Back in the summer of 1962, a Morgan Plus Four driven by Chris Lawrence and Richard Shepherd Baron finished 13th in the 24 Hours of Le Mans race. While the race-winning Ferrari 330 LM was more than 500 miles ahead after the round-the-clock run, the Morgan claimed a victory as it led all entrants in its class for cars with engines of 1,601 to 2,000cc.
In celebration of the 60th anniversary of that achievement, Morgan Motor Company is producing 62 Morgan Plus Four LM62 cars.
“The 1962 Le Mans class-winning Morgan Plus 4 holds a special place in the hearts of Morgan enthusiasts, employees and owners around the world,” company chairman Steve Morris is quoted in the Morgan news release. “It marked one of Morgan’s greatest motorsport achievements, the car covering more than 2,200 miles at an average running speed of almost 94 mph, and triumphing – like David vs Goliath – over our bigger, and better funded, rivals of the time.
“With the Morgan Plus Four LM62, we pay homage to this famous vehicle and incredible moment in time, 60 years on. Limited to just 62 individually numbered examples, the bespoke touches and enhanced level of standard specification make these cars an enticing proposition for customers wanting a piece of Morgan history.”
The 62 commemorative cars will be offered in left- or right-hand drive and with manual or automatic transmissions with prices starting at £78,995 ($107,850). In tribute to the Le Mans car and circuit, the new units will be available in either Morgan Jet Green (similar to the shade on the Le Mans racer) or in Morgan Tertre Rouge.
To improve aerodynamics, the Le Mans racer — TOK 258 — had a hardtop roof and a similar hardtop, painted Heritage White, and it will be available for the first time for a Plus Four on the 62 new examples.
“Further paying homage to the victorious Morgan is an LM62 graphics pack, which includes roundels with the number ‘29’ – as per TOK 258 – as well as an LM62 rear badge, silver-painted wire wheels, a Le Mans-style fuel filler cap and a domed rear panel,” Morgan reported in its announcement.
“These touches are complemented by driving spotlights, body-colored A-pillars, a black splitter and cowl mesh, polished stoneguard, black mohair sidescreens, a sidescreen bag embroidered with the LM62 logo, and an active sports exhaust with black tailpipes.
“Inside, the model is adorned with an LM62 metal plaque, displaying the car’s unique build number from its run of 62 examples, along with LM62 laser-engraved black saddle-leather door pulls and headrests embroidered with the specially designed LM62 graphic. Bespoke satin lacquer rubber mats with black vinyl edges, painted steering-wheel center, and a Tawny wood center-tunnel top and dashboard come fitted to the LM62 as standard, while heated black leather Comfort Plus seats with horizontal pleating, perforated seat centers and matching stitch color, complete with leather wrapped seat backs complete the interior aesthetic.”
Among the options are a soft-top roof and Moto-Lita steering wheel.
There simply is no car like the Morgan………………