1933 Morgan Three-Wheeler Super Sports, Beetle Back • Show-Specification Car

First registered24 March 1933

RegistrationXJ 6336 - original and transferable

Chassis numberD174

Engine numberDTZE 94 H 31

EngineWater-cooled J.A.P. DTZ-based V-twin

Transmission3 forward gears plus reverse

MileageApprox. 8,000 miles since comprehensive rebuild

LocationLA6, North Lancashire

Asking price£26,500

A particularly interesting and extensively rebuilt 1933 Morgan Three-Wheeler Super Sports, understood to have been built to show specification and with a possible connection to the 1933 Olympia Motor Show in London. The car retains its original transferable registration, has a well-documented specialist rebuild history, and is a properly proven driving example rather than a static showpiece.

History and restoration

Acquired by the Wright family in approximately 1995 from just outside Blackpool, the Morgan was found in extremely dilapidated condition after a long period in storage. A tree had to be cut down simply to remove the car from the garage.

Following an initial restoration, the car subsequently suffered a serious fire in the late 1990s. From approximately 1999 it underwent a comprehensive nut-and-bolt reconstruction by respected Morgan Three-Wheeler specialist Roger Orford, including extensive body and chassis work.

The engine was rebuilt and developed separately by Alan Wright, with approximately £10,000 spent on the engine work. The Morgan has since covered approximately 8,000 miles, demonstrating that the car has been properly used, sorted and proven following its reconstruction.

Engine and induction

The car is fitted with a water-cooled J.A.P. DTZ-based V-twin, engine number DTZE 94 H 31. The DTZ-based bottom end is understood to employ a particularly robust heavy-duty bearing arrangement and was selected for strength and performance.

The precise swept capacity is still being confirmed. It has historically been described as 1,098cc; however, if the 103mm-stroke DTZ crankshaft was used during the Alan Wright rebuild, the actual capacity is likely to be approximately 1,200cc. For accuracy, the car is presently described simply as a J.A.P. DTZ-based water-cooled V-twin.

A modern Amal Concentric carburettor is currently fitted. The original twin-float Amal T29 carburettor is retained and accompanies the car. Ignition is by coil, using a modified magneto body for the contact-breaker points.

The original J.A.P. crankcases were retained after the fire and are also included with the sale - an important part of the car’s provenance.

Show-specification provenance

The Morgan is understood to have been built or finished to show specification. Most notably, the engine barrels were originally chrome plated - an unusual finish believed to support a possible connection with the 1933 Olympia Motor Show in London.

During the later engine rebuild, Alan Wright advised that the chrome plating was undesirable for heat dissipation. The chrome was therefore removed and the barrels refinished in black to improve cooling.

The precise Olympia connection has not yet been independently documented, so the car is offered as a show-specification example with possible 1933 Olympia provenance rather than as a definitively confirmed Olympia show car.

Transmission, brakes and electrics

Three forward gears plus reverse. The gearbox operates correctly.

The Morgan retains its original cable-operated braking arrangement: the large hand lever operates the two front brakes and the foot pedal operates the rear brake. The brakes are correctly adjusted and work well.

The electrical system has been sensibly upgraded for regular use to 12 volts with an alternator conversion. A replacement starter motor has also been fitted recently.

Exhaust and driving condition

A stainless-steel unbaffled exhaust system is fitted, giving the car a very substantial and characterful exhaust note.

The Morgan starts readily, runs and drives well, maintains good oil pressure, changes gear correctly, brakes properly and has functioning electrics. There are no known outstanding specialist mechanical jobs required. A Morgan Three Wheeler Club member also covered a fair mileage in the car a few years ago, further demonstrating its usability.

Colour and presentation

Body: light blue - ICI 12K. Chassis and wheels: red - PUR1851800. Tyres are described as virtually/as-new.

Equipment, original parts and spares

The car is supplied with a tonneau cover, Stork mascot, Klaxon horn, fire extinguisher and a safety oil shut-off valve to prevent oil draining down while the car is standing.

Also included are the original twin-float Amal T29 carburettor, the original J.A.P. crankcases and a selection of spares understood to include engine components/plates, bearings, chain, sprocket, inner tube, coconut-fibre matting and further miscellaneous Morgan/J.A.P. parts.