IsItAGoodCar
Reliability Guide

Common Problems with the
1950 Morgan Plus 4 / Plus 8 / Roadster (Classic)

The original Morgan Plus 4 launched at the 1950 Earls Court Motor Show with a 2.1-litre Standard Vanguard engine, soon replaced by Triumph TR2/TR3/TR4 2.0–2.1L units and upgraded with front disc brakes from 1959.

What changed for 1950

  • •Launch of the Plus 4 on a strengthened steel ladder chassis with traditional ash-wood body framing
  • •2,088cc Standard Vanguard OHV inline-four replaced from 1953 by Triumph TR2/TR3 (1,991cc) and TR4 (2,138cc) engines
  • •Girling 11-inch front disc brakes standardized from 1959 alongside cross-braced chassis refinements
  • •Available in 2-seater roadster, 4-seater tourer, and coachbuilt Drophead Coupé (DHC) body styles

Common MOT watch-outs

  • !Severe play in sliding pillar kingpins and bronze bushes due to neglected 1,000-mile greasing intervals
  • !Rot in the ash-wood sill runners, lower A-pillars, and rear wheelarch frames causing loose doors and body mounts
  • !Steel ladder chassis cross-member corrosion and seizing rear drum brake wheel cylinders
3
Known Issues
1
Serious
2
Moderate
0
Minor

All Known Issues

Ash Frame Rot

SeriousBodywork & Rust

The body panels are tacked to an ash wood frame. Moisture trapped behind the panels or under the wings can rot the wood.

Est. Repair Cost: £1,000–£5,000 (depending on extent)
Warning Signs:

Soft spots in the wood, Loose body panels, Doors dropping

What to Inspect:
  • Check the bottom of the "A" pillars and the rear wheel arches.
  • Look for "black" wood through access holes.
Verified by IsItAGoodCar Research Team

King Pin & Bush Wear

ModerateSuspension & Chassis

The traditional sliding pillar suspension relies on manual greasing. If missed, the pins and bushes wear, leading to poor handling and MOT failure.

Est. Repair Cost: £400–£800
Warning Signs:

Heavy steering, Steering "shimmy" or vibration, Uneven tyre wear

What to Inspect:
  • Jack up the front and check for vertical play in the hubs.
  • Verify the greasing history.
Verified by IsItAGoodCar Research Team

Galvanic Corrosion

ModerateBodywork & Rust

Aluminum body panels reacting with the steel chassis or fasteners can cause "bubbling" in the paint.

Est. Repair Cost: £500–£2,000
Warning Signs:

Bubbling paint on the wings or bonnet, White powdery residue at panel edges

What to Inspect:
  • Inspect panel edges and where the wings meet the chassis.
Verified by IsItAGoodCar Research Team

Buying Tips for 1950 Morgan Plus 4 / Plus 8 / Roadster (Classic)

  • Check the lower A-pillars and rear wheelarch woodwork with a moisture meter or probe for damp rot
  • Jack the front wheels clear of the ground to inspect for vertical and lateral play in the sliding pillar kingpins
  • Confirm whether Triumph-engined cars have hardened valve seats fitted for modern UK E10 unleaded petrol
1951–1967
Check a 1950 Morgan Plus 4 / Plus 8 / Roadster (Classic) by Registration