The Morgan Plus 8 is a sports car built by British car makers Morgan from 1968 to 2004 and put back into production in revised form in 2012. Its instant and enduring popularity has been credited with saving the company and keeping the company famous during the first 36 years of its manufacture.
The Plus 8 prototype was based on a modified chassis from the Morgan Plus 4, altered to accept the Rover alloy block 3.5 L V8, paired with a 4-speed manual transmission. The Plus 8 was launched in 1968 using Rover's production engine. In 1996, the Rover 4.6 L engine became an option. Following the discontinuation of the Rover V8, production of Plus 8 ended in 2004. A revised Plus 8, powered by a 4.8-liter BMW V8 engine was introduced in 2012, which came with 6-speed manual transmission (6-speed automatic transmission optional).
The original 1968 Plus 8 was 57 inches (1,400 mm) wide and the last was 64 inches (1,600 mm) (with an optional "widebody" at 67 inches (1,700 mm)). For several years in the 1960s the Plus Eight was the fastest-accelerating UK production car.
To mark the 35th year of production of its Plus 8, MMC released a commemorative 'Anniversary Edition' in 2003.
Over the following half a century, approximately 6,000 Plus 8s have driven out through the gates of Morgan's Pickersleigh Road home. (wikipedia & netcarshow.com)
2018 Morgan Plus 8 50th Anniversary Edition
Morgan is celebrating its iconic V8-powered Plus 8, with a 50th Anniversary Edition. The family-owned British marque has officially unveiled the Morgan Plus 8 50th Anniversary Edition at the 2018 Geneva Motor Show.
The Morgan Plus 8 50th Anniversary Edition pays homage to one of Morgan's most celebrated models. Production will be limited to just 50 examples, each one hand-built and carrying a unique model number.
The Plus 8 50th Anniversary Edition has a lightweight aluminium chassis and a 4.8 L BMW V8 engine sits beneath the traditional Morgan body. At just 1,100kg, the Plus 8 is one of the lightest V8 passenger cars in the world and is capable of 0-62 mph in 4.5 seconds and a top speed of 155 mph. The Morgan Plus 8 50th Anniversary will be the last Morgan vehicle to feature the naturally aspirated BMW V8 engine.
The Plus 8 50th Anniversary Edition is available in two striking colours and two specifications - blue 'speedster style' with an open cockpit, or British Racing green 'traditional convertible' with a soft-top. Further white and yellow accents feature on both the blue and green variants of the car.
New five-stud wheels were specially commissioned for the Plus 8 50th Anniversary Edition. The addition of extra bonnet louvres and a leather bonnet belt hint at the aggressive nature of the V8 engine, whilst the number '8' painted onto the front grille is a direct inspiration of the racing days of the original Plus 8.
For the interior, a naturally waterproof black leather has been chosen to provide durability essential for vehicles without a roof. A highly detailed, twin-pleated stitch has been adopted for the seat centres, in accordance to the motorsport theme that carries throughout the interior and exterior. Specially designed dial faces complete the heritage feel of the matte-finished walnut dashboard. Available in both automatic and manual transmission variants, each Morgan Plus 8 50th Anniversary can also be specified as a right-hand or left-hand-drive model. (netcarshow.com)
The Morgan Plus 8 50th Anniversary Edition pays homage to one of Morgan's most celebrated models. Production will be limited to just 50 examples, each one hand-built and carrying a unique model number.
The Plus 8 50th Anniversary Edition has a lightweight aluminium chassis and a 4.8 L BMW V8 engine sits beneath the traditional Morgan body. At just 1,100kg, the Plus 8 is one of the lightest V8 passenger cars in the world and is capable of 0-62 mph in 4.5 seconds and a top speed of 155 mph. The Morgan Plus 8 50th Anniversary will be the last Morgan vehicle to feature the naturally aspirated BMW V8 engine.
The Plus 8 50th Anniversary Edition is available in two striking colours and two specifications - blue 'speedster style' with an open cockpit, or British Racing green 'traditional convertible' with a soft-top. Further white and yellow accents feature on both the blue and green variants of the car.
New five-stud wheels were specially commissioned for the Plus 8 50th Anniversary Edition. The addition of extra bonnet louvres and a leather bonnet belt hint at the aggressive nature of the V8 engine, whilst the number '8' painted onto the front grille is a direct inspiration of the racing days of the original Plus 8.
For the interior, a naturally waterproof black leather has been chosen to provide durability essential for vehicles without a roof. A highly detailed, twin-pleated stitch has been adopted for the seat centres, in accordance to the motorsport theme that carries throughout the interior and exterior. Specially designed dial faces complete the heritage feel of the matte-finished walnut dashboard. Available in both automatic and manual transmission variants, each Morgan Plus 8 50th Anniversary can also be specified as a right-hand or left-hand-drive model. (netcarshow.com)
(Photos from autoblog.com, evo.co.uk & conceptcarz.com)
