Cosmetic
– Avus Blue metallic paint
– Stone leather with blue piping
– Blue carpets
– Blue mohair hood
– 19" Aero Max wheels
– Heated seats
– Stainless steel luggage rack
Mechanical
– 4.8 BMW V8
– 6-speed automatic
– AP Racing brakes
– Limited-slip differential
Some people just need a V8 in whatever they drive, if you're one of those then this Morgan is for you.
This Car
You can tell a great deal of care and attention has been given when this Morgan was originally commissioned. It strikes the perfect balance between eye-catching and tradition with its deep metallic blue paintwork, which retains an incredible lustre. Paired with the Stone coloured leather interior, and blue mohair hood and sidescreens, it's the perfect Morgan colour combination. It was optioned with the stunning 19" Aero Max wheels, which along with the dual exit quad exhaust pipes, give a subtle nod to the beast that lies within. A stainless luggage rack and lockable stowage box all help to add a dose of practicality for touring or trips further afield.
The car drives fantastically, the BMW V8 striking a great balance in giving relaxed V8 waft-ability when needed, but with a stretch of your big toe you can unleash asnarling wave of power whenever required. The pairing of the V8 to an automatic transmission is perfect and really suits the character of the car well, paddle shift is also on hand for more spirited driving when the occasion presents itself. The chassis is taught and nimble and is a significant step-up from the traditional ladder frame variety.
Find your favourite road and the combination of modern chassis, V8 power and V8 soundtrack is simply intoxicating.
The Model
The Plus 8 was introduced in 1968 as an answer to those who felt the Plus 4 was a little under powered at the time. The brief was simple, expand Morgan' market appeal by keeping the Morgan spirit (traditional styling, ash frame, coach built) but add a heady dose of V8 oomph. Initially this came in the form of a Rover 3.5 V8, it was well received and quickly became a mainstay of the range.
Fast forward to the 2000's, Morgan was still producing the Plus 8 in much the same fashion. Power was still provided by a now finite supply of Rover V8 engines and were still paired to the now very 'traditional' steel ladder frame chassis. Change was needed!
Fortunately, Morgan had already developed a well received, more modern platform which had been used on the Aero range of cars, which debuted with the Aero 8 in 2000. This new platform featured a bonded aluminium chassis, front double wishbone suspension and de dion rear, which was later updated to independant multi-link suspension. The Aero 8 however looked quite unlike an Morgan before, this was the car with the cross-eyed Mini sourced lights. Some loved the updated look, some still preferred the original, traditional styling Morgan is famed for. Either way, the cars drove incredibly, the mix of modern chassis and a now BMW-sourced V8 producing 362bhp ensured this model was the best driving Morgan yet.
So, come 2012, Morgan re-launched the Plus 8. It combined the traditional styling of old, with the modern underpinnings and drivetrain of the Aero 8, which is what we have here. A brute in a traditional Saville Row suit, a wolf in a sheep-skin jacket, an intoxicating mix of old and new, underpinned with the growl of a V8.
Summary
For the driver who is after a blend of timeless, classic style, mated to a modern chassis and a snarling V8, this is the car for you. Still built in the traditional way Morgan has always built cars using an ash wood frame and by hand using traditional coach building methods, this is a car with a classic soul but also modern underpinnings and reliability.
Motoring won't always be this sublime, catch it whilst you can.
