MAKING THE V8 MORGAN

1966 was a crucial year for Morgan, one that would make or break its fortunes. The engine that had powered its Plus 4 since 1950 was coming to an end; initially, power was supplied by the 2088cc unit from the Standard Vanguard, then the various engines that powered successive sidescreen Triumph TRs, culminating in the TR4.

Rover’s Peter Wilks offered chairman Peter Morgan a lifeline – agree to a merger with Solihull to produce a V8-engined sports car. Peter Morgan declined the merger but negotiated with Wilks to use Rover’s V8, repurposed from the Buick 215 engine that it had bought the rights to (and tooling for) the previous year.

Maurice Owen headed the Morgan Plus 8 project and managed to shoehorn the V8 into a modified Plus 4. The production Plus 8, launched in 1968, uses the same engine as the Rover 3500 P6.

The Plus 4’s Moss gearbox is also retained, linked to the engine with a larger diameter propshaft, as is the sliding pillar front suspension. The Plus 8’s body is two inches wider than the Plus 4’s to accommodate wider wheels, but the chassis (aside from being strengthened) is the same.

The Plus 8’s future was thrown into doubt by the merger of British Motor Holdings and the Leyland Motor Corporation. It was no longer Wilks’ permission which needed to be sought, but that of Deputy Managing Director, George Turnbull. BL Technical Director, Harry Webster, agreed to arrange a meeting with Turnbull at Malvern for him to give final approval. Turnbull was convinced following a test drive and the car was unveiled at the 1968 Earls Court Motor Show.