“THE MORGAN OF TODAY,” R&T WROTE in September 1959, “is the Morgan of the past and, in all likelihood, the Morgan of the future.”
It has been 66 years now. There have been differences. But the appeal is the same: R&T said back then—and it still applies—“It would be grossly unfair to compare the Morgan directly with other sports cars being produced today.”
This and other images from R&T, September 1959.
Here are tidbits gleaned from this 1959 road test.
A Semi-Competition Model. R&T noted, “Our chance to renew acquaintance came when we were advised of a semi-competition model with the following extras available: aluminum body and fenders $175, competition exhaust system $125, disc brakes (front) $158, triple-laced wire wheels $195, finned aluminum oil sump $75, and electric fuel pump $25.” (Multiple by a little more than 10 to get 2025 dollars.)
“There are other accessories available,” R&T noted, “the wood-rim steering wheel and tonneau cover are examples. One extra item that we did not understand at all was offered for $40 and describes as ‘strengthened front frame and gearbox mounts.’ To us, this seems perfectly ridiculous.” Then follows a paragraph of justified complaint along the lines of “normal, applied to sports cars, includes racing.”
RHD and Dunlop Racing Rubber. “In any case,” R&T recounted, “our test car was fitted with all of the previously mentioned racing extras and, as a strong clue to the type of use that it will get, it had been ordered with right-hand drive.”
“Either left- or right-hand drive can be obtained on order.”
“This last item,” R&T explained, “won’t make the car go any faster in a straight line but will help the driver through the predominately right-hand turns on road circuits. The tires … were the latest in Dunlop racing rubber.”
A Relative Bargain. R&T cited the Morgan List price of $2850. To put this in perspective, a ’59 Austin-Healey Bugeye Sprite ad listed it at $1795 port of entry; a Triumph TR-3 Grand Touring cited $2675 port of entry; an Austin-Healey 3-Liter, an estimated $3395; a Porsche 1600 Convertible D, $3695; a Chevrolet Corvette, $4017, and an Arnolt-Bristol Bolide race-prepared, $4250.
The CPI Inflation Calculator equates the 1959 Morgan’s $2850 to $30,900 in today’s dollar; the Arnolt-Bristol’s to $46,079.
“Twin 6-volt batteries are carried under the luggage space.”
Still a Wood Superstructure. R&T recounted, “We are happy to report to fanciers of the traditional half-timbered English coachwork that carpentry is still a required skill on the Morgan team. Perhaps it is just as well that Morgan Motor Company has never decided to institute mass production of its cars.”
“If they were to do so,” R&T advised, “they might soon be committing such depredations on Sherwood Forest that Robin Hood and his Merrie Men would be left quite homeless. (For those of you who feel an impulse to leap to the defense of that legendary English outlaw, we must point out that, after all, the Morgan factory was there first.)”
A little Pickersleigh Road humour here. Besides, Google Maps shows the two are 119 miles apart.
A TC Recollection. “When we tested the 1955 Morgan with the TR-2 engine,” R&T recalled, “our report stated that the car reminded us of the old MG-TC with muscle. It still does but with even more muscle. The standard engine is now the TR-3, which has 100 bhp, and the optional competition engine, as fitted to our test car, has 106 bhp.”
“The twin SU carburetors meet a redesigned inlet manifold.”
R&T described, “The increased horsepower, lower weight and new gearing have made the Morgan into an even better quarter horse than it used to be. The standing quarter was covered in only 17.5 seconds, with a speed of 76 mph at the end. The same figures for the old car were 18.3 sec and 74 mph, respectively.
R&T Concluded in 1959: “By statistical standards, one can prove that the Morgan is out of date…. However, these other cars do not, and probably never can, inspire the kind of loyalty and affection that devoted Morgan owners give to their truculent beasties.”
Amen to that. ds
© Dennis Simanaitis, SimanaitisSays.com, 2025