 has been a head turner. With its classic lines and brutal V8 engine, it’s been very popular – especially in the US market. Now, to celebrate 100 years of car making at Morgan’s works in Pickersleigh Road, Malvern, Worcestershire, the car maker is rolling out the Morgan Plus 8 Speedster – a limited edition, stripped back, road-legal racing version of the open-top two seater.

Since it was introduced in 1968, the Morgan 8 Plus has stood out. With its V8 engine, it’s famous for the sort of acceleration and performance you’d expect from a well-engineered small car with a very big engine, and its sales are credited with saving the Morgan company in the ‘60s.

The Morgan Plus 8 Speedster is the latest iteration of the Plus 8 that's been whittled down to the basics. It features an aluminum chassis and a sub-1,100 kg (2,400 lb) weight designed for road holding and a power-to-weight ratio that Morgan says rivals any vehicle in its class. It has the distinct, classic high grille and sweeping wings of the Morgan brand and, in keeping with the Morgan tradition, the Speedster comes with a long list of optional extras for personalization. There's also a choice of 12 standard colors along with blue graphic accents, xenon headlights with headlamp washers, a union jack bonnet badge, a 100 year Pickersleigh Road signed chassis plate and perhaps the smallest windshield we've ever seen (potential buyers might want to consider a set of goggles). And just to keep things aerodynamic, there aren’t even any door handles.

The Morgan Plus 8 Speedster begins production in June
The Morgan Plus 8 Speedster begins production in June

Under the long bonnet there’s a 367 bhp, 4.8-liter BMW V8 engine feeding into a 6-speed manual or ZF 6-speed automatic gearbox, which adds up to 0 to 62 mph (100 km/h) in 4.2 seconds and a top speed limited to 148 mph (238 km/h). In the snug cockpit that are two leather seats available in black or tan with vertical pleated stitching, a leather rim Motolita wheel and an ambient lighting kit.

The Morgan Plus 8 Speedster is available in a very limited edition from June with delivery within a couple of months at a price of £69,995 (US$119,000).

Source: Morgan

View gallery - 16 images
7 comments
7 comments
BigGoofyGuy
I think that is really nice, retro cool. It is out of my price range but definitely on my list of dream cars.
VoiceofReason
$119K....I can think of a few I'd rather have that are at least as quick. Also that I could buy both a Mustang GT500 and Corvette convertibles that easily keep up with the Morgan.
If I wanted to go retro, the Caterham 7 will smoke the doors off of the Morgan for $47, 000 less.
Morgan does make nice stuff. Just very pricey
Yonian
"speed limited to 148 mph (238 km/h)"
Why that exact speed?
V rated tires are good for 149 (240) but the Plus 8 shouldn't go quite that fast? Very odd, but that's Morgan for you.
CaptD
This is the only thing that I've seen that reminds me of my '69 Lotus 7, too bad it is so darn expensive by a factor of 3...
Maybe they should consider making a much less expensive very basic model that has an electric motor in it for tooling around town, if they don't do it someone else will.
Martin Hone
No door handles ? Seems like some versions have them. I like the concept - a modern hotrod, but no comment about how you go from the small aero windscreens to the soft top with completely different windscreen. I think they are dreamin'
The Skud
If you are going to limit the top speed anyway, why not go with a smaller supercharged V6 for a lighter overall weight better mileage,and agility? I know people like the 'throb' of a V8, I have owned, and enjoyed, one myself, but in a smaller car it still seems like overkill.
Charlie Nudelman
To all those who say it is expensive: They are HANDMADE. One a one.... for british workers... receiving bristish wages... of course will be costly.