Handmade in the United Kingdom, the gorgeous, idiosyncratic, and wonderful three wheeler is available again for new century buyers

by matt Scanlon

Ours is a metropolitan area almost exhausted with our own excess, at least as far as cars are concerned. After a time, even extreme brands like upper-end Maseratis and Lamborghinis can become the stuff of tired pretense, leaving those with a zest for the truly unique to often wander in the auto wilderness.

There is a rare and perfect solution to this problem, however, out of Worcestershire, UK’s Morgan Motor Company. The maker (currently with just over 160 employees) has been painstakingly assembling sports cars for the real and imagined aristocracy since its founding by Henry Frederick Stanley Morgan in 1910. In the form of its Threewheeler (that’s right) convertible, the owner knew his body line design of the mid- 1930s was something like a painting in motion, and elected to essentially keep the car unchanged in basic styling, a tradition that continued after Morgan’s death in 1959. Its original capabilities (never mind tire count) were nothing short of astonishing, including a fuel efficiency of 50 miles to the gallon, a breakthrough lightweight body, and quick acceleration. In fact, the model won the French Grand Prix in 1913, and quickly formed the principal reason why Morgan Motor Co. became a success.

After a production hiatus, the Threewheeler was tuned for a new century in 2011, and is currently a gratifying fusion of high tech and classic design. Its sturdy tubular frame includes two rollover bars that surround the passenger compartment, a “bullet” shell that beautifully protects occupants from weather conditions, along with the unmistakable thrill Henry Morgan once described as “flying through the air.”

Barely more than 800 pounds in curb weight, the 2015 model sports an 80-hp motor (fused with a Mazda-made five-speed manual gearbox) that’s sufficient to propel the Threewheeler to a maximum speed of 115 miles an hour, and from 0 to 60 in an astonishing 4.5 seconds. Fuel-efficient, balanced, incredibly fun, and an eyecatcher of the infinite order, this hand-made and very limited-production-run car (Morgan churns out just shy of 700 a year) is a joy. Even more remarkable is that it can actually be had right here on the left side of the Atlantic, and for less than one might expect. United Kingdom buyers part with about $35,000 for the two-seater, though import fees and other add-ons will likely add another $10,000 for U.S. buyers. Still, when one considers the superb quality and rarity here, this just may be the ultimate in affordable super toys.

Morgan Cars of New England
70 County Route 7A, Copake, NY / 518.329.3877 / morgan-spares.com