A review of the Morgan Four Four 1600 sports car, covering the development, important features and technical data of this the 10th model in the Morgan range.
In this article, I offer a nostalgic look at the Morgan Four Four 1600, one of an elite group of classic cars, which was manufactured during the period from 1968 to 1994.
In March 1968, production of the 5 Series 4/4 ended after a five-year run, in which a combined total of 640 Standard and Competition models had been built.
That same month, they were replaced, in the form of two- and four-seater convertibles, by the 4/4 1600.
This was powered by the 1599cc 4-cylinder Ford Kent engine, as used in the Ford Cortina saloon, along with a four-speed Ford gearbox.
At the same time, the 4/4 1600 Competition model was introduced, and fitted with the Ford 1600 GT engine, as used in the Cortina 1600 GT saloon.
Since there was little price difference between the two variants, customers tended to choose the Competition model over the standard.
As a result, in 1969, the Standard version was withdrawn and the Competition model continued, but without the “Competition” designation.
The standard Kent engine developed 70 hp, while the GT version produced 95.5 hp.
Between March 1968 and March 1982, when the Competition model was discontinued, a combined total of 3,513 units of both variants were built.
Between November 1981 and November 1985, the original 1599cc Ford engine was replaced by a Fiat 1584cc dual overhead cam unit, developing 98hp, combined with a Fiat five-speed gearbox.
During this period, a total of 96 units of this model were built.
Between March 1982 and November 1991, the 4/4 1600 was also powered by a 1,597cc Ford CVH engine, as used in the Ford Escort XR3 saloon.
This engine developed 96hp at 6,000rpm, had a five bearing crankshaft, was fitted with a Webber dual choke carburetor and had a 9: 1 compression ratio, and was connected to a Ford four-speed Cortina gearbox. .
In 1984, this four-speed unit was replaced by a five-speed gearbox, as used in the Ford Sierrra saloon.
As of November 1991, a total of 1,652 units of this variant had been produced.
In 1986, the original cams and pins steering system was replaced by a recirculating ball unit.
Finally, between November 1991 and February 1993, the 1597cc Ford CVH engine was fitted with electronic fuel ignition, increasing power to 100hp.
During this period, a total of 196 units of this variant were built.
This marked the end of the Morgan Four Four 1600
Perhaps this walk down memory lane could have answered, or at least shed light on, a possible question:
What Morgan sports car is it? You Favorite?
However, if this question still remains unanswered, I will review, in some detail, in future articles within this website, the entire range of Morgan sports cars that were featured in the memorable era spanning from 1911 to 1996.
I hope you will join me on my nostalgic travels “down sports car memory lane.”