Lot Ended
Description
From a deceased estate; in the current ownership for 58 years; JAP
vee-twin engine; two-speed gearbox; highly correct and well-maintained;
resprayed eight years ago; former concours winner; fabulous
patina
Launched in
1909, the Morgan 3-wheeler was a common sight on British roads up until the
1930s, its popularity only diminishing when small cars such as the Austin Seven
and Morris Eight became cheap enough to tempt the buying public into these more
comfortable machines.
However, such was the pace
of the flyweight Morgan that it could outperform many a larger engined
four-wheeler and it enjoyed great success on the racetrack. Progressively
developed, the single rear-wheel-driven platform played host to a variety of
JAP, Matchless, Blackburne, Anzani and Ford power plants over the years.
Knowledge gained on the track led directly to a
road-going spin-off in the form of the Grand Prix model, introduced for 1914.
The first Aero sports model followed immediately after WWI. Subsequent
technological developments included the fitting of front brakes from 1924,
operated by a hand lever, and the introduction of a new chassis, the M-Type (to
replace the earlier B-Type) on the new Super Sports model in 1928.
In 1931 a conventional three-speed-plus-reverse
gearbox was introduced and the model name abbreviated to simply 'Super Sports',
the old two-speed transmission disappearing soon after. The
three-wheeler remained in production as late as 1952 although it is the
pre-1932 vee-twin models that are most prized today.
As the
enamalled plaque on the dash indicates, this Super Aero was supplied new by The
Light Car Company of Euston Road in London, being first registered in the
capital in April 1929. A buff logbook shows that by 1959 it was resident in
Staffordshire, moving back to Malvern in 1966.
On
offer here from a deceased estate, it was acquired by the current owner in
c.1968. We are told that the late-owner was a gifted engineer and inventor who
maintained the Morgan to his own high standards of engineering, and it remained
his pride and joy for the rest of his life.
The
buff logbook indicates that it was originally fitted with an AJS engine which
was replaced by the JAP engine currently fitted in 1966 (#J/TOR20025). Although
there is precious little other history with the vehicle, other than a few old
photographs and a letter from a previous owner, we are told that it has always
been kept in tip-top running order.
We are
further told that it was given a sympathetic ‘tidy up’ about eight years ago,
including a full repaint, a new high level exhaust and rebuilt
wheels.
Retaining its original B-Type chassis and signature sliding-pillar
independent front suspension, it also retains the correct bevel box to transfer
the power to the rear wheel via the twin chains, correct nickel silver radiator
cowl, two-speed gearbox and original-type cable brakes. Supplied with a full set
of weather equipment, it also comes with sundry useful
spares.
Well-known in Morgan circles, we are
further told that GU 1629 was widely regarded as one of the best-preserved
three-wheelers out there, a tankard showing that it won a Concours award at the
Morgan 60th Anniversary gathering at Prescott in
1970.
Interest in Morgans of this period has
never waned and the company's inspired decision to re-introduce a modern
three-wheeler in 2011 has brought the early cars to the attention of a new
audience.
This wonderfully preserved 1929
example, from devoted long-term ownership, will continue to draw crowds of
admirers wherever it goes and is no doubt capable of scooping some more
silverware on the show circuit, should the new owner feel so
inclined.
Consigned by James Dennison – 07970
309907 – james.dennison@brightwells.com