1997 Morgan 4/4 1.8L Petrol · PIL 8218

Every Morgan 4/4 uses the traditional sliding-pillar front suspension that dates back to 1909. Its king pins and phosphor-bronze bushes need regular greasing; if the interval is missed they wear, causing play in the front hubs, heavy steering, a shimmy through the wheel and uneven tyre wear - and excessive play is an MOT failure. Replacement means pressing out worn pins and bushes and re-setting the damper blades, work best left to a Morgan specialist.

The 4/4's body panels are fixed to an ash-wood frame, and moisture trapped behind panels, under wings or around door sills can rot the timber. Soft rockers below the doors, damp sill boards and loose or dropping doors are the warning signs; post-1986 cars had factory Cuprinol-treated wood, but earlier examples are higher risk. Structural wood repairs are expensive and should only be undertaken by a Morgan specialist familiar with traditional framing.

Before 1986 Morgan wings were attached to the car and then spray painted in situ, so when the body flexed the paint cracked and rust formed behind the wing panels. Aluminium wings rolled over a steel wire can also suffer electrolytic corrosion at their edges, and the front valance can rust where it meets the bulkhead. Paint blisters around wing-light bolts and headlamp nacelles are the first warning; severe cases need wing removal and panel beating by a Morgan-trained body shop.